While it doesn't look like there's any co-op game modes to be found in the official trailer for the Halo Reach multiplayer beta, it does give us a good idea of some of the new moves you'll be able to pull off in the game.

The biggest revelation is the addition of jetpacks to your character, making the game much more vertical than it previously was.  Also present is a lot more agility to your character with sprinting and rolling making an appearance, giving it an almost Gears of War like vibe.  We also see a lot of hand to hand combat taking place, which should make things very interesting.  The beta launches on May 3rd and despite it's versus only modes, we're pretty stoked.

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We've previously covered, through various post-mortems and look-back interviews, how Bungie had considered Matchmaking for Halo 3: ODST, but how it was ultimately shot down due to the time and effort that would have been involved with such an undertaking.  Well last Friday OXM UK heard from Bungie's community boss, Brian Jarrard, that Bungie's biggest regret was "not being able to go back and make Firefight in ODST work and have match-making."

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SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 was released this week on the PSP, complete with four player local and online co-op.  But if you want access to any of the game's online modes, including the co-op and versus modes, you're going to have to jump through a few hoops to get it.  Why? Sony says it's to combat piracy.

To play online you'll need a PlayStation Network account as well as an additional "activation step" which comes in the form of an online voucher included in the game's box.  It's a minor annoyance, and one that's automated for the digital version of the game, but it is an annoyance none the less.  

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Despite our best guesses, and that's all they were...guesses, the official fact sheet for Halo Reach has hit our inboxes.  Even though there is a focus on six different Spartans in Noble Squad for the Halo Reach campaign, the game won't support six player co-op, but instead support the traditional four found in previous Halo titles Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST.

Though we're slightly disappointed at least Bungie took the steps to add in co-op matchmaking.  The fact sheet goes on to say the game will support split screen, screen shots, videos, and "exciting new surprises" yet to be revealed.  

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Welcome to Beyond Co-Op, a weekly piece that talks about industry stories that may or may not be related to co-op gaming.

The stories for this week:

- Mega Man 10 Gets Staggered Release Across Platforms
- Microsoft's X10 Brings Lots of News
- Activision Swings the Axe: Luxoflux Shuttered, Other Studios Slashed
- Wrong About BioShock 2, Not Sure on Dante’s Inferno Yet
- Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth Only Notable Release This Week
 

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Despite the high praises we gave Halo 3: ODST we had one major complaint - no cooperative match making.  The excuse that was given at the time was a lack of resources, co-op matchmaking was something the Halo 3 engine wasn't capable of, and Bungie didn't have the manpower or time to alter it.  

With Halo Reach on the horizon Bungie has been quiet as to weather or not this feature would make it in the game.  Believe it or not the game is still using the Halo 3 engine, though one that's heavily modified.  Did co-op match making make the cut?

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As Microsoft's X10 event continues, more and more details about Bungie's upcoming Halo title are (ahem) coming into reach.  The official start date for the Halo Reach multiplayer beta is May 3.  If you have a copy of Halo 3: ODST, you can participate in the beta.  If Bungie follows the pattern for the Halo 3 beta, it's likely Reach will be versus multiplayer only, though we here at Co-Optimus are holding out for a Firefight-like mode as well.

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Continuing their month-long coverage of Bungie's next title in the Halo franchise, Halo Reach, Game Informer has posted a video that features creative director Marcus Lehto talking a little bit more about the game.  While subscribers to the magazine will likely already be familiar with much of what Marcus talks about, e.g., the six-man Spartan team, the graphics engine updates, and the weapons, there is one little bit towards the end that hasn't been covered extensively: armor abilities.

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We've been going on and on about leaked screens this and leaked screens that for Halo Reach.  You're tired of it.  You want some hi-definition Spartan glory to grace your monitor - none of this magazine scan, iPhone picture of someone's monitor, pixelated crap that passes as a "screenshot."

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It seems like every other week now we get another leak from Bungie's Halo Reach.  Whether it's a suspicious video, screens, or really really blurry screens - plenty of goodies from the game have hit the internet.  

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