TL;DR version of op's post:
http://static.themetapicture.com/med...ously-guys.gif
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TL;DR version of op's post:
http://static.themetapicture.com/med...ously-guys.gif
I call it a paid Beta because we are asked for our feedback.
Usually when a game releases that is full retail ready to launch with no major screw ups, you just get add-ons, expansions w/e you want to call them. Not full blown "Player Polls" to tell the production company what's wrong, feedback about new battle systems, server lag, Wyvern no Wyvern, jump no jump, jobs or no jobs, PvP or PvE, LS admin functions, search features, chocobo/mounts,new leve system, new crafting system, new recipes, constant balancing of current jobs, ... shall I continue?
This post, like the one saying "server merges are bad they should do transfers" and as has been mentioned here, semantics and your own POV and terminology. Wrong or not, asking people to not say it's a Beta is like asking those who still call Characters Toons or levels Rank to stop ... at this point, they're just words and you know damn well what that person meant to say.
Definition:
A beta test is a limited release of a product with a goal of finding bugs before the final release. Software testing is often referred to by the terms "alpha" and "beta."
Generally speaking, the alpha test is an internal test to find bugs, and the beta test is an external test. During the alpha phase, the product is opened up to employees of the company and, sometimes, friends and family. During the beta phase, the product is opened up to a limited number of customers.
Sometimes, beta tests are referred to as "open" or "closed". A closed beta test has a limited number of spots open for testing, while an open beta has either an unlimited number of spots (i.e. anyone who wants to can participate) or a very large number of spots in cases where opening it up to everyone is impractical.
By definition, I don't think FFXIV is a Beta in any regards. End of Story
So I tried loading up the Beta client today.
Didn't work.
Hmmm.....
BETA BETA BETA
Are you gonna cry?
This game is below alpha testing.