Halo: Reach Gets Release Date; Millions Played The Beta

The Halo: Reach beta was kind of a big deal. According to Microsoft, just about 2.7 million dudes logged onto the Internet and gave Bungie's latest online FPS test a spin, collectively racking up over 1,826 years of play time (16 million hours) over the mere two weeks the Halo: ODST-tied download was available. Those are impressive numbers, for sure -- but they're not as impressive as the amount of people who were, undoubtedly, gifted a diverse verbal bouquet of unflattering, yet spectacularly creative dirty names to use on others courtesy of the experience.   
 
Speaking of Reach, Microsoft and Bungie confirmed this lovely morning that Reach itself will hit in September as expected. The game's worldwide launch kicks off September 14th, with a Japanese release on the 15th. We've been told by an incredibly unreliable source that two dudes have already lined up in front of a GameStop in Alaska in preparation for its inevitable midnight launch party. They have chairs; they have sleeping bags; and oh yes, they have empty bottles. 
 
The Reach beta officially ended on May 20th, making a many sad panda out of the deep pool of beta testers. Considering the numbers, we're guessing that more than a few of you gave Reach a shot. If you somehow managed to missed it, we got your back: Brad and Drew gave Vinny a lesson on the maps, modes, and weapons that were available in the beta before it was thick with players.
 
     
 
You're ready for September, right?