The Final Fantasy XIV closed beta is underway! If you didn't get in don't worry, the opportunity is still available. The Collector's Edition (PC) is set to release on September 22nd, 2010, with the standard version following up on the 30th. As we get closer to launch, you can expect the primary focus to shift to stress testing. Two months left! Follow the steps below to get registered. If you picked up FFXIII for PS3, there should be a code you can use to register for the XIV PS3 beta.
Log-in Capacity
During the initial stages of the beta test, the number of players allowed to be logged in at any given time will be limited, with capacity to gradually increase as adjustments are performed on server load. Should the maximum capacity already be reached when you attempt to log in, a message will appear indicating that the world is currently congested, and you will be asked to try again in a short while. At this time you will be placed on a waiting list in the order of attempted log-in time. To maintain your position on the waiting list, you must initiate the log-in procedure again within ten minutes of your first attempt.
Feedback Submission
While playing, please feel free to submit your opinions on anything at all regarding topics such as game balance issues, settings that you may have found difficult to understand, and features that you felt were inconvenient, unintuitive, or required further explanation. This can be done by posting in the relevant feedback thread. Please note, however, that these threads should not be used to report bugs.
* A bug report form exists for the use of testers who have been assigned the task of reporting bugs.
Numerous changes and improvements have been implemented in the beta version of FINAL FANTASY XIV based on feedback submitted during alpha testing. We kindly ask for your continued assistance in the beta test phase.
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 long will the beta test be? A: We’re actually trying to figure that out ourselves.
Q: About how much will be playable in the beta version? A: Not even half. We want to balance the game while revealing as little as we can. We’ll start with an alpha test, but there will hardly be anything in it at all. That way it’s easier to implement users’ opinions into the game.
Q: Please tell us the recommended specs for the Windows alpha and beta tests. A: At this point we’re trying to adjust the game to fit computers as well as possible, so the alpha test may require quite a powerful CPU. The graphics board must be DirectX 9 compliant, but should work with graphics boards from a few years ago. 512MB of VRAM should be enough. More detailed specs will be available on the beta test site.
Q: Will the beta test start at the same time for PS3 and Windows? A: The alpha test will only be for Windows, but we’re not sure about the beta test yet.
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.
