Microsoft has told MCV it believes that an exclusive beta key for Halo Reach will entice 360 owners to purchase Halo: ODST next week.
The FPS title is released on September 22nd in Europe, and offers players a chance to experience Halo: Reach – which isn’t released until next year – early.
Bungie-developed Reach was announced back in June during Microsoft’s E3 presentation.
Xbox head of entertainment Stephen McGill told MCV: 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.
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.
It’s a great way to extend the shelf life of the title at retail, and allows us to deliver some cool and creative sustained marketing activity around the game throughout 2010.”