2.7 million gamers reach for 'Halo'

[May 24, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- More than 2.7 million people have logged onto the video game "Halo: Reach," the upcoming prequel to the first-person shooter trilogy starring super-soldier Master Chief.

Developer Bungie Studios announced Monday that players collectively logged more than 16 million hours and more than 1.1 billion virtual kills during the 18-day public beta test of the game's multiplayer mode. It was also announced that "Halo: Reach" launches worldwide on Sept. 14 and in Japan on Sept. 15.

Xbox 360 users who bought last year's "Halo" spin-off "Halo 3: ODST" were provided access to the beta test, which ran from May 3 to May 20. The gamemakers will use information recorded during the test to tweak the game, which pits blaster-wielding soldiers against each other.

[Associated Press; By DERRIK J. LANG]

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