Alpha test "soon"

[Kafeen]

I'd hazard to guess there's a good chance they'll shut down the forums save special Alpha- and Beta-only sections for testers.

I don't think so; it would be a mistake if they did. They've realised now how important the community is to the game, they should strive to keep it together. If the forums are closed, many people will move to other forums and break apart the community here as many may not come back once reopened.