Envision Entertainment is sending out emails for the closed beta even if you didnt get a key. I guess they're letting you know its started but at the same time its letting people know they also didnt get a key if they didnt get another email. Bit strange to make people feel excluded I must admit.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2155180/Pioneers_of_Pagonia/
Sounds promising. I'm a suckered for Knights and Merchants style games so will definitely try it, even if it lacks battles which I would love to have