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Can’t wait for ‘Halo 3’? Get an early taste online

A few select fans of “Halo 3” — maybe a million or so — are getting a sneak preview of Microsoft’s highly anticipated video game.

The software company plans to release the next installment of the sci-fi shooter series Sept. 25, but hard-core fans can begin a three-week trial run of the game now in online multiplayer mode.

Those wanting to download and play the game (through June 6) must have the Microsoft Xbox 360 console system connected to the Xbox Live online network.

A secret code can be found in special packages of another Microsoft game, “Crackdown” ($60).

“This is going to be the first look at playing Halo in high resolution,” said Harold Ryan, studio manager for game developer Bungie. “There’s a lot more stuff to play with.”

“Halo 3” is Microsoft’s not-so-secret weapon for its 18-month-old Xbox 360 in the ongoing video game war against the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3, each released in November.

When Microsoft brought the original Xbox to market in November 2000, Halo helped the fledgling system gain a foothold against industry veterans Nintendo and Sony. “Halo 2,” released in 2004, became the top-selling Xbox game ever; combined, the “Halo” games have sold nearly 15 million copies.

After hosting press previews May 11 in New York and San Francisco, Microsoft threw a big Hollywood “Halo 3” party May 15 to show off the game to stars such as Justin Timberlake. Its price will range from $60 to $130 (for the “Legendary Edition” in a helmet case).

Online games played on computers often get tested in imperfect “beta” versions, but that is rarely the case for console games. However, “Halo” is as popular for its online multiplayer battle modes as it is for its single-player sci-fi story line. About 5 million people have played “Halo 2” online. So far, about 900,000 have bought “Crackdown” since its February release, so at least that many could participate in the test.

“We knew the beta was going to be available, so we thought, ‘Why not blow it out and make it available to as many people as possible and really make an event out of it?’ ” said Craig Davison, director of marketing at Microsoft. (Microsoft purchased Bungie in 2000 before launching its first Xbox.) “It also gives Bungie a great way to make sure everything is ready for launch.”

Michael Chauvet of online game site EvilAvatar.com compares the “Halo” franchise to “The Godfather.” “It’s probably as big as a game can get. It’s a franchise that is so beloved, and it’s quality.”

Three new environments — the wooded and waterfall-laden Valhalla, the rocky High Ground and the Hoth-like Snowbound — and several new weapons will be previewed.

But players shouldn’t expect clues to “Halo 3’s” story line. “It’s a little bit of a tease,” said Geoff Keighley of Spike TV’s “Game Head” show. “But for these three weeks, these players are going to have a ton of fun experimenting.”

What’s new in Halo 3

Here’s an idea of what to expect from Halo 3:

• The powerful Spartan laser can be used to stop vehicles. This directed energy weapon’s battery conservation scheme requires a user to “paint” its target during a brief charge lag. A zoomed scope will assist in aiming. It’s slow, but one of the most powerful portable armaments in your arsenal.

• A bubble shield creates a Sue Storm-like protective bubble around you, preventing weapon fire. Its spherical shape is large enough to protect a small group, but users, or more importantly, enemy troops, can pass through it on foot or in vehicles.

• A portable gravity lift propels you airborne to strategic heights and hard-to-get spots. The GravLift emits a column of directed anti-gravity force. This device is a simple but effective means of giving materiel or troops a quick vertical lift.

• Man Cannons are stationary airlifts at certain locations that propel you to different spots. They can “shoot” men or vehicles.

• Spike grenades can be thrown to stick onto opponents and the environment.

• The Mongoose four-wheeled ATV holds two Spartans.

• A new game play mode called “VIP” makes one player on a team the most important target - the team can’t be defeated unless he’s snuffed out.

• Two new single-use items that can be used offensively or defensively include the Energy Drain and Tripmine. The Energy Drain is a short-range magnetic-induction effect causing disastrous failure of powered field systems within a set radius. It also has a damaging effect on biological systems and can wound or kill most bipeds. Basically, if you see it, get away quick.

• The Tripmine reacts to pressure or movement. It has a slight magnetic impulse that will attach it to vehicles, turning them into deadly traps, or it can be placed on the ground to blast careless interlopers. The mine has two states - inactive and active - learning to see and hear the difference can be a matter of life or death.

Mike Snider writes for USA Today.