Microsoft has today confirmed that the long-awaited Halo 3 multiplayer beta will go live at 1pm GMT on May 16th – but keen shooter fans will only have until 7:59pm on June 7th to get their fill of Bungie’s latest.

The beta will give gamers their first chance to sample three new levels, as well some of the new game types and weapons set to be included in the full version due out later this year. The trial will also provide developer Bungie with information that will be used in the ongoing development process.

The beta will be open to those who purchased the Halo 3 beta labelled version of Real Time World’s Crackdown, as well as those who fulfilled Microsoft’s rigorous registration requirements.

“Halo and Halo 2 changed the face of console gaming forever,” corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios Shane Kim stated. “Gamers from around the world have logged more than 800 million hours on Xbox Live playing Halo 2, and years after its launch it remains the number one title on our Xbox Live network.

“Bringing an early look at the multiplayer elements of Halo 3 to our passionate fan base is tremendously exciting for us.”