Pretty sure, since E3, they have been saying they will be released at the same time.
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Well, the Timeline Grid as the " Reboot Phase" from November~ January, Maybe as Characters get Transferred more people will get to play the game before it's Actual release date, and send out e-mail Notifications that your account is ready to go for beta/playtime. That's why they said they hope to have it out before Christmas time. but if it needs more time it will be pushed back.
Again all Speculation :P.
Seeing those threads and comments, I'm very glad the other communities (even non-FFXIV) are enjoying the media way more than we are here lol. Here we get 20 bitching threads about nothing, other sites are just happy to see the improvements.
I hope they'll let GW2 and WowPanda come out, wait for everyone to get a bit bored, then hit us with ARR in Dec just nice for Xmas.
I can see 1.23 running through Sep, October shutting the 1.0 servers, 3 weeks with nothing, then Beta for PC in Nov.
I guess we'll see, but even though they've said PC and Ps3 will release simultaneously, I just can't see that happening. I'd bet money on PS3 version having a Beta in Jan and coming out in March.
My understanding of the order of things:
Servers go down
Alpha goes up 4-6 weeks
Character transfers begin
Beta goes up (with transfers completed)
Open Beta goes up.
Launch.
This fits pretty much exactly with the timeline. It also puts 2.0 in the hands of the players in October-November, and launch for mid-late winter 2013.
I think FFXIV ARR has a great chance actually. There aren't any MMOs scheduled for release in January - Feb 2013 is there?
I feel that GW2 will disappoint because it's been overhyped, and people don't really understand that no subscription meaning there will be less updates. Therefore, after people run out of content, that's it. They'll move on.
heh, great minds think alike=)