seen at the SOE site  (posted 2 days ago)

www.freerealms.com/article/detail.action

The wait is almost over! The development team and everyone in the company have been testing the game internally for a long time. We are very pleased with the progress.

Next up, the “Closed Beta” stage!

‘Closed Beta’ is the time before the game is open to everyone. During the closed beta the game team works with the beta testers (that will be you) to make sure everything has been tested and is working properly. Whenever something in the game isn’t working, it is called a “bug.” Beta testers play the game and report any bugs that they find to us. It’s fun and it gives you a chance to play the game before your friends!

We will invite only a few players to the beta at the beginning of the closed beta. Each week we will invite more and more players to join us. If you are not in the first round or two of invitations, don’t worry. You will get your chance. Keep checking your email for an invitation!

seen at this fansite

www.freerealmsforums.com/forums/showthread.php

Without breaking NDA, I can say:
Free Realms is slated for release in early May, with beta rumored for mid-April "

Well i mean, if your saying that closed beta has just started...and there still needs to be open beta...then launch..and it's already about mid april...i highly doubt it will be released in the beginning of may. Usually they beta test atelast a few weeks in each phase. I wouldn't be surprised if it came out earliest June.

Is there an NDA for this game?

I doubt this is the sort of game any jaded MMO player who plays WoW, War, EQ2, or any of those more mature MMO's is going to be able to appreshiate. It's very clearly designed for what kids want and how kids learn and play games, so there will probably be more hand-holding then an experienced player is used to. So just take any 'reviews" from 35 year old raiders with a grain of salt :) the game isn't made for them, so they might not find alot to hold their interest.

Originally posted by Varking

Is there an NDA for this game?

Like most Closed Beta, you're not supposed to talk about it.

Forums on the official site have now opened so hopefully this is an indication that they will be taking more Beta applicants soon other than from internal sources.