Ad topic - I would at least like to now if a specific feature-complete version is aimed for release. In software development, branching is usually used (FreeBSD) - you add and add features to the current(cutting edge) version, until the team decides it is time for a release, so the release version is branched, feature-frozen, and beta tested and polished, until it's stable and bug-free enough for a release. Meanwhile, the current branch continues to grow and get more features. Wesnoth, for example, uses this model too.
I understand it's hardly possible when there is only one developer who is motivated mainly in adding new and new features (and does not want to do the testing/troubleshooting work).
However, under this model, is it at all possible to have a public release? It will be a year soon...
Well, Toady does feature release, followed by a series of bug fix release, with the feature release containing bug fixes.
There have been mention of select group who got to test out the 2010 DF, but nothing been said, that they've been employed for this release. Though its presumable that ThreeToe plays Daily Builds of some sort. I wouldn't be shocked with Capntastic or the other bloke on DF Talk also gets to play a daily build from time to time.
As for the current pending release, there loads of new features, probably loads of background changes for future features. Nightcreatures have gotten more polish. Human towns are suppose to be greatly improved, with sewers ect. Ect ect. Lots of new features, polish on older features ect. And you can see a nice neat collection of the known improvements for this release right here:
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1u8jibE1TV7BAwAI2b4TzRkWFlBboLiXMrVBhYmDYPhI&pli=1Its really hard to say, if any of those new features are complete. If you can give an operational definition of it, that'll make it easier to answer. If you mean, complete as in not worked on again. Then no, its fairly probable, that that all those new features will see tweaks, iterations, and changes. Either from new features being implemented, where past features have to incorporate/take advantage of or from bug fixes of the numerous interconnected systems changing how they were working.
Release 1 from here:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?action=post;quote=2872942;topic=96139.105;last_msg=2872942 Will defiantly be done, as far as its goals is concern.
After this release, as we've seen with past releases, it'll go into a state of near feature freeze. It'll be mostly bug fixes, but from time to time, we'll see something new added in there.
By chance, do you keep up with the development of DF? ToadyOne does a pretty good job about keeping the community updated about his work on the game, with the Dev Log, and Future of the Fortress thread.
ToadyOne, according to the Monthly Report, states he feels that they're still on track for a Jan. 15th release, but optimization, map upkeep and 2010 Animal Drive, may push it into February. Historically, ToadyOne hasn't been able to predict release dates. At the very least, soon, probably before March.
Also, there been lots of public releases for DF.