When will they resume saving content?

[Majidah]

I'm wondering.

Servers save for the last time on nov 1.

Servers go down on nov 11.

Alpha 1 begins. Japanese only.

Alpha 2 begins. Closed doors.

Closed beta begins.

Final version releases.

Lets say each phase lasts 1 month. That's at least 3 months without saving data? Maybe even more?

I really don't want to end up waiting half an year to be able to play the game with what I do amounting to something. :/

[Noir]

Expect 2.0 to launch by February or. March.

[Breladine]

It's an interesting question considering for MOST games, Alpha periods are never carried over to retail content releases, and Beta periods are rarely carried over to retail content releases -- the instances in which some data might transfer it is typically just things like character names and very little else (I've been in a few Beta periods where this has occurred).

Alpha and Beta stages are testing periods and are meant for that purpose primarily. Personally I'm not entirely expectant of a testing period to be designed for furthering character development permanently. You're helping the developers make the game stable for the full release, while at the same time giving yourself a handle on the game dynamics, but you are not really building a permanent character to carry through.

Based on how most testing periods operate, I'd be tempted to say content wouldn't be carried over, but ... FFXIV: ARR (2.0) is a different beast. There hasn't really been a notable "re-release" of an MMO in this manner that I can recall.

That alone may mean exceptions to the standard rule.

Ultimately we'll just have to wait and find out.

I really don't want to end up waiting half an year to be able to play the game with what I do amounting to something. :/

To be quite honest, I think this is where your problem lies: with perception.

People keep thinking of 2.0 as an "expansion", but.. it isn't one. This is almost an entirely new game in theory, the changes are just that deep in the development core.

We have to set expectations appropriately, which means going straight back to basics: We're preparing for Alpha and Beta testing of a brand new game, and that's what we need to consider.

I can remember the agonizing months that drawled on before FFXIV was released the first time. It was a long wait, and the first time around it was a disappointing wait considering the results. I'm used to waiting none the less, and I'm hopeful that at least this wait will be worth it.

[Felis]

The alpha date is still unknow. It can start before 11/1

[Punainen]

After November 1st, 1.0 will never save data. Progress will be saved after 2.0 official launch.

[Relix]

I honestly believe that the alpha will be in a matter of weeks. I can't imagine they would have their current subscribers waiting months to play again. I thought I remembered reading somewhere that we would be in 2.0 way before it is released for retail.

[TTred]

I honestly believe that the alpha will be in a matter of weeks.

More than likely, though the first stage of alpha is only to insure the stability of the servers before allowing international alpha testing. So, that may day a few days perhaps before the serious alpha testing? (obviously a guesstimate).

"Once we’ve confirmed that the servers are sufficiently stable, we’ll open the alpha test to players outside of Japan."

Personally, I hope that the CB testing doesn't get rushed. The initial problem with the first launch of FFXIV was a lack of recognition and action from the tester's feedback. I really want 2.0 to receive a thorough testing and proper implementation of feedback before being considered ready. I want to see a strong success for 2.0!

[Deli]

I still think they are sort of following their schedule when they announce 2.0 road map

according to that, November should be the beta not the alpha...but could be end of the Nov too...
and the full version should be jan, 2013

[Babydoll]

Didn't Yoshi say the first alpha is at end of september? >.>

[Jennestia]

Didn't Yoshi say the first alpha is at end of september? >.>

Yes, unless they pushed that back..which is most likely what happened >.> Even the German/French rep said Beta was November or something of the sort.