Phase 2 of participant selection for the Halo 3 beta has come and gone and someone somewhere should be ashamed. For the record, as far as I can tell I succeeded in getting in and even if I did not, I already pre-ordered the Xbox 360 game Crackdown (pre-ordered and specially marked copies include a beta invite). So, it is without personal anger that I criticize the whole affair.

Phase 1 of the beta was a free-for-all sign up with a chance to be selected based on whatever criteria Bungie saw fit. Phase 3 just requires that you purchase a special copy of Crackdown. Phase 2 is the one that required real, genuine work. Yes, hopefuls had to slave away for three hours playing Halo 2 on Xbox Live. I know, I know--the absolute horror of it all.