Letter from the Producer, XXXV (08/30/2012)

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Originally Posted by NefarioCall

So... is November a typo or did they really push it back 6 weeks, ... because just two weeks ago Yoshi posted that we only had about one month left... better to get it done right i guess.

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That was a joke someone pulled. I would know... I fell for it.

November is when the Beta goes up and that's when the Current Version of FFXIV goes down, Alpha is set to begin on Late September early October.

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Originally Posted by Starlord

November is when the Beta goes up and that's when the Current Version of FFXIV goes down, Alpha is set to begin on Late September early October.

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what? in the letter yoshi said Alpha starting after November 11

nvm im hallucinating

I have several comments concerning the current letter.

1. Most important, IMO, we finally have a tentative schedule from the man himself. Excellent. It appears that Alpha testing won't begin til the middle of November. I fully understand that he is unable to give us a step by step schedule for the various phases to come. The most important thing that he said is that he is not proceeding with the next step until he is sure that everything is as perfect as it can be up to that point. A far sight different from the original testing and launch of the current version. Thank You Yoshi-P.

2. Still no information on PS3 development. Hopefully that will come soon.

3. 1 thing that I did not fully understand. Does the descending of the 7th Umbral Era happen in the period between 1 - 11 Nov with a Grand Finale at server shut down or will it be complete by 1 Nov. Either way it should be awesome.

4. It appears that we will be seeing some game footage <battles> soon with more to come during the TGS. Hopefully the ARR website will be developed to the point where it looks like a real prelaunch site with scads of information concerning the basics of the game

5. Did I read it correctly? We will not be charged from 1 Oct til launch if we are active on 30 Sept or will that start on 1 Nov? A little clarification please.

6. I would much prefer that they shut everything down on 11 Nov and concentrate full on testing and development after that time.

7. Finally I would like to congratulate Yoshida-san and the dev team. They are doing something that no other MMO would even contemplate doing, rescuing a failed MMO while at the same time completely rebuilding it from the ground up. The fact that they were able to accomplish the Herculean effort in only 2.5 years is a testament to their skill and determination.

Take the servers down on November 1st. Linkshells and friends will stay in contact. Don't waste resources and man power on keeping this online.

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Originally Posted by Starlord

November is when the Beta goes up and that's when the Current Version of FFXIV goes down, Alpha is set to begin on Late September early October.

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That was the schedule in the original roadmap. It is apparent to me from reading this letter and from previous interviews that that schedule is no longer applicable. Granted I am not a developer but I would think that they would want the final character save before they started the Phase 1 stress testing. More knowledgeable people then me can correct me if I am wrong. I do not see Alpha testing beginning before 1 Nov with Beta test scheduled to begin after all the problems with the Alpha test are corrected. Could be wrong.

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Originally Posted by Rizon

That was the schedule in the original roadmap. It is apparent to me from reading this letter and from previous interviews that that schedule is no longer applicable. Granted I am not a developer but I would think that they would want the final character save before they started the Phase 1 stress testing. More knowledgeable people then me can correct me if I am wrong. I do not see Alpha testing beginning before 1 Nov with Beta test scheduled to begin after all the problems with the Alpha test are corrected. Could be wrong.

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I think the alpha will be going on alongside 1.0, all you need is a character to get on and stresstest the servers. They wont focus on gameplay in this test. Then if the beta starts in november after the servers go down then the schedule would still be on track. That is of course if this is they way they're doing it.

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Originally Posted by _pops

That was a joke someone pulled. I would know... I fell for it.

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It wasn't a joke. Yoshida said in several interviews that he didn't want the current version running in tandem with the testing phases and v1 would be shut down when Alpha starts Sept/Oct.

Example:

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Final Fantasy XIV players, take note: Your days are numbered. Er, at least your days spent in the original FFXIV world. When the game's rebirth, called A Realm Reborn, occurs later this year, the game's servers will be taken offline. Rather than overlap the two versions of the game, Square-Enix director/producer Naoki Yoshida says the original servers will be taken offline "some day in the near future," precipitating an alpha and then a beta for the game's relaunch later this year.

"Basically what's going to happen is that the current story is still continuing now, but some day in the near future -- and we'll make sure we tell the players what day that is -- something is going to happen in the story, and at that time, the servers are going to shut down," Yoshida told us in a group interview this morning at Gamescom.

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http://i.massively.joystiq.com/2012/...relaunch-a-re/


Not that it really matters. We have a solid date now. But as usual something somewhere got confused if everyone who interviewed stated this as the plan.

Just pointing out that the "one month left" thing wasn't just a wild assumption or prank.

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Originally Posted by Kenshiro0314

Pretty ridiculous only JP can do Alpha. Not surprised, JP is always favored, but when do NA get the same considerations? We put just as much time and effort into FFXIV as them. This is seriously making me consider other games. Once I get into another game, I usually don't come back. Don't screw this up SE, you have already botched the game enough. While the recent improvements have been phenomenal, DON'T give SE priority on Alpha. Our input should count just as much.

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Jesus Christ, did you not read the entire part about that? Only first phase is JP only because the dev team is japanese and needs to be able to respond to crashes and server errors quickly. Second phase people from any country will be able to play if they were accepted. Also it's only alpha and you will barely be doing any actual playing if you are in it.

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Originally Posted by Lirion

I think the alpha will be going on alongside 1.0, all you need is a character to get on and stresstest the servers. They wont focus on gameplay in this test. Then if the beta starts in november after the servers go down then the schedule would still be on track. That is of course if this is they way they're doing it.

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Hope you are right. I cannot wait to begin playing ARR.

While I will be voting no on the poll, very happy with this news. I think a lot of players will also be happy that they know exactly how much time is left for them to earn legacy status (granted, that their account was registered before May)

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Originally Posted by Kenshiro0314

Pretty ridiculous only JP can do Alpha. Not surprised, JP is always favored, but when do NA get the same considerations? We put just as much time and effort into FFXIV as them. This is seriously making me consider other games. Once I get into another game, I usually don't come back. Don't screw this up SE, you have already botched the game enough. While the recent improvements have been phenomenal, DON'T give SE priority on Alpha. Our input should count just as much.

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This was clearly stated in his letter. Only Phase 1 is JP only and for legitimate reasons. They want to make sure that the new client doesn't crash and burn at midnight JP time when only a small group of people are working. Phase 2 and beyond will be open globally

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Originally Posted by HiirNoivl

You poor little starved children don't even know what a basic MMO looks like... ; ;

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Everyone knows what a basic MMO looks like -- That's the problem, because that's exactly what people want XIV to become. Glad Yoshi is smart though.

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Originally Posted by Ptolemy

Should keep the servers live for those who don't make alpha/beta, could just delay the "save" maintenance till a few weeks before 2.0 is ready to hit live if they do indeed give us a option to vote for bringing up the servers again after nov 1st, then it would be best to just delay the save maintenance till the finalized 2.0

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No thank you, it's time to move on honestly.

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Originally Posted by Kenshiro0314

Pretty ridiculous only JP can do Alpha. Not surprised, JP is always favored

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I'll be blunt: You clearly know nothing about the business world -- NA companies favor NA players, EU companies favor EU countries -- Why aren't you complaining about that? For certain reasons it's done this way and it makes sense.

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Originally Posted by Kenshiro0314

Pretty ridiculous only JP can do Alpha. Not surprised, JP is always favored, but when do NA get the same considerations? We put just as much time and effort into FFXIV as them. This is seriously making me consider other games. Once I get into another game, I usually don't come back. Don't screw this up SE, you have already botched the game enough. While the recent improvements have been phenomenal, DON'T give SE priority on Alpha. Our input should count just as much.

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Wow...talk about a lack of reading comprehension...

Normally, the public aren't allowed in alpha-phases, so we should be happy that we're getting a chance to play it at all. Depending on when alpha starts, we could just be talking about something like a week's difference anyway.

And please remember that NA and Japan aren't the only countries/regions playing this game =/

Just for those who think Alpha = Early Beta.

Just know that for the most part Alpha will be SE announcing a time to cram everyone onto a server and watch it crash. Not actually play.

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Originally Posted by Jynx

Just for those who think Alpha = Early Beta.

Just know that for the most part Alpha will be SE announcing a time to cram everyone onto a server and watch it crash. Not actually play.

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Yea...some people seem to have these delusions they'll be able to get a group out to Garuda during that time...

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Originally Posted by Ptolemy

Should keep the servers live for those who don't make alpha/beta, could just delay the "save" maintenance till a few weeks before 2.0 is ready to hit live if they do indeed give us a option to vote for bringing up the servers again after nov 1st, then it would be best to just delay the save maintenance till the finalized 2.0

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This would be a bad idea.
Yoshi said it need ~1 month to transfers and convert the files. To wait until 2.0 start would be a 1 month delay for everyone who want to play with the old chars.

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Originally Posted by Jynx

Just for those who think Alpha = Early Beta.

Just know that for the most part Alpha will be SE announcing a time to cram everyone onto a server and watch it crash. Not actually play.

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This basically. You will also be extremely limited on what you can do in the game. First phase alphas are usually almost unplayable. I know this was the case with Guild Wars 2 and other MMO alphas I tried.

We, the Forum, should brace ourselves for the stupid "GAME KEEPS CRASHING! FIX IT SE!" posts that will no doubt pour in during the Alpha. -_-

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Originally Posted by Alerith

We, the Forum, should brace ourselves for the stupid "GAME KEEPS CRASHING! FIX IT SE!" posts that will no doubt pour in during the Alpha. -_-

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SE would only hope people breaking the NDA would be that stupid.

Soooooo are we taking bets yet on what part of 2013 the final product will release in or is it too soon? (cough!) may ;p

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Originally Posted by Kenshiro0314

Pretty ridiculous only JP can do Alpha. Not surprised, JP is always favored, but when do NA get the same considerations? We put just as much time and effort into FFXIV as them. This is seriously making me consider other games. Once I get into another game, I usually don't come back. Don't screw this up SE, you have already botched the game enough. While the recent improvements have been phenomenal, DON'T give SE priority on Alpha. Our input should count just as much.

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Gonna requote this in case more stupid people posts the same thing.

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Originally Posted by Alerith

We, the Forum, should brace ourselves for the stupid "GAME KEEPS CRASHING! FIX IT SE!" posts that will no doubt pour in during the Alpha. -_-

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People who play alphas should already know that this will happen guaranteed, if anything, it helps show how many people are cramming into the client. If anyone treats the game like it is a full retail ready product is only disappointing themselves.

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Originally Posted by Biggs

Soooooo are we taking bets yet on what part of 2013 the final product will release in or is it too soon? (cough!) may ;p

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Betting it falls within same month of XI's new expansion next year.

I don't give a hoot how long the game takes. The longer it's down the better the release version is going to be.

Also, with NDAs on the Alpha does that mean Princess "Kailea" Zelda will be making a come back?

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...layhehehee.jpg

Good lord I both do and do not want to know what the story is behind that picture.

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Originally Posted by Jennestia

Betting it falls within same month of XI's new expansion next year.

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Didn't catch when that was going to be Jenn, although it would make sense. This isn't bad mouthing them but I just can't see how a game this big under a rushed development schedule won't have issues that will take time to work out in beta. But yeah, better they take their time then rush it out again .

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Originally Posted by Biggs

Soooooo are we taking bets yet on what part of 2013 the final product will release in or is it too soon? (cough!) may ;p

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In winter ^^

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Originally Posted by Kenshiro0314

Pretty ridiculous only JP can do Alpha. Not surprised, JP is always favored, but when do NA get the same considerations? We put just as much time and effort into FFXIV as them. This is seriously making me consider other games. Once I get into another game, I usually don't come back. Don't screw this up SE, you have already botched the game enough. While the recent improvements have been phenomenal, DON'T give SE priority on Alpha. Our input should count just as much.

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... what?

I... I don't know where to begin pointing out the wrongs in this... /sigh

edit: lol nvm other people already have

I guess I have to hurry up with story part. Not interested in alpha testing to be honest, I'll just sit and wait for the final product :)

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Originally Posted by neorei

We can bring the servers back up after a few days, and you’ll be able to keep playing the game just like normal...but your final save data will remain unchanged.

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I've an idea how about instead you dedicate the servers to downloading 2.0 when it comes out instead. That way FFXIV HQ doesn't explode from the amount of traffic.

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Originally Posted by Biggs

Didn't catch when that was going to be Jenn, although it would make sense. This isn't bad mouthing them but I just can't see how a game this big under a rushed development schedule won't have issues that will take time to work out in beta. But yeah, better they take their time then rush it out again .

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Yeah still no specific date but considering they want people to play both of their MMOs, it would be bittersweet when you think about it -- FFXIV began production when they released WoTG and ARR will be rerelased when they release another expansion.

So people who have paid for sub for Sept or still paying pass Sept will be able to play for free ? It's little hard to understand that part for me.

My only real question is, of the stuff that's going away, is there anything I should definitely go after or that I probably won't want to miss out on?

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Originally Posted by MoonKeeperr

So people who have paid for sub for Sept or still paying pass Sept will be able to play for free ? It's little hard to understand that part for me.

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The way I read that was if you got an Active Sub on 30th Sept you'll not have to pay again so your October Monthly date will not be charged and you'll play for free.

Like if your Sub is paid on the 6th of everything month, the last payment you'll make is Sept 6th, and Oct 6th will begin the free period til Realms come down.

I could be wrong tho, but thats just how I seemed to understand it :D (Warning:: I'm not the most intelligent person in the box so could be completely on the wrong track here lol)

Meep! Me two! Now I know I can 50up my desired crafting classes!

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Originally Posted by Fayette

I can understand keeping the servers going so that friends/linkshell members can still hangout together but, what would we do? If after the character save on Nov 1st is the end all, anything we do after that will not be saved. I don't know what we would do except sit around town talking because doing anything else would be a waste.

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I'll buy all the gil on November 2nd. ;3

lol we can go RMT hunting and /point /laugh at their invisible gils

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Originally Posted by Nuru

I'll buy all the gil on November 2nd. ;3

lol we can go RMT hunting and /point /laugh at their invisible gils

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I'd be too busy weeping for your wasted money. D:

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Originally Posted by Biggs

Soooooo are we taking bets yet on what part of 2013 the final product will release in or is it too soon? (cough!) may ;p

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for some odd reason, im imagining....Early / Mid february 2013.