Halo: Reach beta will sell ODST, says Microsoft

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.”

To read our full interview with Stephen McGill, click here.