Letter from the Producer, XLII (02/06/2013)

[Tonka]

Letter from the Producer, XLII (02/06/2013)

Hello again to all of you eagerly awaiting FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn. Yoshi-P here, bringing you the forty-second Letter from the Producer!

The team and I have been working tirelessly to meet our deadlines for the upcoming beta test. While I'm sure the wait has been unbearable, you'll be happy to know that I've just completed my last round of checks. We're now making final adjustments to the client, doing our best to stay on track.
Although phase one will be limited to areas around Gridania like the alpha test, there will be plenty of Full Active Time Events to try, and we've put everything we've got into creating an exciting game experience. It won't be long now before the testing begins, and in my next letter you can expect an announcement for the starting date.

After posting the forty-first letter, there was a lot of clamoring for more screenshots, especially of the Elezen female. I'm always looking for an excuse to toy with the character creator, so I took a few screenshots myself. They're not as dazzling as our usual promo shots, but I hope you enjoy them all the same.

The Elezen female striking a pose. Could she be Eorzea's Next Top Model?

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../9d/8723_0.jpg

As a finishing touch, I added some highlights to her hair.

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../9d/8723_1.jpg

Here she is relaxing in the Black Shroud, enjoying the game's natural lighting.

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../9d/8723_2.jpg

Here's the Lalafell male. If I were a Lalafell, I'd want to look like this guy.

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../9d/8723_3.jpg

He can look tough, but he's still cute enough to charm the ladies.

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../9d/8723_4.jpg

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../9d/8723_5.jpg

Of course, I had to add another benchmark screenshot (again, pay no mind to the scoring). We're running our final tests using various PC specs.

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/to.../9d/8723_6.jpg

Starting February 10, I'll be away from the office on a media tour that will pave the way for the beta test. I'll be traveling around the world, stopping in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London, getting the word out to various media outlets and giving them a taste of the new FINAL FANTASY XIV. All regions will be receiving information at the same time, so be sure to keep an eye out!

Oh, before I forget, Letter from the Producer LIVE Part V is planned for the day after I return from the tour. After aerial adventures, strenuous schedules, and jarring jetlag, what will become of the broadcast? You'll find out when details are posted on the Lodestone.

See you next time, on the forums, or in the Beta Test! http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/i...lies/smile.png

[Stanislaw]

Is it just me or does the Elezen neck look longer than usual? I'm guessing it's probably because of the clothes, though.

[Nadrojj]

I'm guessing we won't see beta till at least the 20th with his planned trip. Lalafels creep me out.

[miokomioko]

I wonder where he's headed in SF... I work across the street from IGN~

[Alkar]

I doubt IGN even cares about ARR.

[Kurokikaze]

I doubt IGN even cares about ARR.

This.

Also, who is looking at the Elezen female's neck??? >.>;

[miokomioko]

I doubt it too, but the potential comeback story is interesting to the gaming community regardless of the actual game.

[Koul]

hhnnngggg. that lalafell is adorable. damn these races, making it so hard to choooooooossseee

[Tonka]

Nice to see a new Lala male haircut. I hope there are more. NORMALLY I would assume there would be...but I have learned to assume nothing with these peoples.

[vadre]

Pretty sure it's confirmed that all races are getting multiple new hairdos.

[Niiro]

The taru's hair looks like a copy paste of the elv M hairstyle.

[Lucavi]

^ Man games recycle hairstyles from race to race, but it looks a little different, IMO. Looks like he's rocking some "Zidane or obligatory spunky young JRPG protagonist" hairstyle in the front.

[Gokulo]

Yeah, someone on OP noticed that too: (the hyur one is from roegadyn, dunno about the f lala)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps75456421.png

[Charismatic]

Its from Miqo'te

[Niiro]

^ Man games recycle hairstyles from race to race, but it looks a little different, IMO. Looks like he's rocking some "Zidane or obligatory spunky young JRPG protagonist" hairstyle in the front.

I certainly don't mind if they make hairstyles inter-racially available just felt like pointing it out, more options are more options.

It just sort of stuck out to me because the taru hairstyles have always been pretty different from other races, not used to seeing that kind of hair on a taru and the degree of similarity to the elv style just made it looks like a wig.

[Lucavi]

I... don't think I'd like to see Taru hairstyles on other races, to be honest. They're so doofy and off-the-wall. Can you imagine that little creme-puff one on a Galka?

[TacoTaru]

Onion heads for all races.

[miokomioko]

I briefly used a hair/face swapping application back in 1.0 and I have to say, this Hyur female hairstyle looks hot on Miqo'te. I hope it's legitimately available.

[Nadrojj]

I'm hoping for a full on wizard beard option. I had the chinstrap but a full on wizard beard would be awesome.

[Tonka]

I remember when WoW was like "NEW HAIRSTYLES" and most were just recycled. I did not care for it then, and I won't likely care for it again. It's like they ran out of time and were like AW SCREW IT.