1.23 --->2.0

[Alhanelem]

I was talking within the Linkshell and the topic arose of the downtime between the two clients. Obviously when they data transfer our characters from 1.23 to a build of 2.0 there will probably a downtime where you cant play them.

There will be downtime where the game won't be available at all (much longer than a server maintenance), but at no time will be be making special characters for a beta or anything. Why do people keep asking this and why do people keep stirring the rumor pot?

if it's a 3-month beta and the last month we get our actual data i'll be happy.

The game will be completely offline while the data is being migrated. You will be using your actual data 100% of the time you're playing the game. The free trial period for 2.0 testing is going to be with your regular characters.

Where are people getting this funny idea that there will be character deletions or that we will have to create special characters for testing? None of this has been said anywhere.

[Fear]

Where are people getting this funny idea that there will be character deletions or that we will have to create special characters for testing? None of this has been said anywhere.

Yoshida: What’s going to happen is that after the current version is finished and storyline over, the servers will go down and the 2.0 beta will start up. We want to make sure we don’t make the same mistake as before, and want to be sure we have enough time not only for the beta test but also to get feedback from the players and leave enough time to implement that feedback. Also, keep in mind that transferring the characters to the new servers and systems could take up to a month. So that process will be running while the beta test is in place. There can’t be a launch immediately after the current servers are shut down.

GE: So the beta test and current game will not be operating simultaneously?

Yoshida: No. Because we need the time to convert the data from the current version to the new version, we can’t have people keep playing because they will keep updating their data. That doesn’t mean we are not going to work hard to make sure the servers aren’t down for a long time. We know that the community is there and want to maintain that community.

Read the bolded bits, during the Beta we WILL be using new characters and NOT our own, at least for the start of it.

[Felis]

There will be downtime where the game won't be available at all (much longer than a server maintenance), but at no time will be be making special characters for a beta or anything. Why do people keep asking this and why do people keep stirring the rumor pot?

The game will be completely offline while the data is being migrated. You will be using your actual data 100% of the time you're playing the game. The free trial period for 2.0 testing is going to be with your regular characters.

Where are people getting this funny idea that there will be character deletions or that we will have to create special characters for testing? None of this has been said anywhere.

GE: Speaking of Beta, will there be downtime between current game and 2.0?

Yoshida: What’s going to happen is that after the current version is finished and storyline over, the servers will go down and the 2.0 beta will start up. We want to make sure we don’t make the same mistake as before, and want to be sure we have enough time not only for the beta test but also to get feedback from the players and leave enough time to implement that feedback. Also, keep in mind that transferring the characters to the new servers and systems could take up to a month. So that process will be running while the beta test is in place. There can’t be a launch immediately after the current servers are shut down.

GE: So the beta test and current game will not be operating simultaneously?

Yoshida: No. Because we need the time to convert the data from the current version to the new version, we can’t have people keep playing because they will keep updating their data. That doesn’t mean we are not going to work hard to make sure the servers aren’t down for a long time. We know that the community is there and want to maintain that community.

GE: How much downtime do you expect between the end of the beta test and the launch 2.0?

Yoshida: It won’t be anything like the next day, but we hope to have it be as short as possible. We need enough time to make sure everything is right and start it smoothly.

http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/2012/06...cks-and-rocks/

[Sephrick]

Where are people getting this funny idea that there will be character deletions or that we will have to create special characters for testing? None of this has been said anywhere.

Well, the assumption is that since they're transferring our characters in tandem with the "PC beta" month we'll have to use new characters for that period.

In order for us to use our current character in the PC beta, they'd have to have already transferred our data, thus defeating the purpose of doing them at the same time.

According to the roadmap, after the PC beta in October we move to the PS3 beta and PC free trial in November and beyond. We can assume that's when we'll see our characters in 2.0.

Here's some pertinent info on the topic from the Gamerescape E3 interview:

GE: Speaking of Beta, will there be downtime between current game and 2.0?

Yoshida:* What’s going to happen is that after the current version is finished and storyline over, the servers will go down and the 2.0 beta will start up.* We want to make sure we don’t make the same mistake as before, and want to be sure we have enough time not only for the beta test but also to get feedback from the players and leave enough time to implement that feedback.* Also, keep in mind that transferring the characters to the new servers and systems could take up to a month.* So that process will be running while the beta test is in place.* There can’t be a launch immediately after the current servers are shut down.

GE: So the beta test and current game will not be operating simultaneously?
Yoshida:* No.* Because we need the time to convert the data from the current version to the new version, we can’t have people keep playing because they will keep updating their data.* That doesn’t mean we are not going to work hard to make sure the servers aren’t down for a long time.* We know that the community is there and want to maintain that community.

GE: How much downtime do you expect between the end of the beta test and the launch 2.0?

Yoshida:* It won’t be anything like the next day, but we hope to have it be as short as possible.* We need enough time to make sure everything is right and start it smoothly.

GE: Do you have any ideas yet on how will people get into beta?

Yoshida:* We decided not to tie it directly to the legacy campaign, but we want to prioritize getting the current players that are playing now into beta.