Microsoft just announced that a new minute-long spot for Halo 3 will be airing on Dec. 4 on ESPN Monday Night Football and Xbox.com in Europe.

The commercial will "offer viewers an exclusive look at the iconic Halo universe and provide telling, new hints as to what Bungie Studios has in store for the highly regarded game."

More interestingly, the commercial, which airs between 5:50 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. PST on ESPN and 8 p.m. PST on Xbox.com, will include a mix of live action and computer generated animation. That's right, live-action Halo baby.

Once it airs, the commercial, created by the McCann Worldgroup in San Francisco, will hit Xbox Live Marketplace.

Microsoft also announced details for the Halo 3 public beta program set to kick-off this coming spring. Hit the jump for the full release. Brian Crecente

Exclusive Halo 3 Trailer Makes Broadcast Debut Viewers to See Master Chief Like He's Never Been Seen Before

Fans worldwide can experience a thrilling look at the most anticipated game of 2007 with a special 60-second Halo 3 trailer; Microsoft announces first chance for North American gamers to participate in the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta by entering at Halo3.com.

Humanity is about to experience another exciting look at the world of Halo 3, one of the most anticipated entertainment launches for 2007. Airing in North America, Monday, Dec. 4 on ESPN s Monday Night Football and Xbox.com in Europe, the new 60-second Halo 3 trailer will offer viewers an exclusive look at the iconic Halo universe and provide telling, new hints as to what Bungie Studios has in store for the highly regarded game, which is published by Microsoft Game Studios and exclusive to Xbox 360.

Fans can tune in to ESPN on Monday, Dec. 4 between 5:50 and 6:20 p.m. PST to catch this stunning new look at Halo 3. Additionally, the ad will be aired that same evening on Xbox.com at 8 p.m. PST /04.00 GMT/05.00 CET (Tuesday, Dec. 5).

The ad, created by McCann Worldgroup San Francisco, includes a mixture of live action and computer generated animation, will air one time only and will then be made available online worldwide through Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox.com.

Halo is a pop culture phenomenon! The Halo franchise has changed the face of interactive entertainment and it's only fitting that we take an innovative approach to how we market and advertise the brand," said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. "This invites a new audience with a rich back story, and continues to galvanize gamers around the world for the launch of Halo 3 in 2007.

In conjunction with the ad, Microsoft today unveiled further details and an official call to entry for the Halo 3 beta program. Beginning Monday, Dec. 4, by visiting http://www.halo3.com, gamers in North America will be able to register for the opportunity to be one of the select members to join the unprecedented Halo 3 public beta program, scheduled to kick off in spring 2007. Today s announcement confirms the first path of entry for gamers to participate in the beta program and be among the first to experience the most anticipated game of 2007.

The Xbox Live multiplayer public beta, which is a pre-release version of the multiplayer experience of Halo 3, is scheduled for availability in spring 2007 exclusively on Xbox 360. This beta also represents an opportunity for gamers to participate in the development of Halo 3. Through the resulting feedback, Bungie Studios will be able to further refine and hone the end result of Halo 3.

Unveiled earlier this year at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, Halo 3 represents the third chapter in the Halo trilogy, an international award-winning action series that grew into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.7 million units worldwide, which equals nearly $700 million in sales, and logging in excess of 800 million hours of multiplayer action on Xbox Live.