Halo: The Master Chief Collection dev wants you to beta test the game's next patch

Halo developer 343 Industries says it's working on a new content update for Halo: The Master Chief Collection that's substantial enough to warrant its own beta test. The upcoming beta for the Xbox One collection, which had a buggy launch and matchmaking troubles for weeks, will roll out this Friday.

343 Industries says it's been doing "extensive internal testing" of its next update for The Master Chief Collection, but that given the scale of the changes, "we are expanding testing to include select members of the Xbox One Preview program to ensure the official release is the best possible experience for all players."

The content update includes changes to the game's matchmaking and party system.

Players will need to opt-in to beta testing as part of the Xbox One Preview program — and they'll need to own a copy of The Master Chief Collection. The content update test is limited to select Xbox One players in North America, 343 says, to "ensure optimal population" during testing hours. The developer says its looking for Halo players with "the highest levels of engagement."

Xbox One owners who are selected will be notified of an update to Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Jan. 23. More details on the beta are available at 343 Industries' FAQ.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which includes four full Halo games, was released this past November and was plagued with online and matchmaking issues. The issues with the game were so severe that 343 Industries apologized for the game's continued issues and offered early adopters free content in an attempt to make-good. The developer has issued numerous updates to address the game's matchmaking woes.