So... Phase 4 and beyond, speculation ...

[Mjollnir]

Mjoll, are you saying you think there will be downtime between early access and launch? o.o I thought once they opened the servers that would be it, no more suffering and torture.

The only reason I could see them bringing the servers down after early access would be for some kind of launch thing at Gamescom. It's a bit harsh on all the EU fans who want to go see what will be the last pre-release presentation and meet-up (though I suppose there might well be something in Tokyo on the actual day) if they're torn between that and early-access. I'M TORN!

Having said that, Gamescom is speculation. Perhaps they'll do nothing there special for ARR. I'm only thinking they will because they had a huge booth there for 1.0 and the timing is so close to launch.

[Neasa]

Didn't they say due to the huge delay for phase 3 that phase 4 would be starting quite soon after phase 3 ended? :x
Oh well, whatever. Just get it right, SE. If I have to sort my inventory and redo my action bars after phase 4, heads will roll.

[Pwnagraphic]

While I am in a hurry for Phase 4.. It'll be good to get some sleep and not be tired all week because I got 3 total hours of sleep every weekend which made me drag ass all week xD

Now.. With that said. With the recent video released from Nico-Nico. I'm shocked to see no one talking about it and what Bayhone meant by

surprises in the video, too! (I wonder if people noticed the [redacted] and [redacted]?)

Watched the video and what I saw was new armor designs, but some were like "What class and or job is that?"

[Nikkita]

I think your Schedule is pretty good. Very close to what I estimated myself. People need to remember that road map was made like 8-9 months ago. That's why they added their disclaimer. It's why they have the disclaimer about saved progress for phase 4. They're covering their butts knowing anything can happen and change. They may not have thought there would be so much "passionate" feedback.

All phases thus far have been longer than originally planned (including the down time) I think the first exception to that will be phase 4. However I think it's smart on their part to only have a week. The more time they give players to progress before launch the sooner they will be done with the content and SE would be shooting themselves in the foot because they won't have their patch ready.

That said my guess was for Phase 4 to start around the 13th. But in the same Nico Nico event it was mentioned that phase 4 would start shortly after so I would say now somewhere around the 9-12th lasting a week and then yeah I know he said only 1-3 days till early start buuuuuut don't be surprised if it ends up being like 5 since early access is probably 3-5 days. This is the standard of MMO's. I also believe they said early start will role right into launch without downtime. This ALSO being the standard of MMO's

[Chakal]

Exactly, that said and assured and we can see it's a lie, because we will have to wait almost 1 month to start phase 4

[PEANUT]

I honestly don't care as long as they don't rush it and fix whatever needs to be FIXED! Plus it gives me more time to make final decisions

[ArkhamNative]

I also believe they said early start will roll right into launch without downtime. This ALSO being the standard of MMO's

At least one other major MMO did maintenance for about 5 hours to prep for the official start of service. (Not that OP's schedule need account for every hour. ) SE usually announces such things well in advance.

[Catapult]

The roadmap hit roadworks. This schedule will do for now and I'm sure we'll manage.

[Chakal]

I know they are being very careful to make the game perfect for this need time, but it is very frustrating that we take so much time playing a beta in which it is not worth doing anything because obviously that is not saved nada.Lo want is that once and stop wasting time and that what we do worthwhile, so be now so long waiting for Phase 4 and you have the possibility that there is a critical error and again not worth anything do what frustrates me.

[Hysterior]

it is very frustrating that we take so much time playing a beta in which it is not worth doing anything because obviously that is not saved nada.

But it's not like you did not know from the start...
it's your fault if you rushed in levels and now regret they are for nothing
It was a Beta with wipe at the end, rules were pretty clear