It is amazing that the most anticipated game of the coming months isn’t even a retail release but that the way the strange world of games goes.

The beta testing of Halo 3 is expected to start within the next couple of months but there’s still no official nod from Bungie Studios as to exactly when. The first two phases of entry have, however, closed.

To help gamers get ready for the testing Bungie have posted a list of FAQs on the official website (see below for link). These give waiting gamers a hint as to what to expect.

The testing will allow all invitees to play at the same time, instead of in waves as is common, and the party system that allows groups of friends to play will be in the Beta.

There’ll also be new weapons like the Spartan laser, and Bungie will let on what the function of the "x" button is.

General manager of Microsoft Game Studios Phil Spencer said of the Beta, “It isn’t really a tease. We’re not looking at the beta as a way to string someone along in hopes that they may go and buy Halo 3 when it finally comes out. We have a ton of confidence in that story and that game. We really look at it as a way of testing the technology and making sure that some of our more far-reaching design goals are being met”.

>> Link - Official Site/Bungie