SE Rep - can you share with us the criteria for selection of Alpha testers

The real reason for the NDA; they didn't want anyone knowing they lied.

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Originally Posted by Cedri

The real reason for the NDA; they didn't want anyone knowing they lied.

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Right! It's always a conspiracy against us! It's always the company looking for ways to hate on us!

...seriously, just no. <_<

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Originally Posted by Phe

Listen.
The average MMO player doesn't give a sh*t if a game succeeds or not.
either he likes a game or he quits and starts a new one.

the true fans actually want the game to succeed.
they have an INTEREST to give feedback and make it better.

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Now you listen "Must currently have an active FINAL FANTASY XIV account" Therefore EVERYONE who go it has paid for at least the last month, why would they do that if they weren't a fan of the game, the average MMO player sees FFXIV as an absolute fail, I got told by a friend "Why are you still playing the fail version, just wait for ARR" so why would people like that pay to see the final event?

EVERYONE that is in the alpha has interest in the game, the difference is most people posting with all the butthurt (like you) just want to play, I bet you wouldn't even mention a bug if you were in, yes I wanted to get in, yes I'm disappointed I aren't in but meh life goes on.

Also if the game is polished well in alpha it may bring back people who quit, people who are posting now will come back when ARR releases, if they can show off how polished the game is to people on the fence it may aid the games success.

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Originally Posted by Enma

The point is that people who played few months (and I mean 1-2 month since release) are inside. No matter if they are active or inactive, it's just... silly. :|

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In the original post, and posts like this people are claiming things about the alpha testers that were selected. But! .... I echo what i read in another post ... where are you getting this info?

If people are posting they got in, they violate the agreement right? ... If there really are people posting that they got in, it would make sense that only those that played a little and don't really care about staying(?) would post they got in and risk losing the spot.... maybe? I'm sure if any hardcore player got an invite, he/she wouldn't risk losing that by breaking the Non Disclosure Agreement and posting that they got in.

Also, i'm sure tons of people will just lie. XD

Jumping to conclusions, or having knee jerk reactions is very easy ... and sometimes hard to suppress. I have these responses initially too, sometimes. The best thing i find is to give some time and think about things, and posts, and try to apply some logic. I avoid a lot of self inflicted heartache and frustration that way. XD

Good luck with the future invites. :)

http://static.tumblr.com/tkaojun/GBplte0xo/kittty.jpg

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Originally Posted by Vilhem

How about no Lol >< Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but enough of this "we should get some consolation prize". Seen it in CE threads, Legacy threads, "I been with 1.0 since the start" threads.

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You do realize it's customary in Japan to give Consolation Prizes, right? Seems only the western world would have a problem with something like that.

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Originally Posted by KiraHime

As far as I can see its like this.

People who arent currently paying have no access to the forum and cannot talk about this issue
People who are paying and did not get in are becoming a vocal minority (i see the same 10-20 names over and over)
People who are paying and got in are on the alpha forums enjoying them selves talking about upcoming alpha events so not posting here, and even if they did, would not flaunt their access.

So all we have on this forum now are a bunch of whiny kids crying that they they feel entitled.

Well guess what, in a test phase you need people who havent been around as much as you need people who have.

You need people from all walks of life to get a wide variety of feedback. People who quit early were more critical and less forgiving, their feedback is as important, if not more important, than the casuals with rose tinted glasses.
The hardcores are also important, people who dedicate themselves to pushing the game and breaking mechanics to make themselves OP so jobs can be balanced.

Just because you didnt get in doesnt mean SE doesnt love you, it means you were unlucky.

Deal with it.

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All I caught from that last post was "Deal with it." Nuff said. Long time no see Junpei! /salute

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Originally Posted by Elexia

You do realize it's customary in Japan to give Consolation Prizes, right? Seems only the western world would have a problem with something like that.

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I don't mind consolation prizes, but if you're bitching and insisting on getting them for dumb reasons, then no. And the examples on these forums are just that.

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Originally Posted by Delsus

EVERYONE that is in the alpha has interest in the game

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the question is still:
why would SE send an invitation to someone who quit after the trial instead of a legacy member.
(and it was reported that this happened).
my point is:
The desire to make the game a success and/or the willingness to improve the game by giving feedback and report bugs is higher as a FF14 fan who played it all along than a guy who quit after trial.

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Originally Posted by Delsus

I bet you wouldn't even mention a bug if you were in

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You might lose that bet since i actually reported 2 bugs during 1.0 beta as well.

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Originally Posted by Phe

the question is still:
why would SE send an invitation to someone who quit after the trial instead of a legacy member.
(and it was reported that this happened).
my point is:
The desire to make the game a success and/or the willingness to improve the game by giving feedback and report bugs is higher as a FF14 fan who played it all along than a guy who quit after trial.

You might lose that bet since i actually reported 2 bugs during 1.0 beta as well.

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2 whole bugs, in a game that was full of them, wow you really made a difference.

The question remains, why are you so butthurt over not getting an Alpha invite?

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Originally Posted by Phe

The desire to make the game a success and/or the willingness to improve the game by giving feedback and report bugs is higher as a FF14 fan who played it all along than a guy who quit after trial.

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"Oh look, my game crashed when I do X. I'm just going to do nothing about it because I want to level to 20 first and see Y before they take down the server for maintenance."

It sounds just as bad the other way too.

They had a special button:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nh0mYYNm0b...320/random.jpg
:P

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Originally Posted by Delsus

2 whole bugs, in a game that was full of them, wow you really made a difference.

The question remains, why are you so butthurt over not getting an Alpha invite?

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think u're trolling now but w/e.
i'm not "butthurt" for not getting an invite, i just think SE's criterias for choosing the testers is at least questionable.
reactivated my FF11 account so it's not that i'm bored :p

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Originally Posted by Phe

think u're trolling now but w/e.
i'm not "butthurt" for not getting an invite, i just think SE's criterias for choosing the testers is at least questionable.
reactivated my FF11 account so it's not that i'm bored :p

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Wonder if you would question them if you did get in :P

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Originally Posted by Gokulo

Wonder if you would question them if you did get in :P

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well... touché.
but at least i could understand those who do. ;p

basically they gave the short timers in 1.0 who quit during the first few months of release thats why the alpha mails were sent to them so they can attract them to 2.0 and increase the majority of gaming
imagine it as elections where your certain that your friend is going to vote for you but you focus on others who dont

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Originally Posted by Raubahn

thats why the alpha mails were sent to them so they can attract them to 2.0

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yea some of the white knights keep saying that.
but that's just plain wrong.
why should potential gamers be attracted more to the game by takin part in an alpha full of bugs than in the beta that's much closer to the final product?

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Originally Posted by Phe

yea some of the white knights keep saying that.
but that's just plain wrong.
why should potential gamers be attracted more to the game by takin part in an alpha full of bugs than in the beta that's much closer to the final product?

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White knights, lol.

You poor soul.

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Originally Posted by Raubahn

basically they gave the short timers in 1.0 who quit during the first few months of release thats why the alpha mails were sent to them so they can attract them to 2.0 and increase the majority of gaming
imagine it as elections where your certain that your friend is going to vote for you but you focus on others who dont

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Amen to that.

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Originally Posted by Phe

yea some of the white knights keep saying that.
but that's just plain wrong.
why should potential gamers be attracted more to the game by takin part in an alpha full of bugs than in the beta that's much closer to the final product?

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And that's why they had an application page. So if you expressed interest in the testing of a game, you could do so. It was not a random selection across every single person who bought FFXIV. Only across those who applied to be in alpha.

Be they applied for the lols or not, even SE cannot determine that. The fact that they used an application means that every single person they choose HAD AT LEAST a shred of interest in the testing of the game.

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Originally Posted by Gokulo

You poor soul.

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seems a troll got lost.
here's your way back home.
http://www.4chan.org/

anything ontopic? maybe?

Nah, cause the topic is not worth it.

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Originally Posted by Phe

seems a troll got lost.
here's your way back home.
http://www.4chan.org/

anything ontopic? maybe?

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You're not here for discussion if you're throwing the label "White Knights" for a business testing effort.You just want something SE won't deliver.

the thing is we can't discuss about anything if SE doesn't talk about the criteria.
or how many got into alpha.
or how many servers are there for alpha.
or why they don't put another server up for alpha.
too expensive?
well, i paid like 200$ for 1.0 and there got people into alpha who paid not much more than for just the game.

but i heard that's basic business practise, so whatever.

I want in so bad. I was in the original beta telling them 'this game is garbage start over from scratch.' It took them until the failed launch to realize I was correct I guess, but my feedback is what is giving us a new game this time. ;p

I really want to be part of the process to help make the game how it should of been the first time. I am not mad I wasn't selected because I feel I deserve it more, I am just disappointed and looking forward to future waves.

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Originally Posted by Phe

the thing is we can't discuss about anything if SE doesn't talk about the criteria.
or how many got into alpha.
or how many servers are there for alpha.
or why they don't put another server up for alpha.
too expensive?
well, i paid like 200$ for 1.0 and there got people into alpha who paid not much more than for just the game.

but i heard that's basic business practise, so whatever.

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You can continue flailing your tears around. It's pretty entertaining.

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Originally Posted by Mjollnir

An educated guess would be that they collated all of the applications, split them by region and then divided those again between high/required spec PCs (as per the application) and then invited a given number from each subsection, determined completely randomly.

Activity/inactivity/Legacy/forum post count/character name shouldn't play a part in selection.

Just a guess though, based on the application process and what we know is being tested in this phase.

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Wow somebody actually thinking logically on the lodestone, that's rare! I agree, after seeing the application it's pretty clear they want as wide of a variety as possible, regarding both location and pc spec.

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Originally Posted by Galliano

Wow somebody actually thinking logically on the lodestone, that's rare! I agree, after seeing the application it's pretty clear they want as wide of a variety as possible, regarding both location and pc spec.

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That's why it is being ignored by our resident princesses, sadly.

They mentioned the alpha was for stress testing and not for content feedback as most of the content won't be ready for the alpha phase. I'm sure as the result the selection for alpha was much less selective based on active users and more based on a variaty in region and computer specifications.

I'm sure they'll take active accounts into more consideration for the beta since they'll be looking for more meaningful feedback on content.

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Originally Posted by Gokulo

You can continue flailing your tears around. It's pretty entertaining.

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If everyone was pleased with everything SE does, this forum would be useless.

Oh god, I can't be kind anymore. I just can't.

I knew this was going to happen. I knew people would be complaining, whining, and QQing over not getting into alpha. Heck, there were even posts saying to prepare for the tsunami of tears to come washing over the forums. Still, the anticipation doesn't make this any less pathetic. Guess what, guys? I didn't get into alpha either! :eek: Am I surprised? No. Do I think I'm entitled to it just because I'm a Legacy member? No. Am I angry? No. Is my whole world crashing down around me? No.

Look, people chosen to get into alpha were chosen at random. You happened not to be one of the lucky ones chosen. Deal with it. And guess what? Testing is not over. There's still beta we have to go through. And if you don't get chosen for that, I suppose you're going to pop a vein over that as well?

Enough. Whining isn't going to get you into apha, nor is it going to improve your chances to get into testing later. So, for now, I have som advice for you, which I will deliver via the cute kitty cat below...


http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.47227...69018&pid=15.1

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Originally Posted by Phe

If everyone was pleased with everything SE does, this forum would be useless.

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You don't like their resting practices? Door's on your left, loyal adventurer. There no way they are going to discuss the testing effort in that sort of detail, so that you can then complain about the application or selection bias or "he's not worthy!" nonsense.

You are not their executive management.

It could just be due to the fact that everyone could apply, and there are more discontinued players than legacy.

Using arbitrary numbers:

500k people bought the game at release but quit.
20k people became legacy members.
10k members were subbed at the end but weren't legacy.
300k people applied for the alpha.
Alpha invites were sent out at random to the 330k people that applied.

Which group do you think will have a higher chance at getting into the alpha?

Also, it's not just inactive people. I know of at least 3 legacy members I play with that got in, so have some patience and wait for the next wave of invites.

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Originally Posted by Phe

If everyone was pleased with everything SE does, this forum would be useless.

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However, not being pleased with everything SE does and going against popular opinion on the forums usually invokes the ire of people..thus making these forums useless.

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Originally Posted by Kallera

Door's on your left, loyal adventurer.

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Wow.
you're giving me the option to quit a game i'm not playing?
well played, Sir.

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Originally Posted by Elexia

going against popular opinion

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wut?

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i'm not "butthurt" for not getting an invite, i just think SE's criterias for choosing the testers is at least questionable.

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This is flat out terrible.. You don't know who they picked... How can you say it's questionable?...
The fact that you didn't get picked in no way, shape, or form reflects the overall criteria or ability of those who did.
I'm sorry Mr. Snowflake... or should I say snowflakes since it's becoming quite a trend?

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Originally Posted by RudyFails

This is flat out terrible.. You don't know who they picked...

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This is a bit naive to think since people will get overly excited and admit it or you know, friends of friends then we get a list going of people that are actually in it :\ "You're not even allowed to admit you're in alpha!"

http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/M...al_Fantasy_XIV

Funny, I don't recall encountering one of these in my time in 1.0. :3

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Originally Posted by Elexia

This is a bit naive to think since people will get overly excited and admit it or you know, friends of friends then we get a list going of people that are actually in it :\ "You're not even allowed to admit you're in alpha!"

http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/M...al_Fantasy_XIV

Funny, I don't recall encountering one of these in my time in 1.0. :3

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Are you calling me a Mindflayer?

I'll be honest, I'm kind of lost....

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Originally Posted by Mjollnir

An educated guess would be that they collated all of the applications, split them by region and then divided those again between high/required spec PCs (as per the application) and then invited a given number from each subsection, determined completely randomly.

Activity/inactivity/Legacy/forum post count/character name shouldn't play a part in selection.

Just a guess though, based on the application process and what we know is being tested in this phase.

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I must have missed this, and I must speak out... Logic is not allowed on the FFXIV forums, everything has to be trolling, speculation and SE bashing.

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Originally Posted by RudyFails

How can you say it's questionable?...

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What's the big deal with telling people what criteria they have?

Even snowflakes is an understatement, because it's a quite big snowball of people who are p*ssed of.

A reasonable mind puts things into question.
And is not satisfied with being told: "It's just like that. We won't explain. Live with it."