SE is always SE... Rage inside... :/

[Velhart]

Yes, they are a potential audience that SE wants to win back with the release of ARR.

Apart from that, it is a testing phase. They aren't looking for "who is worthy??" Type stuff because it is just to test out new features of the game and performance. It is not the full product.

The thing is however that alpha isn't where you want to show off the game. The main point of alpha is to stress test the game and find and game breaking bugs/mechanics. Anyone who was or was not an active FFXIV player can help achieve this for them.

I am just led to believe that people were picked entirely by random (active or not) and I don't believe a priority system exists for the Alpha.

[Kallera]

The thing is however that alpha isn't where you want to show off the game. The main point of alpha is to stress test the game and find and game breaking bugs/mechanics. Anyone who was or was not an active FFXIV player can help achieve this for them.

I am just led to believe that people were picked entirely by random (active or not) and I don't believe a priority system exists for the Alpha.

Which is why they were also included. "Hey, remember that game you used to play? Were improving the game now and want your feedback so that you can enjoy it."

They aren't the whole group of testers.