I personally think it’s a very good idea. Halo 4 may have been able to be salvaged if it had one I think.
This gives 343 a little room to test some things, and if people don’t like some aspects, then it’s not something that will be in the final release.
I also think it builds some support as well for it, and some sustained interest. If it’s a really great beta, people are definitely going to be wanting to come back for the real thing.
Also, points have been made that the releasing of all other Halos to the world of Xbox Live again as a test is interesting at the least.
It will be a good way to see what style of gameplay is most favored. (Granted, the first 3 Halos didn’t differ nearly as significantly as the previous 2 releases.)
What do you guys think?
I think it was a smart idea because it will allow players to give 343 back feedback on how the game operates. Especially with it being released almost a year ahead of the estimated release for H5:G. However, even if people prefer an older style Halo and Halo 5 is completely different, I do not see them being able to make such drastic changes to the play style in that amount of time.
Without a doubt it was a smart idea. Also we have that beta near a year in advance… this means 343i has ample time to correct anything the community finds or deems terrible/game breaking.
Yes, having an beta for Halo 5 is a really smart idea.
I certainly believe it was a smart idea. It allows for a closer community, ease of feedback, allows for more possibilities to remedy scenarios that may not be favorable, and helps get the name out there sooner than release. I really appreciate that they’ve decided to run a beta like this, this time around.
It is. I’m glad 343 realized not having a public beta for H4 was a dumb thing to do.
The sad part is Frank O’Connor said if on the collection edition Halo 2 the most popular it will have no effect on the route they take for halo 5 and that only the halo 5 beta will changes be made.
I would say it’s a great idea.
I don’t believe it will have no effect on Halo 5 for a second if Halo 2 is by far the most popular game in the pool. I suppose the reason for saying that publicly though is to not -Yoink!- the testing pool so that they play what they want and gives 343 information about what they want.
I’ve always been a fan of Betas. It’s a great way to gather information directly from the players themselves. I’m just adapting to all this amazing Halo news we’ve now got to sink our teeth into! Super exciting all round!
A beta is very important. It does a lot to shape and help a game’s development. Halo 3 and Reach both had one, and they benefited greatly from this.
I had no idea Halo 3 had a beta.
Obviously every game has a beta, whether it’s closed or not is the issue. But I think it’s way more beneficial to have an open beta with thousands and hundreds of thousands of various people testing your product.
343 really has learned from many of there mistakes.
They want feedback for halo 5 multiplayer, they know they messed up H4 multiplayer a bit, and they want to show us that they can give us the Halo we want and deserve.
That’s what I’m getting from it anyways.
Honestly almost all of my doubts of the future of halo are pretty much gone now. I’m excited to see what happens next, I really am.
what do i think? i think i love you
I absolutely support it, especially being a beta build a year from release. It’s an actual beta test, not one of those “betas” that are essentially demos less than a month before release. This gives ample time to make some critical changes if we voice them.
Everyone beat me to it, but yes, a beta is a great idea. It gives feedback from sources outside production, allows people to actually make their own judgement calls, and provides an excellent time for people to play.
We get to be guinea pigs!!
Also, did anyone else notice that the beta ends on “1/17”? Smooth move, 343I. I see what you did there 
> A beta is very important. It does a lot to shape and help a game’s development. Halo 3 and Reach both had one, and they benefited greatly from this.
Reach was even -Yoink- in the beta??