"  
Cryptic Studios: "Sure no problem. I'll send over TWO THOUSAND of them." "

They're probably aware that they are, in fact, a video game site and figured they would give them out somehow.

no idea but it just went open beta so they might be sending them out willy nilly.

They give websites lots of beta keys to help promote their game and to help improve it. It gives websites reasons to hold contests and such, and gives them ways to give back to their community. It is beneficial all around.

I think they want to get a lot of people into the beta.  I got my key some 12 hours ago (also made a thread here on GB to help some users get their keys).  Download the client over torrent, installed and updated.  Changed my in-game options to max graphics.
 
Still haven't played it.  CURSE GIANT BOMB I AM ADDICTED TO THE FORUMS!

 i know Massively got like 1000, i just missed getting one, so hopefully i will be able to get one of the TWO THOUSAND given to GB  *nudge nudge to whoever ends up being "The Keymaster"

Tried the beta a bit, it's kinda OK actually.  Not really digging the core mechanics, as its mostly a bit WoW and a bit City of Heroes only slower paced, but man being able to build your own starship with all these cool designs...  tempting...

I played the beta for an hour, I give the game 6 months. Really everything but the character creator is pretty bad.

"GB: "Hey, we'd like to check your game out while in its early stages and maybe write something about it. Any chance of a beta key?" 
 
Cryptic Studios: "Sure no problem. I'll send over TWO THOUSAND of them." "

" GB should just post a thread on the forums and anybody that replies to it get's one of the beta keys.  "

Beta is just the new word for Demo. It's a PR event. They still have QA departments or a closed beta with selected people for serious feedback. I wouldn't be surprised if Cryptic went to Giantbomb in the first place, not the other way around.

" Beta is just the new word for Demo. It's a PR event. They still have QA departments or a closed beta with selected people for serious feedback. I wouldn't be surprised if Cryptic went to Giantbomb in the first place, not the other way around. "

"I played the beta for an hour, I give the game 6 months. Really everything but the character creator is pretty bad. "

"
On the latest podcast Brad states that Giant Bomb are in possession of 2000 key codes to the beta for Star Trek Online. 
 
Does anyone have a clue why this would be so? I know they have to view the game but what the hell?  

 
GB: "Hey, we'd like to check your game out while in its early stages and maybe write something about it. Any chance of a beta key?" 
 
Cryptic Studios: "Sure no problem. I'll send over TWO THOUSAND of them." "

I still think Rayfield is one of the funniest people on this site. seriously, best scenario ever. 

well maybe they were afraid they would lose them.

Do you guys know what a beta is? It's a development version that's released for testing and feedback. In the case of an MMO, a beta release has to be pretty substantial to be useful at all. This isn't a demo.