'Halo Wars 2' Release Date, News & Update: Public Beta To Start At Microsoft's E3 2016 Press Conference?

"Halo Wars 2" by developer Creative Assembly will see the public beta start at Microsoft's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2016 conference. News surfaced that fans waiting for "Halo Wars 2" should be able to play the new Creative Assembly game as early as Monday.

IGN reports that a "Halo Wars 2" leak from Mondo Xbox may have let Microsoft's cat out of the bag. According to the Mondo Xbox site, Microsoft is planning an open beta of their new real-time strategy game based in the Halo universe, and sequel to the original Xbox 360 hit, "Halo Wars 2."

Based on the leak the "Halo Wars 2" open beta will run for one week from June 13 (Monday) to June 20 (Friday), which are the days of Microsoft's press conference. "Halo Wars 2" should be available to fans as early as the first day of Microsoft's event.

The "Halo Wars 2" open beta is not singular as beta releases have become more and more commonplace recently, with Blizzard's "Overwatch," Bethesda and Id Software's "Doom" and EA's "Star Wars Battlefront" just a few of the titles to receive public betas. Originally targeted as a necessary part of software development, over the years betas have become more and more akin to marketing events.

Much speculation has surrounded Microsoft's "Halo Wars 2," which is produced by developer Creative Assembly. This is the same developer as the PC strategy game "Total War." Microsoft has not been forthcoming with many details other than an official trailer on "Halo Wars 2."

At the time of writing no official word has been released by Microsoft on this "Halo Wars 2" news. However, announcement relating to the "Halo Wars 2" beta is expected to be reflected in the Microsoft site shortly.

For the time being, it is unknown if the new Creative Assembly game will be a prequel (like "HW1") or if "Halo Wars 2" will continue with the new Forerunner trilogy. What is certain, however, is the Covenant will play a part in the "Halo Wars 2" game's story line as the Brute was present in the trailer released several months ago.