When exactly is the current version shutting down?

[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?"

[ssppiikkeeyy]

Q: When will Final Fantasy XIV 2.0 launch?
A: I expect the first Closed Beta for the Japan and International servers to be held end September or early October, entering Closed Beta 2 this winter and Open Beta in January next year. We will be talking to Shanda Games about the China server, with features such as PvP, blocking 3rd party programs and localization, hence the Chian server will launch later.

http://www.mmoculture.com/?p=3030

here we go and the link to this forum post is ~ http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...l=1#post768856

[BiggLethal]

Yoshi stated in an interview that it should take about a month to transfer the data to the new server and that the beta and 1.0 would not be running concurrently. Here. http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/2012/06...ks/#more-10676

The latest interview posted yesterday seems to indicate it'll be down for 3 months. Hopefully the old interview information is outdated and it will only be down during the open beta. Having FFXIV down for 3 months would be pretty harmful to the current community.

It would be nice to have some concrete information but they are probably unsure themselves while working against some tough deadlines.

[nasomi]

The current version won't be shutting down when beta goes live, it'll have to run in parallel, unless everyone in game gets into beta. They can't simply block out 80% of hteir userbase for 2-3 months. that'd be suicide. People will forget about it and pick up other games, and then when it comes back they'll just say "eh done that."

[RudyFails]

I can understand if they don't have a definite date, but as they get closer it would be nice to know. I don't really want to add playing time just to have the game shut down not even a week later. I know the amount is pretty trivial, but still, it's wasted money. Unless I missed something. Oh well.

[BiggLethal]

The current version won't be shutting down when beta goes live, it'll have to run in parallel, unless everyone in game gets into beta. They can't simply block out 80% of hteir userbase for 2-3 months. that'd be suicide. People will forget about it and pick up other games, and then when it comes back they'll just say "eh done that."

Yup I totally agree with this. That's what I pretty much came to by connecting the two interviews together but it just can't be right. Hopefully they'll comment on this soon.

If enough of us raise a stink about this, I'm sure we can get a MOD to look into this for us ^^

[Vaer]

This is something I was pondering as well. We will probably get an answer when they start rolling out the 2.0 information closer/after Gamescom. An official response would be nice though, but I'm sure the date hasn't been finalized.

Need to see how long I have to do all those 20 leves and 10 behests at every camp achievements and if I should bother. AHCIEVMNET PTZ Along with wrapping all the other stuff up like weapons, dungeons, etc.

[JeanFrancois]

I hope they reveal this soon. It would be horrible to subscribe to a game and level everything to not be able to play for 2 or three months. I do not think this is what they plan.

[gahoo]

I don't know... this was the main thing that I wanted to know when we sat down with Yoshida at E3. He was looking us square in the eye and was (I think) pretty clear (excerpt below). I can add that the tone for these answers was serious - from Yoshida and also from Sage Sundi who was in the room. I think they are acutely aware that downtime is not a good thing and something that they want to minimize it if at all possible. I think they get that any downtime will lead to the loss of some community members. Obviously the longer the downtime the more people will move on. But they also recognize that they will not get a third chance at a launch - such that everything must go well this time around. So they are leaving themselves time to both convert the data itself and to incorporate beta feedback into the release of 2.0.

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.

[Cynthis]

Ok, thanks for that Gahoo. That does indeed sound very clear. If they are indeed serious about about having enough time for beta test, feedback and implementing the feedback, I would be surprised if the beta period was less than 3 months and with no game to play for that long... Hmm, I think I might as well start to finish up the game now.