I think that the beta will give a better impression of the course of an entire game than the PAX version, though, because it's not designed to be played in 10 minutes. Also, the generals will probably get their minions.

My understanding is that beta 1 is just to see if it works at all and will have most of the stuff removed.

This is true. However, there should still be enough features to tell what the basic progression of the game is like and it, unlike the PAX version will not be deliberately unbalanced. At least the sins one had most of the framework (mostly). The beta will have the entire run of the game. It may have a small selection of items, or a small selection of demigods, but the main elements are there, which for demigod, should include leveling.

YAY! Full item shop!

You guys really need a more relible edit system:

Is that an early pick of 50? or all 150?

Indeed, we brainstorm new items all the time and we imagine beta testers will be heavily involved as well.

Yay! So EVERYONE that bought the Pre-Release (Before Now) is invited to the beta? Just trying to confirm info.

As far as I know, yes. I haven't seen anywhere mentioning it being full.

My understanding is that Pre-Orders were in the Beta.

Yay regulus but id rather take unclean beast whatever itll be fun playing with these 3 during the beta

I really like playing Regulus. I had more fun playing him than the others.

Excellent. This should be a lot of fun.

Hats off to the staff Stardock had at PAX.  I was amazed by the booth they put up, it was one of the best organized and largest booths at PAX, which I wasn't expecting from them.  The staff members showing off and explaining the games were great, I discussed DotA with one of them and the influence it had on Demigod at some length.  They really put their hearts into these games which usually results in very good games.  I find that companies and developers that don't love their game end up producing shitty games (imagine that). 

Anyway, Stardock really stole some wind from the larger companies at PAX.  I would say only Valve's Left 4 Dead booth and Blizzard's Starcraft II topped Demigod (and maybe Fallout 3).  Valve and Blizzard's booths were mayhem and they didn't have a very good method of turn over in terms of people getting to test the game.  They were also under manned so you ended up getting almost no information about the game whatsoever besides gameplay.