Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has confirmed today the schedule for Metal Gear Online's Beta in Europe. The region will be able to test the game starting April 21st to May 6th.

The European PlayStation Store will offer the Metal Gear Online Premiere Beta software on April 17th to those who want to sample the game. Two maps, “Blood Bath” and “Groznyi Grad”, will be included in the beta for testing.

Metal Gear Online will launch as part of Guns of the Patriots in June as a Starter Pack, comprising five unique stages including “Ambush Alley,” where trenches and sandbags litter an arena built for close and medium range combat; “Blood Bath,” a two-tier battle setting; and “Groznyi Grad,” the expansive Shagohod development complex from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater which features human catapults that propel players to different areas of the environment.

Rounding out the five stage set are the dusty, Middle Eastern alleyways found in Guns of the Patriots entitled “Midtown Maelstrom,” and the rooftop settings of “Urban Ultimatum”. An expansion to Metal Gear Online is planned for launch within the year.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots launches on June 12th, 2008.  All is looking good for this anticipated PS3 exclusive to deliver the experience it promises.