Cindy "Abigale" Bowens answers all your beta questions.

Rift: Planes of Telara Senior Community Manager Cindy "Abigale" Bowens has just released a FAQ for the upcoming beta. As the company gears up for the beta, Abigale assures players that there will be plenty of events happening and a lot of chances to get in on all the Rift action.

Players can obtain beta codes and VIP beta keys through several of the game's fan sites and contests that are happening all over the web. Abigale encourages fans to hand out any extra keys they may have accumulated to friends and keep checking your email for an invite into one of the many upcoming beta events.

Players who have already received VIP keys will automatically be eligible for all beta events.

For more information about the upcoming beta, check out the official Rift: Planes of Telara page and read the full FAQ after the jump.

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Hi, All-

We will answer the questions we can about beta in this thread. We will make updates to this post as needed.

When does Beta start?
Beta dates have not been announced yet.

How do I sign up for beta?
If you had a Trion account before 10/1/10, you are already signed up! Your code is the same as if you got a code at a convention or from the comic book. A code gives you a greater chance to get into beta. If you signed up after that date, you still have a chance at beta. But keep watching for codes that will increase your chances!

I just got a beta key. What should I do with it?
Login to your Trion Worlds account or create an account if you don’t already have one, and enter the code in the box indicated.

Why should I want a beta code?
A beta code can be applied to your Trion Worlds account to give you a better chance of being selected for Rift: Planes of Telara beta events. Trion will also be giving out VIP beta codes that grant access to all Rift: Planes of Telara beta events.

Where can I get a beta code?
Beta codes will be given out through numerous methods, so keep up with us across your favorite social media sites to find out when and where to watch for codes. Keep an eye out for VIP beta keys that grant access to all Rift: Planes of Telara beta events.

Where do I get the beta client?
If you are selected to participate, information on when and where to download the beta client will be sent to you.

How do I know if I’ve been invited?
If you are selected, you will be notified by email. Make sure you have opted in on your account to receive emails.

What is the difference between a Community Code and a VIP Code?
The community code gets you a chance at being selected for a beta event. A VIP code gives you access to all beta events.

Do codes stack?
You only need one code. They do not stack. Though you may have submitted more than one code, the system will only see the highest one. So if you had a community code and you add a VIP code, the VIP code is the one that the system will use. If you have a spare code, you should give it to a friend!

If I have a Community Key, is there a way to get a VIP key?
Yes! Watch for contests here on our forum, our FaceBook page and our Twitter page. Our Official Fansites may also be running contests with VIP codes as prizes.

How many of these beta events will there be? How many players per event? How long will each event run?
Details on specific events will not be made public at this time. Participants will be selected to meet the needs of testing.

Will guild invites be events or longer?
Guild invites will be to meet the needs of testing. They will be invited at various times depending on what the team needs to test.

Can I participate in multiple events?
Yes. If you are selected for an event, afterwards, your code goes back into the pool. So you may be selected again for another event!

Will EU and Oceanic players be able to participate?
Yes. The codes we are handing out work for our players overseas as well.

What if we can’t play during the event we are invited for? Rain checks?
We don’t have a way for players to choose to enter a future beta (no mechanism exists for that). If you can’t play during the event, you’re still eligible for future events.

Are the beta events the only testing that is being done on Rift?
No. Our alpha server has been up and running for some time and will continue to be up as long as we need it. There are already people in it from these forums. As we need more testers, we will be inviting more from the community. We have already received a huge amount of feedback and have responded by making some changes. We will continue to look to the people in alpha to supply us with feedback.