Microsoft held a coming out party in West Hollywood for its beta-ready system seller Halo 3 last night, giving many of Hollywood's leading bit players a chance to get hands-on time with the game. Oh, and me, too.

In addition to letting semi-recognizable names like Jon Heder, Dane Cook, Geoffrey Rush, Aisha Tyler, and Josh Duhamel get some Halo 3 time in, guests were treated to thousands of tiny snacks and all the booze they could swallow. The limited edition Halo Mountain Dew Game Fuel was available and adult beverage recipes featuring the sugary soda were featured at the bar.

As there was little to the party beyond pseudo-celebrity hobnobbing and Halo 3 beta playing, the gathering ended a little early. Few of the promise featured attendees actually showed up, but a few unlisted surprise guests made appearances. Not long after the departure of sisters Paris and Nicky Hilton—yes, she did pick up an Xbox 360 controller—did the Microsoft-sponsored festivities wind down. By 11:30, Quixote Studios was looking rather empty and I was looking for an In & Out Burger.

Photos from the event, including many shots of people standing next to a Master Chief, in the gallery below. (Oh yeah, Halo 3 looks pretty in motion, but you probably know that.) Michael McWhertor

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