The Beta itself consists of three maps - Valhalla, High Ground and Snowbound - graphically improved since our first MP screenshots - and all three will be playable in Matchmaking only (that is after all, what we're Beta testing here). All three maps are suitable for a wide variety of gameplay types, and you will have the chance to try all manner of game types, familiar and new.

There will also be new guns, vehicles and gameplay features to try - including the mysterious "X-Button" functionality.

There are a number of new features you'll get to test out - including a new grenade type, a completely different class of weapon and some of the enhanced online functionality we plan to bring to the game - but it should be noted, a lot of secret features are hidden in this Beta.

You will see frame rate skips, unfinished animation and graphical features that will change come Fall. All the footage is clearly marked Alpha. You're looking at the features here folks, not the final quality bar - which we've set pretty high. Your next taste of that will be in May.

The BETA is set to end at 1159 PDT on June the 6th. Set your calendars go out and pick up Crackdown and leave your loved ones now.