User blog comment:Sannse/Your First Look at the New Wikia/@comment-4133-20100824235737/@comment-8-20100825170446

We've found in the past that test wikis don't get the use needed for real feedback - people try them for a moment and then move back to the real wikis. So the beta is allowing people to see all wikis in the new look, as they make their regular edits.

There are a couple of reasons for limiting the initial numbers: we need to have a steady stream of feedback that we can manage and process; we want to make sure we have a balanced mix of users (newbies, power-users, casual users etc.); we want to increase the numbers on the new skin gradually, so we can see the effects on the site; and, as Mendel says, it will help to have fresh eyes on the site as we make adjustments.