We're still hoping to hear news about the MAG beta, but there was another PlayStation 3 exclusive MMO that debuted at Sony's E3 press conference…
And of course, it needs a beta. As noted by Massively , there are a few pieces of evidence that point towards a sooner-than-anticipated beta test for Final Fantasy XIV . The primary piece of information comes from a new fansite called Eorzeapedia , which cites various new Square-Enix job listings for "new game testers and game masters." Such applicants are asked to have "good knowledge" of Final Fantasy XI , and the work will begin in September. Secondly, the announced release date for FFXIV at the press conference was 2010 and furthermore, Square-Enix has already expressed their desire to have a longer beta test that FFXI, which clocked in at four months long. Sooo…if you put all this together, it points towards a beta launch some time later this year, and perhaps as early as autumn. Is anyone else suddenly seeing a clash of titans between MAG and FFXIV in the very near future? Thankfully, both will appeal to very different types of gamers, so one shouldn't suffer under the shadow of the other.
We'll let you know if we can dig up any official updates on the FFXIV beta, and if it does launch this year, you can bet we'll want to be part of it!
Related Game(s): Final Fantasy XIV
It dosent say anything about FFXIV. Just that they are looking for testers. I hope it is about FFXIV though.
meeeeh
Well at least it'll be free
Beta already? I suppose the Spring 2010 release may actually be true.
This game is likely to ruin my life again, well at least for a couple years.
I hear ya, although Beta's are usually (always?) PC only right? Unless of course it's a PS3 exclusive like LBP or Uncharted2. Damn, dunno how well my pc would handle it but I would LOVE to get in on this. I don't expect to see it happen by the end of this year, that's a little too good to be true, but um .. I'd take next Spring or Summer.
PS3, PC, Xbox, Genesis, or Atari beta doesn't matter. If the opportunity arrives it's a done deal for me.
A thought just struck me because of this news. I'm wondering whether anyone else agrees. We seem to be getting a lot of game Beta releases these days. In days gone by, gamers didn't see a game until it was on the retail shelf. Reviews were based on retail games and occasionally previews that the reviewers were fortunate enough to score.
But now a lot of games have pretty wide Beta releases. Just look at Uncharted 2.
I was thinking about this and I can't help wondering whether this kind of thing ultimately hurts the game? Does a beta give detractors and potential buyers too long to focus on the deficiencies of a game (that is in Beta) so that when the release version comes around, They're all ready with reasons not to buy it?
There used to be that exclusivity of buying a game on pre-order or day 1, but now you have the beta release as well. It kinda seems to detract from the whole Day 1 purchase aura.
Well, anyway, I think it's amazingly quick for a beta release of FFXIV, but hey, whatever floats their boat. The quicker they can get their games to market the better.
I agree, but since Beta's always focus on the Multiplayer modes only (Resistance2 and Uncharted2) there still is plenty of game left that you didn't get to play. Demo's of the game's single player experiences have been around for a very long time though. I was buying demo discs since I got my PS1 way back when and that didn't seem to detract anyone from buying games, if anything it helps to sell a game that isn't a well known franchise like Final Fantasy or Grand Turismo.
keep in mind that betas are designed for testing purposes, its not like its a extra early demo, its designed so potential problems and things being unbalanced are addressed, so in the end, it does benefit gamers
Agreed, Zemus.
Still a good observation and probably true for a small percentage of sales. Then you have to look at the flip side where people who may never have picked up the game enjoyed the beta enough to warrant a purchase.
Ultimately I think it serves the developers and community well to continue public beta tests.
I guess I'm f'd because both MAG and FF14 appeal to me.
Same here…
Well, that will be pretty neat. I doubt I'll be one of the few people that will be able to BETA test it.
On another note, I'm guessing the rumor of Final Fantasy XI coming to PS3 was mistaken for Final Fantasy XIV?
Wonder how they'll select the testers?
i havent been excited for any BETA besides this one… hope i get a email from them hehe…
me too kupo
lol kupo
Yeah, I would really like to get involved in this beta if possible.
I look forward to the full release of this game. I've never done any MMORPGs; WoW didnt draw my attention when it came out, also at that time my PC then wasn't up to handle running the game.
This game however (being an FF title) does have some appeal and since it'll run on the PS3 there's no worry for video cards/ram and all the tech stuff.
The job listings are for actual paid jobs with Square-Enix. Normal beta testing doesn't involve getting paid, right?
For any chance of a beta invite when it does happen. It's worth registering on the Official FFXIV site
And also registering on Square-Enix accounts site and if you have a Playonline account from playing FFXI, link that to it.
https://secure.square-enix.com/account/app/svc/Login?cont=account
The more they know you the better the chance, eh?
How awesome would it be to have that as your job title?
"Hey! What do you do for a living?"
I turn around dramatically, slowly take off my sunglasses while wearing my power glove.
"I'm a Game Master!"
That's awesome, I think I'll do that anyways >.>
[GM] FTW!
Wow but hope its free for all.
i dont think it will be
It looks like I'll be forced to use the online capabilities of my ps3 for this game! But I'm more interested on playing FFXIII than FFXIV.
what about versus 13????
that probably won't be released untill 2011
Can anyone else remember another instance when there was talk of a beta for a game whose prequel hadn't even been released yet?
Last edited by NonProphet on 6/22/2009 6:03:50 PM
lol…
I just got the beta code for pre-ordering Aion so Im gonna skip this one. I have seen my friend play Aion, and I have to say Im more excited for that over FF14.
But you haven't seen FF14 gameplay so how can you compare O_o
FF 14 looks like 11, and I already preordered Aion, so Im not gonna pay for 2 MMOs that are subscription based. Im not comparing the gameplay, just the fact I dont feel like paying to play 2 games every month.
the both appeal to me very heavily. i just hope that this FFMMO is free. i would assume it is because it is on the psn. but i have been wrong just once before. lol
Well, FF11 was a subscription based MMO, so I expect this to be as well. The PSN may be free, but that doesnt mean the devs cant charge for their games.
If this beta comes to PS3 I'll be right there!
i am not sure about this one, I just know I want them to finish ff13 and v13 and release them!
one thing squenix doesn't know how to do is prioritizing
No really, where is the info on FFXIII versus?
This is debunked by every news site, the latest beta news is that it will start in 2010; http://www.ffxivfan.com/final-fantasy-14/beta/