How does this whole ';beta'; working in Gaming?

i just got into gaming 4 months ago and kickin a** hah but How does this whole beta thing works? Im new to t. so can someone please explain to me what it is and how it works..please tell everything i should/need to know about it thanks!How does this whole ';beta'; working in Gaming?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_re鈥?/a>How does this whole ';beta'; working in Gaming?
Uh, well, ';Beta'; is usually used to refer to an unfinished game that is still in testing/near end development phases. Similarly, ';Alpha'; is an earlier product. Usually ';Betas'; are open to limited testing by test players/lucky or privileged users. A Beta phase in the development where players can try it out helps speed the bug testing and balance of a game and usually precedes the release of the final product. Hope this helps.
A beta is a half working game, so bugs n glitches ( walkign through walls etc)


Closed/Private Beta's tend to be for either dealt wiht in house, or outsourced to proffesioanl beta testers.


Some games are Open Betas, these are ususally invite only, either by bieng an active gamer, getitng pre-orders, raffles etc.





Its goes -


Alpha(very bare bones game,base code, basic gfx etc) -%26gt; Beta -%26gt; Gold(working full game ready for manufacture) -%26gt; Release(working game to buy off the shelf)