The Halo: Reach multiplayer beta open to those that bought Halo 3: ODST will launch on May 3, Microsoft revealed today during its X10 celebration of all things Xbox.

Said beta will provide "the opportunity to drive the latest advancements in multiplayer gameplay," according to the company. Among those advancements is the addition of Call of Duty-style perks, with players unlocking new abilities as they gain experience.

"Halo: Reach beta will require a hard drive and Gold membership," noted Microsoft.

Series creator Bungie pulled a similar promotion with Halo 3--offering beta access to those who purchased Crackdown--with Reach, an Xbox 360-exclusive, due this fall.

The first footage of Halo: Reach premiered during the Spike Video Game Awards this evening, providing an in-game look at Bungie's next Xbox 360 exclusive. Little is known of the fall-due game--a prequel detailing the fall of titular planet Reach--with a multiplayer beta coming to Halo 3: ODST owners in spring.

Microsoft's social hub for all things Halo-related successfully launched yesterday, and the new animated show "Halo Legends" will kick off tomorrow.

Halo Waypoint is being dubbed "the new virtual home for all things Halo." Launched yesterday as part of the Xbox Live service, Waypoint will serve as a social hub for Halo players, as well as a place to go for daily updates of Halo-related content. Microsoft promises "daily updates of fresh, exciting content such as developer interviews, trailers and screenshots, exclusive video footage, community activities and the latest Halo news."

With less than a month to go before Halo 3: ODST hits retailers, Microsoft is stepping up the marketing campaign for the Xbox 360-exclusive shooter with this live-action spot. Due September 22, Bungie's standalone prequel includes an all new campaign, every Halo 3 multiplayer map (plus three new ones) and beta access to Halo Reach.