Alpha test "soon"

[Sephrick]

Yeah, indeed.



In another interview i've read that the server would be shutdown for the conversion process when the beta starts.

Basically, we should wait for an official post on Lodestone announcing when the servers will be taken offline. Then we will know for sure when the servers will actually be taken offline and what it will mean for everyone regarding the Alpha/Beta Access and billing process.

I don't see anything contradictory there.

All he's saying is Alpha is strictly to test the servers and beta is more for gameplay.

[kazaran]

We've basically been in "Alpha" since the launch of the game.

Alpha will be non real stress testing, that comes with a large volume of real connections.

Current players, and most likely those with Legendary status will get first priority, with others added soon after for main beta actual game play testing (post data transfer).

THe alpha stage will be new random generated accoutns to test base connectiosn from various locations while convertion of current players takes place and is migrated to the new server system. You wouldn't be playing your current character in any alpha form but the beta.

The comet is approaching and near, we've been warned, more news to follow.

Popcorn will be sold at all camps during fire storms.

[Rahsch]

Popcorn? I perfer Chocobo Gram Crackers, Dark Bomb Chocolate and Moogle Marshmellow s'mores!

[Synfrag]

Basically, we should wait for an official post on Lodestone announcing when the servers will be taken offline. Then we will know for sure when the servers will actually be taken offline and what it will mean for everyone regarding the Alpha/Beta Access and billing process.

Exactly! But, the only people who should get excited about it are the ones with testing background or at least the willingness to use their time exclusively for organizing stress tests on game content.

1.x Alpha was poorly executed. We were asked to load test a few things but besides that the specifics were vague. They should not be allowing people who want to oogle at graphics, craft or explore the new map into alpha. All that will do is flood the forums with crap like "The grass looks bad".

Alpha should be setup with specific testing criteria such as: Everyone log in and go to the AH at once, Everyone Participate in XXXX Event simultaneously. Yada yada yada. 1.x was simply log in and do whatever for the most part. It was totally uncoordinated so very few bugs and glitches were found on the testers end.

One can only hope they do it right this time.

[Renen]

Exactly! But, the only people who should get excited about it are the ones with testing background or at least the willingness to use their time exclusively for organizing stress tests on game content.

1.x Alpha was poorly executed. We were asked to load test a few things but besides that the specifics were vague. They should not be allowing people who want to oogle at graphics, craft or explore the new map into alpha. All that will do is flood the forums with crap like "The grass looks bad".

Alpha should be setup with specific testing criteria such as: Everyone log in and go to the AH at once, Everyone Participate in XXXX Event simultaneously. Yada yada yada. 1.x was simply log in and do whatever for the most part. It was totally uncoordinated so very few bugs and glitches were found on the testers end.

One can only hope they do it right this time.

Id no problem doing that, provided I can get into alpha :-)
Get to go to AH, and watch it crash before my eyes... sounds fun (no sarcasm)

[Rahsch]

Are they implementing an Auction House?

[Ricky]

A vast majority of us will be completely unaffected by Alpha, so I'm not entirely sure what you're looking forward to.

New information!

[Magnesium02]

I'm sure there be a NDA for alpha the game would just be to test the servers. ffxiv 1.0 would be still running with the alpha and the alpha wont be very long maybe 1 week at best from what yoshi-p have said.

But even with NDA people still upload youtube videos they did that for alpha, and beta version of ffxiv 1.0.

I kinda found out about this game from a beta tester posting videos (RockLock or something). It was better advertising than what Square was doing. I hope people will still be able to give information during alpha/beta.

[Kafeen]

I'd hazard to guess there's a good chance they'll shut down the forums save special Alpha- and Beta-only sections for testers.

I don't think so; it would be a mistake if they did. They've realised now how important the community is to the game, they should strive to keep it together. If the forums are closed, many people will move to other forums and break apart the community here as many may not come back once reopened.

[Kafeen]

We've basically been in "Alpha" since the launch of the game.

Alpha will be non real stress testing, that comes with a large volume of real connections.

This again?
Was Photoshop 5 an alpha for photoshop 6?
Was Windows 7 an alpha for Windows 8?
Is all your software just an alpha version of the next version to inevitably come out?

No! Its just an earlier version. Version 2.0 is exactly what it looks like, a major version update to 1.x. 1.x isn't an alpha version or a beta version just an earlier release.