yeah public as in strict NDAs and a selection process.
you guys are what qduffy refer to as their "most rabid fans". i mean i like the game myself but i'm not going to defend it if it sucks. the fact that they don't want to have something as common as an open beta (which is more of a 'try before you buy' kinda thing nowadays) sends off a serious red flag. someone else mentioned that maybe it's because SEGA doesn't want to lose pre-orders - and that's exactly the point. what would cause them to worry about that? maybe the game itself isn't that good? it shows a lack of confidence in their product.
i doubt that. if ppl cancel preorders, it will be for a variety of reasons other than having a bad product.
ppl cancel preorders because their opinion of balance isnt met (U.S. OP! OKW OP!), or because vcoh americans were "better".
i doubt many people will say "the basic game mechanics are flawed/ the graphics are substandard/ the game lacks creativity".