Official global alpha start date: November 28th.

[Sephiroth]

I think this is why some people in the thread feel like VoIP is unnecessary. XI/XIV are so slow paced/repetitive/easy, that you could probably get through 90% of any content without actually typing/saying a word to anyone. If XIV 2.0 is going to be anywhere near a modern MMO, things are going to be much faster paced and complicated, and thus, you will need a faster way to convey more complex strategies.

Let's look at some current WoW content to compare. (stop reading now if you really don't give a shit about the application of VoIP over text)

There is an encounter in one of the new raids where 3 people must phase themselves into another phase by killing a totem that spawns to kill tons of adds that spawn that kill your raid, but are only killable by those 3 people who phased themselves out. After those 3 people are teleported out of their phase (they have 20ish seconds to kill as many adds as they can), they can't enter that phase again for 30 seconds. You must constantly be rotating people into that phase that are capable of entering to kill adds.

You might think, "Oh, that's easy, just keep rotating 6 people in groups.". Wrong. The boss also randomly picks 3 members that are not inside that are given a debuff that prevents them from entering the add phase for 60 seconds. All members of the raid must communicate when they are able/unable to enter the add phase. Sometimes, those 60 second debuffs can go out right as the group of 3 people are killing that totem to enter the phase. When that happens, very quick communication must happen (within 5-10 seconds) on who now has the debuff, who's debuff is still on from a previous entry into that phase, and who is available to enter the phase. You pretty much have to send 1 healer and 2 DD into the phase to get the adds down and meet the healing requirement in that phase, so you can't just pile up everyone available to go in and let the game decide 3 of the 4-6 people available to enter that phase, because you might end up with 2 healers and 1 DD killing adds, and too many adds will pile up and you will wipe.

These are the types of encounters I'm talking about. There is almost no possibility of communicating fast enough over text to get that shit figured out. You will have 3 out of your 10 members dead from adds that you can't see killing you before you even know what the hell is going on.

How hard would it be to have a macro set up tailored for this raid to say that you are able to enter that add phase or that you are not? Sounds rather simple to me because it's a yes/no thing. The things with many variables are what is hardest to communicate via text.

You might say it's harder to read it in the heat of battle, but I say to that - what if all 10 people or whatever in your raid speak at the same time? There's sure to be some overlapping speech when you need everyone to communicate in such a short period of time. Another issue is if you are watching the battle you may miss who said what.

[Karinastar]

Unfortunately I think that encounter design may lean towards being a bit slower paced simply due to PS3 users. SE is going to have to make content accessible to PS3 users who won't generally have aids such as voice chat, UI addons, keyboard macros/gaming mice and so on that people use in WoW and other MMOs. I'm sure you could probably clear anything in WoW using only text and no addons if you devise a system of shorthand codes for every encounter mechanic, but I doubt SE will set the bar that high. I think the whole global cooldown was also designed to make input needed a bit less rapid, even if with the new gamepad UI/control scheme controller users could keep up ok (assuming it's as responsive as Tera's, which it seems to be copying). If anything, I think strategies will be more about precise execution of tactics rather than reaction speed. It really seems like they're trying to make sure the console users aren't disadvantaged as much as possible, and having hardmodes tuned as much as some other games would leave the guy sitting on his couch with a PS3 controller and USB keyboard out in the cold. With how large of a percentage of JP players will likely play on console only, that's unfortunately not something I think they can do.

[Izzy]

Yeah, I really hope the PS3 doesn't handicap the content too hard. Totally forgot about that.

[Waraji]

...what if all 10 people or whatever in your raid speak at the same time? There's sure to be some overlapping speech when you need everyone to communicate in such a short period of time. Another issue is if you are watching the battle you may miss who said what.

These are words of someone who hasn't been in a well run VOIP server, or any at all. What If, I Run Out Of Macro Blocks From All The Goddamn Macro's I've Had To Set Up Over The Course Of All The Content In The Game? Must I then be forced to continuously delete and create new macros every time we have to go into a fight? What If Bro?

[Rocl]

The real debate is whether to push-to-talk or not

[Toth]

So I was just tweeted this:

Nova Crystallis ‏@Nova_Crystallis

Good news: all FFXIV Legacy members get access to the beta test!

[Rocl]

Yeah, was about to say the Niconico stream is apparently giving out new (exciting) info.

Full beta info/road map due 1 hour after stream ends
Touch screen support for Windows 8 (lol)
PC Specs or some shit

Spoiler: show

- HighEnd Core i7 3.5GHz / GTX680 / Windows 8 Pro 64bit
- Mid Core i5 750 2.66GHz Radeon HD5750 Win 8 pro 64bit
- LowEnd Core 2 duo 3.0GHz 8800GT Windows 8 Pro 64bit

Dungeons will have a bunch of gimmicks reminiscent of older Final Fantasies (idk wat that means)
Apparently confirmed for PS Vita???

I think it just ended.

[Rocl]

Some screen caps an OF forum user? got (vax)

[Egon]

Dual wield??

[Churchill]

was already talked about in their plans for the future

[Egon]

I wish I knew about this stream, this looks like good stuff.

[Raldo]

Good god, I hope that's not seriously what they're going with for WVR AF.

That hat-on-a-skullcap was dumb, but that whole set they've associated it with now... no, just... ew.

[Waraji]

Finally some damn information to detour the conversation from VOIP.

P.S. Always P2T, don't want to listen to how neglectful of a parent you are from across the country.

[Gulkeeva]

Looks like I'm going to need to update my PC, if thats high end system requirements! (also if their making it 64bit mmo, /yay)

also.. miqo'te panty shot ftw~

[Egon]

Looks like I'm going to need to update my PC, if thats high end system requirements! (also if their making it 64bit mmo, /yay)

also.. miqo'te panty shot ftw~

I'm sure they are saying 64bit so you can use more than 3GB of RAM

[Waraji]

Looks like I'm going to need to update my PC, if thats high end system requirements! (also if their making it 64bit mmo, /yay)

also.. miqo'te panty shot ftw~

Might have to do some retrofitting myself. Drop some Water Cooling and OC to 4.0, and either nab a 680+ or wait to see if SLI compatibility and couple my current 560ti.

[Rocl]

Just to cover my ass, I'm pulling this from someone else's translation/English comments during the stream so I wouldn't like y'know buy anything right now.

I figure we'll know more in about 30min or so (hopefully)

[Kami]

Whats the stream you guys are talking about ?

[Rakisho]

VOIP during is all about handling unforseen situations. If you think a macro is enough for that, you should not raid in anything that has content more difficult than FFXIV 1.0 and FFXI. There is no argument against this, so don't even try.

(Sorry to drag on that conversation, I'm done with it now at least).

[Karinastar]

Fuck yeah dual wield!

I was going to pick up a HD7950 and had assumed it would be overkill considering my old 5850 is able to run Alpha at near max. Oh well, at worst it'll probably be a matter of turning shadows down or something.

PSVita has to be a mistranslation or a troll attempt. Maybe they're talking about external apps like the ones they were talking about for managing auctions/retainers....