Several contests, detailed here http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/news/community_beta_key_giveaway.php
Time to get workin on some limericks...
I'll start a limerick critique thread in the back room (this forum is visible to non-members / google searches)
For the one at Twitch TV, they're giving away a key on the hour, every hour. Just login a bit before the hour and tweet the codeword to enter, and then the guy rolls randomly and announces on the stream who the winner is.
Saw someone win already (lucky bastard).
Here's another contest: http://www.gamerheadlines.com/wildstar-beta-key-giveaway/
I read somewhere Wildstar beta keys are going for up to $200 bucks. >_<
Betas are fantastic, but should be treated with restraint and caution, nothing worse than being sick of a game by the time it comes out.
I love it when I can get into betas, but I also love the freshness of a new games launch day. Tricky to balance.
I have a feeling they will start sending out more keys- they know they are the hottest MMO ticket out there, and have to be ready for the stampede (even pre-open beta).
When I get into betas, I just use them to get a feel for the different classes so I can settle on a main prior to launch.
As much as one class might look more fun than another class on paper, it's hard to really tell which one you like most until you actually get in there and play them.
I wasted a month or two of EQ on necromancer, which I was sure was the class for me, until someone talked me into trying a bard.
I wasted a month or two of WoW on shadow priest, which I was sure was the class for me, until I gave hunter a try. I played hunter for about a year, until someone talked me into trying a paladin.
So betas are good for me to try out a few different classes without any pressure that I'm falling behind my friends, etc :)
Those are good points, Syll. :)
In both SWTOR and GW2, my first max level character did not end up my main. I think beta experimentation can help, for sure. Given the limited number of classes in Wildstar, I expect I'll have one of each!
I know I read somewhere that there is going to be an open beta at some point (I would guess it would be 2-4 weeks long). So keys or not, the doors have to open sometime!