Well we used to get patches on the test server. We used to get prelim. notes. We used to get the chance to give feedback on prelim. patch notes (although we were ignored on our input, we were still able to give it based on notes). We used to have official communication from FC (Cz). It seems all of this is happening a LOT less as of late. This constant patching (that don't even fix the bugs the 'after the fact" notes state were fixed, for instance the rubberbanding to black doors bug. So it would appear they are making all these patches and putting them straight to the live servers. We the players are paying 13 bucks a month to beta test. And considering there seems to be a patch every other day we are in a constant state of beta testing them. I have beta tested many many software packages within the last 10 years and can't recall being charged for any. I do remember actually being paid for doing so by obtaining said completed software for free on a couple of occasions though.
Of course all the lil peachy happy people that don't see any of this as negative and will find some not so creative ways to flame me while supporting this new anti communication policy will be blind to the facts I stated above. That's all fine though because I've always enjoyed the right to say "I told you so" in the end.