Square Enix ha annunicato che la Beta di Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, seconda versione del discusso MMO, sarà disponibile per PC a partire dal prossimo Febbraio. La Software House, inoltre, ha suddiviso il programma per la Beta in quattro fasi ed ognuna apporterà migliorie e nuovi contenuti. Di seguito un riassunto delle quattro fasi, il cui elenco completo è consultabile al seguente link: https://gdl.square-enix.com/ffxiv/download/en/FFXIV_2.0_BETA_Roadmap_EN.pdf
PHASE 1:
- Closed beta/NDA in place
- Commences mid-February 2013
- Duration: 2-4 weeks
- 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 implemented (morning, afternoon, evening, night, etc.)
- Part of the main scenario, sidequests, class quests dungeons available.
- Note: Phase 1 characters will be deleted at the start of phase 2.
Phase 1 will be followed by 1-2 weeks of debugging.
PHASE 2:
- Closed beta/NDA in place
- Duration: 1-3 weeks
- 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.
- Grand Companies/Grand Company exchange items, Private Chocobos.
- Chocobo raising unavailable. Additional Full Active Time Events/class quests.
Phase 2 will also be followed by 1-2 weeks of debugging.
PHASE 3:
- Closed beta/NDA in place
- Duration: 1-3 weeks
- Ps3 beta test begins
- Data centers now in Japan and overseas (previously only in Japan).
- 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.
- Testing will commence on the Ps3.
- All FFXIV service account holders qualify as testers in phase 3.
- Overseas data centre stress-testing and performance optimization.
- Note: Phase 3 characters will be deleted at the start of phase 4.
Another 1-2 weeks of debugging following Phase 3.
PHASE 4:
- Open beta/NDA lifted
- Duration: 1-2 weeks
- Phase 4 is scheduled to be an open beta.
- The PS3 version will be available.
- Characters created in Phase 4 will carry over to the official release.
- More than 20 Worlds will be available.
- All character customization options will be available.
- Version 1.0 characters can be used.