Grass

[Shioban]

Can't find who I was quoting, sorry!

Actually, sorry to say it but...

An Alpha stage is usually a graphics/stress test for an MMO. Its the perfect opportunity to test these sort of things, this is a standard in MMO development

Alpha is the stage when key gameplay functionality is implemented, and assets are partially finished.[138] A game in alpha is feature complete, that is, game is playable and contains all the major features.[139] These features may be further revised based on testing and feedback.[138] Additional small, new features may be added, similarly planned, but unimplemented features may be dropped.[139] Programmers focus mainly on finishing the codebase, rather than implementing additions.[137] Alpha occurs eight to ten months before code release.[138]"

Please tell me you've seen some videos of the Alpha so far? It fits this description.

For FFXIV:ARR they requested feedback not only on gameplay but also; Graphics, Sound, Stress-Tests.

HOWEVER, every developer is different, some may only want to focus on testing server loads, some may wish to have an Alpha that is pretty much border-line BETA standard as was the illusion for ARR's Alpha.

[Shougun]

snip

I'm not sure what your point is. This is neither the alpha or beta forums (all our threads on game balance are also just bored speculation threads because beta has been promised to have lots of changes) - we havent seen beta yet and I've already said that.

I though I made that clear in the OP ("if its changed in beta or Yoshida said it will happen, I wont bring it up"). Also I've seen every piece of information on ARR, every piece.