If you're adding a specific thing, such as Thargoids or Megaships or whatever, it's probably fairly easy to beta-test.
You add the thing, see if anybody can find a way to screw it up, and if they can't you're set for release.
With something like 3.0, though, it's all a bit more vague.
There's quite a bit of specific stuff but there's a lot of "framework" stuff too.
With the latter, it's not just about testing to see if it works, superficially, as intended.
You have to (if you're doing a proper job, at least) look at all the data for all the people who were involved with that stuff and verify that it had the intended effect on them.
Do murder-hobos get a sufficient slap for their actions?
Do generally lawful players get unduly penalised for one careless action?
Have people found ways to profit from the new mechanic by operating as a group?
Are there any circumstances where the new mechanics leave people in an untenable position?
There's probably a whole heap of stuff they need to review before making a decision on whether or not to move forward with 3.0 in it's current configuration.
