Letter from the Producer XLII

Also i was expecting more info and stuff but.. that 'Uldah area' screen is awesome. :0

i think beta is going to start either on the 15th of february (friday) or on the 18th of february (monday) ... thats around mid february... and then the beta goes for about 1-2 weeks till the end of february..

25th february is too late for the announced "mid" february.. and especially when the beta should run for 2 weeks.. and then 2 weeks for the dev team to work on it till beta in mid of march.

so i say its going to be either the 15th or the 18th

f-elezen looks baaad.
long neck, small head...her boobs is almost bigger than the head, and the head isn't much thicker than the arms. looks stupid. So does the hair :)

I think Yoshi will be back, and announce beta date by thu-fri next week. And then it will start sometime the week after.
But whatever, i'll probably have to wait for May or something to get in anyways QQ

i have a problem now and alot of other people cant stop playing FFXI on Asura lol.
Damn you SE!!!!!


but cant wait to jump back into FFXIV, from the small pics looks like the cleaned up graphics alot.

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Originally Posted by Radacci

f-elezen looks baaad.
long neck, small head...her boobs is almost bigger than the head, and the head isn't much thicker than the arms. looks stupid. So does the hair :)

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Havent Elezen/Elvaan always been very "griaffe" - alike?

TBH I think the main point of the live letter was to show that they made hairstyles cross-race..

Have we seen any manly male highlander bros at all in ARR? I'm starting to get a bit worried that they forgot about them... Hope they're at least giving them some more haircuts than the four (pretty crappy) ones they had to choose from before. Haven't seen them in race specific gear either.

wrong thread

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Originally Posted by Radacci

f-elezen looks baaad.
long neck, small head...her boobs is almost bigger than the head, and the head isn't much thicker than the arms. looks stupid. So does the hair :)

I think Yoshi will be back, and announce beta date by thu-fri next week. And then it will start sometime the week after.
But whatever, i'll probably have to wait for May or something to get in anyways QQ

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The figure certainly does look a little odd. The whole thing isn't helped by the poses which are clearly designed to show off particular attributes. Looks like they are ignoring the player demographics and going a little cheap for presentation. Lets hope that doesn't apply to the rest of the game.
The hair was a bad choice, but that was just to expose the front view. Even taking the hair style into account, the proportions really do need work. Although having said that, I think the excessive proportions of the chest give the torso an apparent extra bulk which isn't there. As for the neck, yes a little too long. The what I would guess is the starter gear doesn't help this impression either. Looks like they have taken Flo-Jo as their fashion inspiration :)
Although I am certainly looking forward to the Betas and the subsequent launch of ARR. I do feel more than a little apprehension as it all approaches. Change and development can be good, especially with the growth of the game from 1.0 to ARR. I just hope they haven't taken the lovely bones of 1.0 and boiled them down for soup, leaving us with a rather greasy mucky broth.

Thank you yoshi-p for taking some of the edge off the suspense ^_^

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Originally Posted by Technyze

Its possible youll need to login to the benchmark and it will provide results to SE.

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That makes pretty solid sense.

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Originally Posted by 3Jane

As for the neck, yes a little too long.

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the neck of an elvaan in FFXI was also always "too long"... is that anything new, really?!

elvaan always did not have the best "proportions"

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Originally Posted by Guevara

imho Beta starts on the 25th

- 10th Feb: Yoshi leaves;
- 16-17th Feb: Yoshi might be back (assuming from the destinations he has to reach);
- 18th Feb: Live letter, Beta announcement and benchmark release;
- 20th Feb Beta forums live;
- 25th: test starts (almost in time).

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What Yoshi-P said in the forty-second Letter from the Producer-

"We have been working to meet our deadlines for the upcoming beta test... doing our best to stay on track" (Which means the mid-Feb date for release.)

"Starting February 10, I'll be away from the office on a media tour that will pave the way for the beta test. I'll be traveling around the world, stopping in..." Estimated dates based on other press conference tours:
11th Los Angeles
12th San Francisco
14th London

"All regions will be receiving information at the same time, so be sure to keep an eye out!"

15th Return to Japan
16th "Oh, before I forget, Letter from the Producer LIVE Part V is planned for the day after I return from the tour. After aerial adventures, strenuous schedules, and jarring jetlag, what will become of the broadcast? You'll find out when details are posted on the Lodestone."

Clearly these details on Lodestone are going to be posted before the Live Letter, so expect "in my next letter you can expect an announcement for the starting date." to be posted just before, or at the same time as the Live Letter. So probably on Saturday the 16th?

If they meet their deadline of mid-Feb, then, by Monday the 18th we should have the actual Beta Test.

BTW I agree with others that mid-Feb SE-time means 10th-20th. So Wednesday the 20th could still be "meet our deadlines".

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Originally Posted by Tonkra

the neck of an elvaan in FFXI was also always "too long"... is that anything new, really?!

elvaan always did not have the best "proportions"

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Probably, I just haven't noticed.

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Originally Posted by Altena

TBH I think the main point of the live letter was to show that they made hairstyles cross-race..

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And to give a heads up that Beta likely isn't starting mid-Feb. Benchmark might make it by mid-Feb, and Beta prolly start by the end of Feb (my guess is on or around the 25th).

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Originally Posted by Exn

And to give a heads up that Beta likely isn't starting mid-Feb. Benchmark might make it by mid-Feb, and Beta prolly start by the end of Feb (my guess is on or around the 25th).

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he stated he made final checks, and now they are just doing some last tweeks. by the time he comes back at the latest, Beta will be finished already. So i don't see any reason for beta to start later than 18th. That's almost 2 weeks for last tweeks, which is more than enough. Or maybe he's just trolling, and beta starts when he comes back :)

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Originally Posted by Zehira

http://i.imgur.com/jHaAm.gif

It's worth your time. lol

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My eyes and mind = BLOWN!!!!

Is that last screen shot taken outside Uldah legit!? If it is in game, I can't possibly see how it wouldn't shut up just about every person (including myself) that was/is concerned about the new graphics system. Thats the sickest thing I have ever seen in an MMO and its just a bunch of people standing around camp watching a caravan go by! Please tell me this is what the game can look like with a high end rig!?

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Originally Posted by Guevara

imho Beta starts on the 25th

- 10th Feb: Yoshi leaves;
- 16-17th Feb: Yoshi might be back (assuming from the destinations he has to reach);
- 18th Feb: Live letter, Beta announcement and benchmark release;
- 20th Feb Beta forums live;
- 25th: test starts (almost in time).

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I'm with this to a degree, given the travel times and the such this seems to be the more sensible option. Though I'd say if not the 25th, then the 22nd to allow people to play over the weekend.

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Originally Posted by indira

but cant wait to jump back into FFXIV, from the small pics looks like the cleaned up graphics alot.

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I was thinking that they seem to have greatly improved the skin shaders. Also, is that self shading I see? Honestly, though, it looks like the indoor shaders could still use some work.

25th is probably a good date, maybe the Friday before, regardless this gives me plenty of time to finish up ni no kuni and fire emblem awakening.

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Originally Posted by Munba

Also i was expecting more info and stuff but.. that 'Uldah area' screen is awesome. :0

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I am actually completely unsure why that picture isn't the main topic of like 40 different posts right now. Why does it look 1000 times better then anything we have seen so far? Is it part of a movie or is it just in-game running on a high end rig?! People speculating on dates is a waste of time, how is this not being talked about lol?!

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Originally Posted by hrdndv

What Yoshi-P said in the forty-second Letter from the Producer-

"We have been working to meet our deadlines for the upcoming beta test... doing our best to stay on track" (Which means the mid-Feb date for release.)

"Starting February 10, I'll be away from the office on a media tour that will pave the way for the beta test. I'll be traveling around the world, stopping in..." Estimated dates based on other press conference tours:
11th Los Angeles
12th San Francisco
14th London

"All regions will be receiving information at the same time, so be sure to keep an eye out!"

15th Return to Japan
16th "Oh, before I forget, Letter from the Producer LIVE Part V is planned for the day after I return from the tour. After aerial adventures, strenuous schedules, and jarring jetlag, what will become of the broadcast? You'll find out when details are posted on the Lodestone."

Clearly these details on Lodestone are going to be posted before the Live Letter, so expect "in my next letter you can expect an announcement for the starting date." to be posted just before, or at the same time as the Live Letter. So probably on Saturday the 16th?

If they meet their deadline of mid-Feb, then, by Monday the 18th we should have the actual Beta Test.

BTW I agree with others that mid-Feb SE-time means 10th-20th. So Wednesday the 20th could still be "meet our deadlines".

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Let's hope! well.... no, not the 20th actually.... that'll have to be PS4 day. No else!!! XD

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Originally Posted by Biggs

I am actually completely unsure why that picture isn't the main topic of like 40 different posts right now. Why does it look 1000 times better then anything we have seen so far? Is it part of a movie or is it just in-game running on a high end rig?! People speculating on dates is a waste of time, how is this not being talked about lol?!

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It's neither. Benchmarks are designed to take the graphics engine and stretch it to the absolute extremes it's capable of reaching. Then measure the framerate at those extremes. Only by stretching the computer beyond it's capacities can you measure those capacities. So basically, those are "in game graphics" but at extremes that the graphics engine was never technically designed to utilize in actual game play.

My favorite Benchmark may be the FFXI, in which it just slowly fills your screen with Tarutaru until the graphics engine is trying to draw like 500 tarutaru. It's hilarious.

I am going to guess either the 18th or the 25th, the beta will be open. It is a safe area to guess.

Also, sneak preview of Yoshi-P in the Live Letter V.

http://th992.photobucket.com/albums/...h_Sleeping.gif

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Originally Posted by Hulan

It's neither. Benchmarks are designed to take the graphics engine and stretch it to the absolute extremes it's capable of reaching. Then measure the framerate at those extremes. Only by stretching the computer beyond it's capacities can you measure those capacities. So basically, those are "in game graphics" but at extremes that the graphics engine was never technically designed to utilize in actual game play.

My favorite Benchmark may be the FFXI, in which it just slowly fills your screen with Tarutaru until the graphics engine is trying to draw like 500 tarutaru. It's hilarious.

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Well I am in love to say the least. If its even close to possible to run it looking anything like that, I have some serious upgrades to add to my desktop in the next few weeks. Makes me sad to think thats an extreme visual, but what your saying makes sense. I have little experience with benchmarks as I ended up playing XI on the ps2, then the xbox360 (both of which do not do that game justice)

Based on what your saying though, is it possible thats what the game will look like when its at the far end of its life cycle? What I mean is, as the game begins contending with better and better software over the course of its life, won't it (for a time) keep getting better and better looking before it maxes out?

I was hoping for the Beta email today, but I guess a new letter will have to do for a b-day present from SE.

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Originally Posted by Biggs

Based on what your saying though, is it possible thats what the game will look like when its at the far end of its life cycle? What I mean is, as the game begins contending with better and better software over the course of its life, won't it (for a time) keep getting better and better looking before it maxes out?

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Yes, probably.

If it opens up on the 25th I'll miss it entirely. Here's hoping for the 18th

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Originally Posted by 3Jane

Well, my birthday is on the 25th so it looks like it might be a nice one this year :)

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mines the 27th :D

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Originally Posted by Biggs

Well I am in love to say the least. If its even close to possible to run it looking anything like that, I have some serious upgrades to add to my desktop in the next few weeks. Makes me sad to think thats an extreme visual, but what your saying makes sense. I have little experience with benchmarks as I ended up playing XI on the ps2, then the xbox360 (both of which do not do that game justice)

Based on what your saying though, is it possible thats what the game will look like when its at the far end of its life cycle? What I mean is, as the game begins contending with better and better software over the course of its life, won't it (for a time) keep getting better and better looking before it maxes out?

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I'm pretty sure you'll be able to play like that from the start, if your comp can handle it.
Didn't 1.0 kinda look like that anyways at max settings?

Honestly this new letter is just gettin me more disapointed....nothing really new... except have a nice trip Yoshi, you desreve it as you'r doing a good job like everyone is saying.....

I want something real!!!!

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Originally Posted by Biggs

...I have some serious upgrades to add to my desktop in the next few weeks...

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Just did that to my machine last night. :) 2X GTX 660 TIs running in SLi. I'm hoping to be able to run the game on max settings with 3d surround.

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Originally Posted by Molly_Millions

Just did that to my machine last night. :) 2X GTX 660 TIs running in SLi. I'm hoping to be able to run the game on max settings with 3d surround.

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I had a serious heat issue when running 1.0, so I think I will look into upgrading my cooling system (although it was wierd, no other game ran my comp as hard as 1.0 did). Dual graphics card in the works too but I would love to get some benchmark love first so I know how much to upgrade. Crazy excited Molly!

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Originally Posted by Biggs

I had a serious heat issue when running 1.0, so I think I will look into upgrading my cooling system (although it was wierd, no other game ran my comp as hard as 1.0 did). Dual graphics card in the works too but I would love to get some benchmark love first so I know how much to upgrade. Crazy excited Molly!

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Yeah the benchmark tool would be nice. Although in the interim, I used skyrim sort of a benchmark and my performance gains over my previous cards are astronomical. Thanks Uncle Sam! lol

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Originally Posted by Radacci

he stated he made final checks, and now they are just doing some last tweeks. by the time he comes back at the latest, Beta will be finished already. So i don't see any reason for beta to start later than 18th. That's almost 2 weeks for last tweeks, which is more than enough. Or maybe he's just trolling, and beta starts when he comes back :)

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Yeah, but he also mentioned twice that they are 'trying' to stay on schedule.. With mid-Feb being next week, I'd think he'd know already if it was going to launch that soon. Plus, he won't even be back until the end of next week (at the earliest), and he already said he's doing another letter when he gets back to announce the start date. Plus, were still waiting on the benchmark. So all things considered, earliest would be end of Feb. And even when it launches keep in mind that it's only going to be up for a few hours at a time on selected days.. so ppl may be at work/school/etc on the first day and need to wait until Phase 1 up-time coincides with their RL schedule. Seems like Phase 2 might be 100% up time, so that's where it will feel more like a Beta to most ppl anyway.

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Originally Posted by Molly_Millions

Just did that to my machine last night. :) 2X GTX 660 TIs running in SLi. I'm hoping to be able to run the game on max settings with 3d surround.

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Rerun the old XIV benchmark molly, im curious to see what you get.

I think I got high 5k when i updated to a 670

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Originally Posted by Meatdawg

Rerun the old XIV benchmark molly, im curious to see what you get.

I think I got high 5k when i updated to a 670

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can we still download it? 'cause I don't think I have it anymore.

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Originally Posted by Molly_Millions

can we still download it? 'cause I don't think I have it anymore.

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I had to dig for it. Took me a bit but i found it online.

Yeah fileplanet link still works:

http://www.fileplanet.com/213527/210...-XIV-Benchmark

I laugh at the scores SE listed.. I doubt anyone can pull close to 8k now even

http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/media/benchmark/na/

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Originally Posted by Zehira

http://i.imgur.com/jHaAm.gif

It's worth your time. lol

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Oh my God... what... what did my brain just do?? Stop it brain!! Stop!! You're....seeing it wrong, damn it!! :(