Microsoft knows that the Halo 3 beta sold copies of Crackdown, and at least one company representative believes that the Halo: Reach beta — a thing that is packed in with every copy of Halo: ODST — will sell copies of the upcoming Halo title to both potential and old fans alike.
“The only way to access this beta will be through the Halo 3: ODST disc, so we feel there’s another extremely compelling reason for both fans and newcomers to the franchise to experience Halo 3: ODST,” Microsoft’s head of gaming and entertainment devices UK, Stephen McGill, revealed to MCV in a recent interview.
“We saw the success of this mechanic with the Halo 3 multiplayer beta that came on the Crackdown game disc and the continued sales momentum and excitement generated around that title throughout its lifecycle, and we fully expect Halo 3: ODST to exceed that achievement,” McGill said.
McGill added that the Reach beta is a “great way” to puff up Halo: ODST’s shelf life, and it should give Microsoft marketers plenty of ammo to use for the title in 2010.
Of course, we’re pretty sure ODST doesn’t need the boost — price gouging or not, this game will sell like hotcakes Halo. Still, McGill’s comments are interesting: are any of you planning to buy ODST just for the Reach beta?
