It's official! SquareEnix is now accepting beta applications for the Windows version of Final Fantasy XIV only. PS3 testing details will be released at a later date, according to the testing page. Tester selection will be based on your application. SE will be looking for a wide array of PC configurations including both hardware and operating systems to test the game on. Entry into the beta test will not be based upon time of submission and there will be numerous rounds of tester selection, with the total number of participants increasing each time. Once you are selected, you are in for the remaining portion of the beta. It is not necessary to reapply to different phases.
That's it! SquareEnix will contact you if you are accepted into the beta. For more information check out FFXIV Vault's Beta Handbook. In the mean time, keep an eye on your email and visit the FFXIV Forums to stay up to date on the latest beta info.
Recent Q&A
Q: What kind of time frame are you thinking of for the beta test? A: We don't intend to set a specific time frame for the test, but if we begin too close to a finished product, we cannot apply the opinions and reactions of the users. Therefore, we want to let users try out the game in its unfinished state, and from there we will take in user feedback and gradually build together towards a final version. However, we have to avoid making it too much trial-and-error, or it would be more of a development process than a beta test, which could pose problems. For instance, the servers would need to be shut down for days at a time while the developers work on the game, and I think it would be difficult to run a smooth beta test. I can't really say anything definitive about the length of the beta test at this time.
Q: How much of the game will players be able to experience in the beta? A: We started at about 10% of the final product with the playable Alpha version and are ultimately trying to perfect the underlying game system. The bulk of the game won't be made public until the retail version is out.
Q: What can you tell us about the transition from the Beta to the final version or about world transfers in general? A: Once service starts, we want to make it so you can move along with the friends you make during the Beta to the same world. As for world transfers, that may be a possibility in the future, with some limitations probably.
Overview
A MMORPG beta test is generally conducted in multiple stages, the first being conducted primarily by "inside members" of the company, development team, etc. One could consider this the final stage of actual game development (not including content expansion). The tests to follow are generally done in waves, and select members are chosen sometimes from mailing lists, sometimes from direct applications, sometimes keys are given to different hubs for distribution (ie: FilePlanet) and sometimes to dedicated communities like the one you're at now. Also, make sure to pre-order the game as soon as the option becomes available.
These members are then given access to a special forum where they will be in close communication with the developers to work out any glitches found. During this stage they are usually put under an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) which means they are not allowed to provide information about the game to the public during the testing period. This stage usually occupies the bulk of the beta.
Once the major bugs and glitches have been ironed out, an open beta will likely be conducted with the goal of testing the server's capability to handle major traffic and find any little bugs that might have been overlooked. There's no guarenteed way to be selected for beta , though, oftentimes it's necessary to test a wide variety of PC configurations.