I'm sure some of you either didn't know, or forgot about it, but SE are live-streaming the alpha this morning.

They're using the terri-bad niconico JP site to stream it. Which is bad because it forces everyone to have accounts, and then only X number of people can actually watch the video before it locks out, and people with premium accounts automatically boot off non-premium from being able to watch the video. Sucks.

Luckily, someone who has the video open is re-streaming it out via Twitch:

http://ja.twitch.tv/feed_rss (EDIT: All over now I think)

So far they've announced that all Legacy members will get into beta phase 1. Non-legacy can apply to get in from phase 3 onwards, or something like that, I think?

Some pictures from so far:















Will update if anything else comes up.

EDIT: Nope, think that's it. It's all in Japanese though, and they said tons of stuff. Need to wait for someone who understands what was being said to translate it.

EDIT2: Hey, is that male miqo'te wearing two swords?

The Beta Roadmap:

http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com/pl ... ndex2.html

Phase 1
Mid-February

- Phase 1 characters will be deleted at the start of phase 2.
- The data center will be located in Japan.
- Between 5 and 10 Worlds will be available.
- All races and genders will be playable.
* Certain customization options will be unavailable until phase 3.

- The level cap will be set to 35.
- Eorzea time will be implemented (morning, afternoon, evening, night, etc.)
- All Legacy status holders qualify as testers in phase 1.

- The following will be implemented for testing: Main scenario (partial) / Sidequests / Class quests / Full Active Time Events Hunting Log / New behest / Dungeons (up to level 35) Opening event (excluding CG movie) / Cutscenes / Player Search Markets / Item Search (text strings, HQ, materia, etc.) / Other

- In addition to the above, the following is also scheduled: Fall damage testing / Alpha feedback revisions (part I) Alpha UI feedback revisions (part I) / Graphical tweaks Performance optimization

Phase 2
3-6 Weeks Later

- Phase 2 characters will be deleted at the start of phase 3.
- The data center will be located in Japan.
- Between 10 and 15 Worlds will be available.
- All races and genders will be playable.
* Certain customization options will be unavailable until phase 3.

- The level cap will be set to 35.
- Gamepad control will be implemented.
- The following will be implemented for testing: Grand Companies / Grand Company exchange items Private chocobos (chocobo raising unavailable) / Additional sidequests Additional class quests / Additional Full Active Time Events / Other

- In addition to the above, the following is also scheduled: Gamepad control adjustments & feedback confirmation Alpha feedback revisions (part II) / Alpha UI feedback revisions (part II) UI optimization testing / Beta phase 1 feedback revisions Performance optimization

Phase 3
4-5 Weeks Later

- Phase 3 characters will be deleted at the start of phase 4.
- Data centers will be located in Japan and overseas.
- More than 20 Worlds will be available.
- All character customization options will be available.
- The level cap will be set to 35 or above (TBD).

- Version 1.0 characters can be used.
* In this case, the level cap will be that of the Version 1.0 character’s.

- Testing will commence on the PlayStation®3.
- All FFXIV service account holders qualify as testers in phase 3.

- The following will be implemented for testing: Limsa Lominsa and Ul’dah leveling paths / Additional sidequests Additional class quests / Additional Full Active Time Events / Additional dungeons Free companies (formation and management) / Free company points / Linkshells Limit Break / Materia crafting / Other

- In addition to the above, the following is also scheduled: Beta phase 2 feedback revisions / Version 1.0 data migration testing Overseas data center stress testing / Performance optimization

Phase 4
"Open Beta", 2-5 Weeks Later

- Phase 4 is scheduled to be an open beta.
- The PlayStation®3 version will be available.
- Characters created during this phase will be carried over to the official release.
* Circumstance may necessitate the deletion of character data.
- More than 20 Worlds will be available.
- All character customization options will be available.
- Version 1.0 characters can be used.

- The Duty Finder (player matching feature) will be implemented.
- The Level Sync feature will be implemented.
- Stress testing will be conducted on the housing system.
- Testing will be conducted on the PvP Coliseum.
- Benefits such as early access may be offered between the open beta and official release.

- Version 1.0 service account holders will be able to download the commercial ARR client free of charge.
* Those wishing to play on PlayStation®3 are required to purchase a copy of the game for that system.

* Please access the Beta Tester Application Site (opening early January 2013) for more information on the beta schedule and application procedures.

Launch
1-2 Weeks Later

Using the maximum time given for each phase estimates that FFXIV A Realm Reborn will launch approximately June/July.

omg so far away for release

Neat I wasn't expecting the entire game to be basically available for beta. I'm really afraid to use my 1.0 character though for testing. What if they have to do a character wipe? Will she still be preserved for launch? They said characters in the latest stage of beta will carry over to launch, does that also mean any progress for 1.0 players? Or will we still be reset to the 1.0 final save upon launch?

Btw, just in case there is any questioning, Yoshi apparently confirmed in the stream chat that Legacy players WILL get into phase 1 beta.

This is good news for me since Im having the worst luck with invites.

_________________
COBRA KAI DOJO NEVER DIES
RIP Shiloh

WOW! I am so excited. Manthra looks cool, I can't wait to try it out in beta. I'm glad they are offering so much content.

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I wonder if the line about purchasing the game for PS3 means we need to buy it to get the client and be able to play, or if you need a license to even log into your account on the PS3. I liked being able to share discs for FFXI without having to buy the game twice each time.

_________________
[In Yarr we trust.]

I'm pretty sure they mean that they wont be distributing the software for free like they are the pc version. So you can still log in with your existing credentials, but you have to buy the physical disc to access the game.