As a way of honoring the fifth anniversary of the original Halo, Microsoft Game Studios and developer Bungie Studios have announced that an Xbox Live multiplayer public beta of Halo 3 will be made available next spring to give gamers a taste of what multiplayer will be like in the next installment of Microsoft's flagship franchise.

Bungie will then use this input to fine tune the game's multiplayer before its release, which of course hasn't been pinned down yet. "This beta... represents an opportunity for gamers worldwide to participate in the development of Halo 3," said Microsoft in a statement. "Through the resulting feedback, Bungie Studios will be able to further refine and hone the end result of Halo 3."

Also coming next spring is new, premium downloadable content for Halo 2. Pricing for these maps has not yet been announced. "Since its original release, Halo 2 has redefined online play, delivering superior multiplayer capabilities in addition to an incredible social experience, and nurturing a constantly growing community through Xbox Live," said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. "After five years of rabid fan interest in the Halo franchise and with more than 4 million users and counting on Xbox Live worldwide, this is the perfect time to invite fans to join the global Halo phenomenon."

Finally, for gamers who can't wait to see some more of Halo 3, Microsoft also announced that on December 4 a brand new 60-second commercial will air on ESPN during Monday Night Football. This one-time advertising spot by ad agency McCann Erickson, "will provide viewers with a unique and compelling look at Master Chief and the world of Halo 3."

The ad will also be available for download on Marketplace, and gamers in Europe will be able to check out the ad simultaneously with North America by visiting Xbox.com.