Mack - I believe, but am not certain, that a closed Beta means it requires payment. I'm not sure if this payment then means you get the full-game by default too though..
They will then, as you say, be allowed to download the game and play it prior to the release date. I also think they are required or encouraged to be active on the DMS forums to assist with bug finding and squashing.
The reason why they were waiting for 10,000 was because they had hoped the reward of an open beta would encourage people to boost interest/awareness in the game - It seems to have worked.
I don't think joining the group to make the 10,000 actually required pre-ordering, it was just to show how many people are interested in having an open-beta.
Personally i would of thought it'd make more sense to just allow it to be an open-beta from the get go. The more people finding bugs for you the less chance of some game-breaking bug to appear on release day.
But of course then they would of missed out on the marketting opportunity.
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