What is the draw with Beta Keys?

From what i see, they are like extended demo's of games. I guess it makes sense if you have backed a game on kickstarter for instance, and can give feedback on a game.

But i see alot of these beta keys being handed out, and i'm wondering why people get so worked up about them.

Do you get beta keys, have you ever used them, and why?

I could play games all year long for free, solely with the beta keys I get at PAX. Sometimes you get in at the "ground floor" for competitive games, get a chance to work out what you like and join a group of folks as a guild/clan more easily. Some people enjoy giving feedback and shaping the game. Some people simply enjoy watching this process as the game evolves.

I dunno, I'm playing several in beta games right now, as well as tons of released games.

I had no idea beta keys would be given out at gaming trade shows like PAX.

It makes sense if you think about it, convention attenders are by definition very interested in gaming, there's probably a perception that's somewhat grounded in reality (I'm not sure how much), that you're more likely to get actual feedback on your game and player evangelism from someone like that. Both of those things are actually highly sought after by the industry, they don't always know what to do with feedback, but they sometimes can use it to improve your game (an example: go give feedback about Dead Island, they're working on Riptide right now and I assure you your feedback will be both appreciated and seriously considered).

Some beta keys get taken away upon release of the game (like Guns of Icarus and Tower Wars) as they want you to purchase it.

Other developers will update your key to finished release.

Obviously if it's a game you pre-ordered and you have beta for it, they'll let you keep it and update it once it goes gold (like Fallen Enchantress, Driftmoon and A Valley without Wind)

I don't really care for beta access unless it's for a game I own because I pre-ordered or the developer is going to update my beta to gold and let me keep it.

Beta keys are one of the best things that happened to gaming lately. It basically lets a community directly partake in a game's development and change direction in which a videogame goes in the future. And it's free games. What's not to like?