Red 5 announces the promised open beta testing of Firefall, which is basically a soft launch for the free-to-play open world shooter, evidenced by the sale of Starter Packs for the beta. A new live action trailer celebrates the news as does the Firefall Fest, which will present live streams for the next couple of days along with other special events. Here's word on the game:

Firefall, an upcoming free-to-play MMO shooter, is set in a unique and beautiful science fiction universe 200 years in the future. Players are part of the last remnant of humanity on Earth, fighting to survive against all odds on a hostile planet ravaged by an aggressive energy storm and under attack by a mysterious humanoid race, known as the Chosen. One of the most anticipated PC games of 2013, Firefall consists of two triple-A components that will entice shooter fans: a polished PvP combat system tuned for elite-level eSports competition and a robust open world experience designed to immerse players in a deep storyline with dynamic events and social gameplay.