I would suggest to launch a pre-test-pre-alpha in order to get optimum optimistic notions from those who pre-purchased the game. That sand sim you've built looked awesome and i can't wait to get my hands on it and build deadly ant-farms and stuff.
Heya Tuxu. The game is already in a Private Alpha (yes alpha not beta) for a limited group of people. That's enough like the most of other games, to give us a stable enough BETA when it's ready!