Letter from the Producer, XXXVII (10/26/2012)

[Stanislaw]

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/56778
http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to...29c9dd24cf1cc0


Hello again to all you FFXIVers out there, and to all of you eagerly awaiting FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn. Yoshi-P here, bringing you the thirty-seventh Letter from the Producer.

I know you’ve all been on pins and needles wondering when they would come, but as we recently announced in a Topics article, acceptance notifications for the alpha test of A Realm Reborn have finally been sent out!

So long as we don’t feel the bite of any deadly bugs while we finish preparations, the alpha test will begin on October 29, 2012. We’ve prepared a forum exclusively for alpha testers which includes schedule details, so be sure to check it out and ready yourselves for a whole new chapter in the history of Eorzea.

Also, we’re going to continue adding testers with each phase, so if you weren’t selected the first time around, you may still have a chance to lend your talents to the cause.

Though there are plans to release even more new info regarding ARR over the next few weeks, I know you guys don’t like to wait, so I snuck in a few screenshots of our stress testing the servers for your viewing pleasure.


(Stanislaw's notes: click to enlarge screen)

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../35/7523_0.jpg

Adventurers turned up in droves to put one of the new instanced dungeons, Tam-Tara Deepcroft, through its paces.


http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../35/7523_1.jpg

As you can see, the new engine can handle a lot of characters at once, and I even had the settings set to high. (In case you’re wondering, everyone is sporting exclusive alpha gear for the dungeon.)


http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../35/7523_2.jpg

In preparation for the beta and official release versions, we’ve also been testing new content that pits large groups against enormous foes. There’s some chatting going on in the log, but the content name is wrong. (lol)


http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../35/7523_3.jpg

One of our staff members took a widescreen snap while we were trading blows with the mighty adamantoise.

So, um, I haven’t actually told the marketing team about these screenshots yet, so they’re probably going to get mad. At any rate, our internal testing is over, and we’re bracing ourselves for the actual alpha.

Of course, the grand finale for the current version of the game is almost here as well. You won’t want to miss it, so be sure to glue yourselves to your monitors come November 11!

I know this letter was short, but it’s time for me to get back to working on the alpha test. Catch you all again soon!

[Gokulo]

Hello again to all you FFXIVers out there, and to all of you eagerly awaiting FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn. Yoshi-P here, bringing you the thirty-seventh Letter from the Producer.

I know you’ve all been on pins and needles wondering when they would come, but as we recently announced in a Topics article, acceptance notifications for the alpha test of A Realm Reborn have finally been sent out!

So long as we don’t feel the bite of any deadly bugs while we finish preparations, the alpha test will begin on October 29, 2012. We’ve prepared a forum exclusively for alpha testers which includes schedule details, so be sure to check it out and ready yourselves for a whole new chapter in the history of Eorzea.

Also, we’re going to continue adding testers with each phase, so if you weren’t selected the first time around, you may still have a chance to lend your talents to the cause.

Though there are plans to release even more new info regarding ARR over the next few weeks, I know you guys don’t like to wait, so I snuck in a few screenshots of our stress testing the servers for your viewing pleasure.

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../35/7523_4.jpg

Adventurers turned up in droves to put one of the new instanced dungeons, Tam-Tara Deepcroft, through its paces.

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../35/7523_5.jpg

As you can see, the new engine can handle a lot of characters at once, and I even had the settings set to high. (In case you’re wondering, everyone is sporting exclusive alpha gear for the dungeon.)

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../35/7523_6.jpg

In preparation for the beta and official release versions, we’ve also been testing new content that pits large groups against enormous foes. There’s some chatting going on in the log, but the content name is wrong. (lol)

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../35/7523_7.jpg

One of our staff members took a widescreen snap while we were trading blows with the mighty adamantoise.


So, um, I haven’t actually told the marketing team about these screenshots yet, so they’re probably going to get mad. At any rate, our internal testing is over, and we’re bracing ourselves for the actual alpha.

Of course, the grand finale for the current version of the game is almost here as well. You won’t want to miss it, so be sure to glue yourselves to your monitors come November 11!

I know this letter was short, but it’s time for me to get back to working on the alpha test. Catch you all again soon!

Jesus christ do want.

[Makwa]

My buddy and I are already saving up paid days off for the release, whenever it may be.
Seeing these screens makes me excited.

[Stanislaw]

Doh. Two threads at once. Will a mod care to merge/remove this thread, please?

[Insanecyclone]

I wonder if he dropped a heavy cuirass or sipar

[Ratatapa]

D feet

[Patriarch]

double abody and egg

haters

[Ratatapa]

2 Things i noted from those SS

SS #3 Finally you seem to be able to hit with BIG Terrain range

SS#4 It seems you can see the NM lv instead of just ??

Of course this can all change

[Gokulo]

You mean terrain difference

Also, no-one said adamantoise might not be a normal monster

Personally, I wonder what's that thingy next to the quests on Screen #1.

Also, enmity gauges are not there? :<

[Ropeydonkey]

Yep - pics make me moist. GJ SE.

Love the archers all up at high level.

Maybe a tiny bit concerned by 'settings set to high', but hopefully some gfx card settings will ramp things up a bit.

[Ratatapa]

You mean terrain difference

Also, no-one said adamantoise might not be a normal monster

Personally, I wonder what's that thingy next to the quests on Screen #1.

Also, enmity gauges are not there? :<

True he might just be normal

The enmity gauge could be that red circle next to him?

[Gokulo]

No, I mean previous screen had enmity gauges below each character in party, but they are not there now. Either "not in alpha" or they went back to the icon like we have now :<

[TacoTaru]

I only care about the turtle in that third picture. Need behemor pictures now.

[Kurokikaze]

I can't get over how gorgeous the game looks... Holy shit.

No, I mean previous screen had enmity gauges below each character in party, but they are not there now. Either "not in alpha" or they went back to the icon like we have now :<

Or he turned them off.

[Waraji]

(In case you’re wondering, everyone is sporting exclusive alpha gear for the dungeon.)

Alpha as fuq.

[Nadrojj]

Looks great. So happy to see the return of the giant turtle. One of my favorite mob skins from 11. Also like the fact that as an archer/bard I can take advantage of terrain.

[shidobu]

D feet

oh my god if they put a pair of boots labeled "defeated". Day 1 sub again... Game looks promising (knocks on wood)

[miokomioko]

Looks really good, though I am more than ready to see what something other than the Black Shroud looks like.

[Gulkeeva]

Since their adding alot stuff from FF11 in... wonder if the ark angels will be added in mmm mithra.. er miqo'te ark angel *drools*

[miokomioko]

I'm actually kinda' tired of them borrowing XI models now. If they are going to continue this theme of constant FF throwbacks, I wish they would borrow some models from other installations. I am very glad they didn't use XI's Ahriman.