The official answer from Meshed VR is VaM 2.0 is a completely new software architecture. However, many Patreon backers receive a "loyalty discount." Supporting the ecosystem via the 1.22 Creator Key usually puts you in a higher tier for 2.0 beta access.
Be wary of websites or Google Docs claiming to offer "free" or "leaked" keys. These are often: Keys that the developer has already disabled. Vam 1.22 Creator Key
In Virt-A-Mate (VaM) version 1.22, the "Creator" key unlocks the ability to enable on cameras, which is essential for "deep" visual features like advanced Depth of Field (DoF) and ambient occlusion. How to Create a Deep Feature (Depth Texture) The official answer from Meshed VR is VaM 2