EA said on Wednesday that the multiplayer beta for Crysis 3 will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC (gasp!) from January 29 to February 12. It will include two team-based modes (Crash Site and Hunter), two maps (Airport and Museum), and a new feature called New York Feed which is an in-game social feed that will showcase the accomplishments of gamers and their friends while offering dynamic challenges to complete.
"With Crysis 3 we are delivering the deepest, most robust Crysis multiplayer experience yet," said Cevat Yerli, CEO of Crytek. "We have listened closely to our fans and have evolved the multiplayer in Crysis 3 by adding a host of new gameplay features including the unique Hunter mode, deadly new weapons like the Predator bow, deeper loadout and unlock options, enhanced upgrade systems and more social features."
One of the new features offered in the beta will be Rip & Throw, allowing players to interact with the elements of the environment to use as weapons or shields. They'll also have access to the Pinger, a "fearsome alien tripod war machine that can be used to devastating effect."
Here's a bit more on the two available game modes offered in the beta:
Crash Site
In this mode, players must secure and defend specific locations, earning points along the way for kills and their ability to hold those locations.
Hunter
This asymmetrical, time based mode pits two players vs. ten (two vs. 14 on PC) in matches that begin with two cloaked hunters stalking 10 opposing CELL troopers. Armed only with enhanced Nanosuits and the lethal Predator bow, hunters must systematically stalk and kill the CELL operatives, who in turn must work together as a team as they fight to stay alive before the round ends. The twist is that once a CELL trooper is killed, that player will then respawn as a hunter, joining the others in their attempt to eliminate the remaining CELL operatives before the clock strikes zero.
On Wednesday EA said that gamers who pre-purchase Crysis 3 before its launch will be upgraded to the Crysis 3 Hunter Edition. They will also receive a free copy of the original Crysis for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Windows PC, depending on their platform of choice.
The Hunter Edition will offer instant access to the new Predator bow and its attachments plus the Hunter Nanosuit module, which adds additional power and functionality to the super-suit. Hunter Edition will also provide a head start when playing online with a bonus XP boost up to level 5, a unique Predator bow skin and three exclusive dog tags to hunt in style.
For the system requirements for the PC version, head here. Crysis 3 will be available in North America on February 19, 2013 and in Europe on February 21, 2013. Happy hunting.
