Wait... No Public Test Server for this game?

[xvshanevx]

I was reading this article (http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07...ts-are-broken/), when i read something that I just couldn't believe:

"...this is one of those places where Final Fantasy XIV could benefit immensely from a public test server..." (Eliot Lefebvre)

Is this true? Is there really no Public Test Server for this game?

[Parz3val]

This game would HUGELY benefit from one.

Hopefully then we could prevent things like Atma, Broken Hunts Systems, & Crafting Material Boss Drops.

[KarstenS]

Only elite guilds would benefit from public test server as they can do their kills earlier.

Hopefully then we could prevent things like Atma, Broken Hunts Systems, & Crafting Material Boss Drops.

Public test servers are just to fix last bugs, not to change the way stuff works. SE is making a much better job at this than publishers of games I know they have public test server.

[Shyluv]

I hope it stays that way.

[Jubez187]

Public test servers are just to fix last bugs, not to change the way stuff works.

Untrue. League of Legends goes through many balance changes through the PBE before things go Live (whether or not they still end up imba is besides the point).

[xvshanevx]

I'm not a game developer or anything, but I would think for an MMO this large, that SE would have a Public Test Server to see what the community might do when new mechanics are released into the game. To have a hand full of dedicated testers and players try out the new content really helps these games with avoiding mistakes. I personally could care less about ways to fix the Hunt, but the fact that this game has no PTR, for how large it is, seems careless and a backhanded slap to the consumer.

[Nekodar]

While nice, a public test server would need to be quite restricted and would still have to leave some stuff out so that the economy of live servers are not affected.

The preliminary patch notes from 2.3 caused a rush to buy dodore wings and leather and mossy horns in anticipation of the new gather/craft accessories. Imagine how it would be if there was a public test server where you could find the next thing to price gouge...

[Pandastirfry]

Most games with "Public Test Servers" really do need to rename them due to what most people use them for...

I suggest "Public PREVIEW Servers" or "Public NEW RAID PRACTICE Servers"

[xvshanevx]

...a public test server would need to be quite restricted and would still have to leave some stuff out so that the economy of live servers are not affected.

From my understanding, a PTR is completely separate from the live game, and they usually set the player base up with the equivalent of "end of game" content, this way they can progress to the new content without having to grind anything. I guess for this game, and patch 2.3, in a PTR everyone would have level 50 classes/jobs and ilvl 90 gear (and same for crafting but I know little of crafting). This, then, allows them to rummage around the new content searching for things that might be a foul. Nothing from the PTR goes over to the live game, except maybe like a special mount or something.

That's what public test realms are for... testing.

Most games with "Public Test Servers" really do need to rename them due to what most people use them for... I suggest "Public PREVIEW Servers" or "Public NEW RAID PRACTICE Servers"

Yup, completely agree with this here. Either way you look at it though, you're having a select few trying, or previewing the new material, and if something fishy comes up, they then can report it. I think, what I'm trying to say is, SE creates new content for this game and then has no one try it out before releasing it. And this doesn't strike anyone as odd? Millions of players playing, world wide, and no player based testing. Nothing?

[Nekodar]

That's what public test realms are for... testing.

You miss the point. Anything you learn on the public test server, you can use to your advantage on live servers.