It has begun...
 

A few hours ago the first batch of subscribed beta testers has received a key to participate in a pre-closed-beta phase.

Has anyone of you been lucky so far?

Not yet, but reports are coming in that keys have been issued to the following:
Miss V.Salt
Miss V.Beauregarde
Mr M.Teavee
Mr A.Gloop
and last but not least someone by the name of Charlie Bucket.

Hope I'm next!

Note that the German speakers are to be getting to play first... I presume this also may apply to the current test as its probably not localised yet either.

"We hereby announce that the official German Closed Beta will kick off this winter with a Beta localized in English following at a later date! There’s just one last step on the road to the Closed Beta;"

Have not heard anything yet

JeffG