ˈoʊpən bˈeɪɾə bɪɡˈæn ɪn dᵻsˈɛmbɚ tˈuː θˈaʊzənd sˈɪks, ænd bˈeɪɾə ɐkˈaʊnts kʊd biː ɐkwˈaɪɚd vˈaɪəɹ ɐn ɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən fɹʌm ɐn ɛɡzˈɪstɪŋ plˈeɪɚ ɔːɹ θɹuː ðɪ ˈɛn sˈiːsˈɔft wˈɛbsaɪt.
Open Beta began in December 2006, and Beta accounts could be acquired via an invitation from an existing player or through the NCsoft website.