[source] Interview taken 30MAY2013 (Translated by Reinheart)
In beta phase 3, battle system will go through some changes, what direction did it take for the changes?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
So now it’s possible to fight while constantly using some type of action?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
What do you mean by using in between weapon skill?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
If that’s so, seems like it’s going to be much busier
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
So not only does it get busier, it will require lots of strategy. If you can perform that much looks like the battle can be enjoyed not only with a party but with solo also.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
The battle system will change again but will it be something beginners can enjoy without getting confused?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
How are the caster jobs progressing?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
You’ll take in the risk on your own, but will make the spells stand out, it’s kind of like FFXI’s Scholar, so it looks interesting where you are able to come up with a strategy instead of just casting fire.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
In Phase 3 being able to play class/job is one major point.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
There were comments saying that depending on the job the quest difficulty is different, were any adjustments made?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Battle balance has been modified this time around but what do you think about balance between jobs?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
To bring in previous FF series, are there any jumps for Dragoon where they jump and not come down fora while?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
How are the buddy skills, like the one for Chocobo?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Buddies, won’t attack the mob unless the player attacks?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
So there is a limit on the amount of points?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Is there a status screen specific for Chocobo?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Can you have several buddies?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
How about I’m mounted on a buddy while having another buddy following from behind?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Alright then, how about pet (summon) and Chocobo (buddy) combination?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
It is said that in phase 3 you will be testing data import from previous XIV, is this for all the characters that was created in XIV? I believe there are few that made couple characters under one account (reworded)
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
I think everyone logged out in different areas, but where will they start? (reworded)
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
What’s going to happen to the Linkshells previous FFXIV characters had?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Will it start with all your equipment, items, and money?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Looks like TESO is releasing around the same time as XIV ARR, that game is developed by the team that did Dark Age of Camelot, which you played hardcore. Looks like it’s a fateful match.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
I see. However, doesn’t it look like this year it’s going to be different?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
FFXIV now has Japanese voice and looks more like a consume game
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Soken (FFXIV ARR Sound Director) mentioned about sound track during the test broadcast.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
How many tracks are there for FFXIV ARR?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Looks like there isn’t much MMORPG’s out there that takes in BGM as important, but with that FFXIV ARR is abnormal
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Soken san is making the most?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
The others are Mizuta san and Uematsu san? These 3?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
For FFXIV project there was support from President Wada, but with his resignation what kind of effect will FFXIV take?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Nothing at all?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
For a while, so does that mean Mr. Housing is coming back?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
How about President Matsuda?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
You announced release date of 8/27. The release timing was as expected but the announcement timing was unexpected. I was thinking phase 3 was first going to start after E3 then once server stability was confirmed with the PS3 version it was going to be announced. When I heard of the announcement I was thinking to myself “He’s taking some risk” but what’s the reason behind deciding on this release timing?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Let me ask you this, since you haven’t tested the PS3 version not even once, you won’t know what’s going to happen during the beta test. What if some major problem occurred and ended up where you didn’t like it, what are you going to do?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
That is true, but for an online game, since there is that risk, I believe most of the time the release timing isn’t announced early.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
I see.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
That is true. I knew you were going to answer it that way (laugh). This goes for me also but there are players that would see that answer and feel relief. That’s because previous FFXIV failed big time on that one.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
I’m sure you know this but there are those that think like you in the gaming industry, on the other hand there are those that hold back on the quality but priorities on releases. You are Square-Enix’s corporate executive so as a company it wouldn’t be surprising if it was a decision as a company to avoid any further delays. But looking at you until now, I felt that you were not that type of person.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
But, does that mean the bug fix for the PS3 version is pretty much nearing it’s end?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
So it won’t crash if few hundred players all gathered in town right?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Collectors Edition was sold out instantly.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Do you have plans on additional production?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
How many players are you expecting in phase 3?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Oh wow, can’t believe that much for beta.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
For phase 3 duration, are you going to do 2 month fully till August?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Then from June 14th till when?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
So if it goes as planned then it will end around mid July, so from there you’ll go back to redevelopment?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Then when will phase 4, the open beta test where anyone can play start?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
So it’s up to phase 3 then.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Say phase 3 ends smoothly in mid-July then when will phase 4 start?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
It was said the early access bonus from Collectors Edition is about 5 days, but open beta is about one week?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Then say if it was right before the release date, why did you separate the open beta (phase 4) and early access?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Are you going to wipe character data in open beta?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
But if you’re not going to wipe character data during open beta, wouldn’t that lower the merit of early access?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
You make character during open beta, and if you can play that character in official service, there isn’t much reason to purchase the Collectors Edition and participate in the early access.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
I see. So looks like people will dash start from open beta but you’re okay with that?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
Hope there isn’t any unexpected trouble post phase 3 and be able to meet the August's official service.
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
This time we focused on the PS3 version in the interview but I believe there are many that will say “I’m of course going to be playing on the PC version” when are you going to announce the optimal PC or optimal gamepad information?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida
This year we got Haswell and GeForce 700 series coming out around the same time, so we’ll have lots of optimal PC’s with those setup?
Originally Posted by Naoki_Yoshida