Beta

From Styleguide

beta

A pre-release, nearly feature-complete version of a videogame that’s more advanced, from a development standpoint, than an alpha version.

In many cases, a developer releases beta code through a beta test to identify bugs before a game’s final release. Beta tests can be public (open to everyone) or private (open to a select group of invited testers). Anyone taking part in a public or private beta test is a beta tester.

A beta version can be referred to simply as a beta on all references. Do not refer to a version of a game as beta unless the game’s developer or publisher has done the same.

Example: Three lucky reviewers were given a chance to play the Halo 2 beta two months before the game’s scheduled release.

Wrong: beta build, beta game.

Also see: alpha, bug, gold master.