Get ready to dust off your copies of Crackdown ladies and gents because Bungie just announced the Multiplayer beta will go live as of May 16th at 12:00 AM PDT and run through June 6th at 11:59 PM PDT. Here are some of the new things you will get a chance to test:

• The Beta itself consists of three maps – Valhalla, High Ground and Snowbound – graphically improved since our first MP screenshots – and all three will be playable in Matchmaking only (that is after all, what we’re Beta testing here). All three maps are suitable for a wide variety of gameplay types, and you will have the chance to try all manner of game types, familiar and new.
• There are a number of new features you’ll get to test out – including a new grenade type, a completely different class of weapon and some of the enhanced online functionality we plan to bring to the game – but it should be noted, a lot of secret features are hidden in this Beta. We’re keeping a lot of our powder dry for Fall. In May, when your firing the Spiker, sniping vehicles with the Spartan Laser and sticking fools with the Brute Spike grenade, remember that it’s just a peek-a-boo fraction of what’s to come.
• There will also be new guns, vehicles and gameplay features to try – including the mysterious “X-Button” functionality.

Frankie of Bungie does warn us though that this is just a beta and will have “quirks”, so if your Master Chief can walk through walls now, don’t think that is a new feature. Enjoy!