When exactly is the current version shutting down?

[Cynthis]

Between late September and early October. I remember reading in some recent interview (don't remember where) this is when beta would start.

What I haven't been able to find a clear answer to though is if 1.23 will become unavailable when the beta starts. Since we will not all get into the beta and since those in the beta will most likely need to create new characters it doesn't seem like the current game has to shut down as soon as the beta starts. SE could have the beta and current version running in parallel and then shut both down to port the data over to 2.0.

If the current version shuts down when the beta starts and is first closed down for a month or two while beta is running and then up to another month to convert the database, those not in the beta would not have any version of the game to play for maybe 3 months and I for one would probably re-discover the hobbies I had before the game hooked me then and not come back...

[DAMNLAMA]

What I haven't been able to find a clear answer to though is if 1.23 will become unavailable when the beta starts. Since we will not all get into the beta and since those in the beta will most likely need to create new characters it doesn't seem like the current game has to shut down as soon as the beta starts. SE could have the beta and current version running in parallel and then shut both down to port the data over to 2.0.

If the current version shuts down when the beta starts and is first closed down for a month or two while beta is running and then up to another month to convert the database, those not in the beta would not have any version of the game to play for maybe 3 months and I for one would probably re-discover the hobbies I had before the game hooked me then and not come back...

The plan as I have understood is that they are transferring our data to the new servers DURING the beta, thats why they are taking 1.0 offline when beta starts. Even if they need to tweak some of the mechanics or iron out bugs found in the beta, the data transfer can still happen. The idea is that as soon as beta is over they can launch 2.0 right away.

Another theory is that right before beta starts/1.0 comes down you will be able to log in and watch a CS that shows exactly what happens with dalamund. So two problems with keeping 1.0 up after beta starts is: if they don't show the CS before ppl start playing beta then there will be spoilers in the beta. Secondly if they show a CS of how the world changes but then leave 1.0 client up with the old world it would be confusing. Like "I just watched this CS of the world changing, but it all looks the same, whats the deal?"