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What Is a Video Game Beta? Types, Purpose & What to Expect

Unfinished: Bugs, missing content, placeholder assets are normal.
Progress Wipes: Beta progress rarely carries to launch.
Feedback Matters: Devs use player reports to fix bugs and adjust balance.
NDAs: Closed alphas/betas often forbid streaming/sharing.

A beta is a pre-release version of a game distributed to players for testing, feedback, and stress-testing before launch.

Phase	Audience	Focus	Access
Alpha	Internal devs + select testers	Core mechanics, major bugs, stability	Invite-only, NDA
Closed Beta	Invited players (often by application)	Gameplay balance, broader bug hunting, server load	Invite/key required
Open Beta	Public	Massive server stress, marketing hype, final polish feedback	Free download

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