When it was announced that Halo: The Master Chief Collection would feature access to the Halo 5: Guardians‘ multiplayer beta, the first thing to cross everyone’s mind was “When can we get our hands on it?” Well, in an announcement released earlier today by Halo Waypoint, players can expect to go hands on this year on December 27, and will run for a little over three weeks, ending on January 22,. The official blurb is as follows.

“Be among the first to experience a new generation of Halo multiplayer in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta, starting on December 27, 2014. Gear up for the Guardians beta by unlocking exclusive content in The Master Chief Collection and Halo: Nightfall. These exclusive items will carry over into Halo 5: Guardians.”

As far as what we will be able to expect from gameplay, the Design Director for 343 Industries had a few things to say that made many, myself included, very happy. I suspect it will do the same for you.

In addition to the beta launch date and a few gameplay details, we also got a few details regarding the digital feature, Halo: Nightfall. Like Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, the live action series is streaming only, with episodes releasing on a weekly basis. You’ll need an Xbox One or a Windows 8.1 device to view the series, but that goes without being said.

Thoughts? Happy? Sad? Excited? Let us know in the comments! And for those who have yet to see it, I’ve taken the liberty of embedding the official beta trailer for your viewing pleasure. I hope you like it as much as I do.

[via, Halo Waypoint]