Destiny Beta Coming This Summer

Get hooked two months in advance of the real deal.

Activision confirmed today that the beta for its upcoming MMO first-person shooter Destiny will be available in July.

Destiny is set in a post-apocalyptic future in which Guardians, the last line of defense following a catastrophic event that rendered humans nearly extinct, defend the last intact human city on Earth from hostile aliens. The ambitious title, developed by Bungie, is due September 9 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One and Xbox 360.

With an expected $500 million slated for development and promotion, Destiny could be the most expensive game ever made -- though Activision and Bungie, creators of the Halo franchise, hope to recoup that initial output over what the companies hope will be a 10-year lifespan for the title.