Can I play the Beta in Single Player?

[Mack the Knife]

these are shega's words in the Sticky announcing the open beta:

"Players will be able to try out the new skirmish game mode"


and here's my question/concern:

isn't skirmish the single player component? if it is, i just downloaded the beta and skirmish is not a selectable option, only Multiplayer.
i don't play multiplayer, can i play this game in single player mode? if so, how and if not, why not??


can anyone clarify this for me? thanks