Hi-Rez Studios announced today that the first phase of the Tribes: Ascend closed beta will begin within the next few weeks. Players can apply to participate in the test on the game's official site. Here are some more details on the beta:

"During this initial beta phase, Tribes: Ascend players will experience 4 multiplayer maps, 2 game-modes and 3 vehicles as they progress thru 12 playable classes in fast-paced, high-flying online multiplayer matches of up to 32 people.

Hi-Rez Studios will continue to increase the number of beta participants through the end of this year in preparation for a general game release in Q1 of 2012."

If you haven't watched it yet, be sure to check out the recent Tribes: Ascend teaser gameplay video. The free-to-play shooter will pave the way for Hi-Rez's Tribes Universe, a persistent world MMOFPS that can handle large-scale combat.