On Tuesday Microsoft released a long overdue demo for Halo: Reach, exclusive to Xbox LIVE Gold members. Thankfully the demo is now open to everyone on LIVE, although the online multiplayer components of the sample are naturally locked for Free members.

The release of the demo coincides with a week-long price promotion on the “Games on Demand” version of the title. The reduced price on this item is $39/€39/£39 until 30 May - that’s a saving of 33%. Unfortunately no similar promotion is currently running on Xbox LIVE South Africa (it’s still R599).

The demo is 1.74 GB and features a mission entitled “Long Night of Solace” from midway through the single player campaign. There’s also the competitive multiplayer map “Powerhouse” to enjoy, as well as one scenario from the co-operative Firefight mode to play split-screen or online.

If you’re at work this morning and are keen to have a look at the demo when you get home, the easiest way to get all your ducks in a row is to go to www.xbox.com, sign into your Xbox profile and add the demo to your download queue. After you turn your Xbox on and the demo is finished downloading, you can put your feet up, relax, squeeze a trigger or two and thank the guy who provided this protip.