Regarding the Release of the Lodestone (Beta Version)

[Deuce]

http://img.finalfantasyxiv.com/t/4a1...1569b92288.png

We are happy to announce the date and time for the release of the new Lodestone, which was delayed from its original release schedule.

[Date & Time]
Jun. 18, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. (PDT) / Jun. 19, 2013 at 3:00 (GMT)

* Please note that the character’s image that will be displayed in the character profile section may not be completed by this release date. If this is the case, the character’s silhouette will be displayed instead. The actual image of the character will be added at a later time.

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this delay and thank you for your patience.

http://na.beta.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/

======

Yoshi P. and the team over at Square Enix continue to exceed expectations for this game. At this point I think it should already be unanimous that no one ever imagined FFXIV would make it so far. Yet over the past week we've seen so much to convince us that this was the FFXIV we'd always wanted.

From the fan service, to the improved aesthetics and world, an altered storyline, and an industry standard Community Wed API, A Realm Reborn is going to sell plenty of copies and subscriptions this year. Every aspect of this game may be influenced by standard ideas, but they're built upon an upgraded engine, which provides a polish few MMOs have approached this generation. If the momentum keeps going then I'm pretty sure I'll be subbed for 5+ years.

[Kelenae]

And when it comes out it'll have a 6 months on ESO/Wildstar so they are sitting in nice spot

[Sephiroth]

It looks good so far. I'd like to see them add some kind of item API for community sites so that you don't have to hack the dats to get at such stuff. WoW seems to have one.

[Wulfgang]

It's pretty slick

[Evane]

At this point I think it should already be unanimous that no one ever imagined FFXIV would make it so far.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly...hhq6o1_500.gif

[Seiji Okita]

Deuce you hit the nail on the head my friend. When Tanaka dropped 1.0 like it was hot i don't think a single person expected this to be the end result. Say what you want about SE, but the son of a bitch knows story structure...(sorry south park reference lol)

In all seriousness though, SE has proven their commitment to their fans with the work they put into XIV, unlike every other failed MMO that just switched payment models and phased out of existence... and Yoshida-san you fabulous muthafucker what i wouldn't to share a beer with you and spend a couple hours conversing, you sir, you are the man.

Oh and i really like the new lodestone! This weekend needs to hurry up damnit >.<

[Kurokikaze]

I like it! Very slick looking web page.

[Erlayn]

This weekend needs to hurry up damnit >.<

Couldn't agree with you more! I am thoroughly enjoying ARR more than v1.0.

[Spider-Dan]

At this point I think it should already be unanimous that no one ever imagined FFXIV would make it so far.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly...hhq6o1_500.gif

This. Let's not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet.

The game is still in beta, we haven't gotten a single glimpse at endgame (or even duty finder), and the lines for content are potentially a giant glass window for the media to throw a "This is 2.0?" brick through (as some are already).

Save the kudos until at least the retail launch goes successfully.

[bluefan]

Sales it'll be successful. Server stability...beta seems fine so far.

[Sephiroth]

I'm confident end game will be good. Even the little Yoshi made for 1.0 was good and they were severely limited in what they could do.

[Gulkeeva]

This. Let's not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet.

The game is still in beta, we haven't gotten a single glimpse at endgame (or even duty finder), and the lines for content are potentially a giant glass window for the media to throw a "This is 2.0?" brick through (as some are already).

Save the kudos until at least the retail launch goes successfully.

True, although at the start, all seems good, the part that many probably don't know about as of yet, is how hard the game will be (or much to do) beyond a 3rd character (or a 2nd in the same city). Where you no longer have quests in the same area to do, or storyline... or anything outside of leve quests and instances.... and grinding mobs (for a very long time).

I'm sure they know of the problem and will address it in some way (like allowing you to do all the quests over again excluding storyline) on a new class/job). That and endgame will be important + other things to do, especially for those that have all lv 50's

[Gokulo]

I'm sure they know of the problem and will address it in some way (like allowing you to do all the quests over again excluding storyline) on a new class/job).

This needs a lot of repeating lately because most people seems to have missed it :D They mentioned not long ago that daily and repeatable quests will be added to the game.

[Gulkeeva]

This needs a lot of repeating lately because most people seems to have missed it :D They mentioned not long ago that daily and repeatable quests will be added to the game.

ah, I only saw mention of daily quests. if "all" quests you did on 1 class, is repeatable on another, then all is good O_o

it won't be insanely painful to lvl more then 3 classes/jobs)

[Gokulo]

I don't think it mentioned all quests. Just some special repeatables (which I guess is not much different from dailies).

[Zerocool]

You'll also have FATES, Hunting Logs, and Class Quests.

[miokomioko]

FATEs, Hunting/Gathering/Crafting Logs, Class Quests, Job Quests, Instances, Guildleves, Guildhests, etc. + repeatable/dailies.

I don't think it's time to worry yet about running out of exp sources.

I still wish they implemented exp rewards for map exploration (perhaps they can still tie exp rewards to achievements).

[Seiji Okita]

This makes me wonder what kind of spiritbond parties people are going to be forming come launch.

Will people grind like 1.0?

[Lucavi]

People will grind if there's an incentive to do so.

There's absolutely no gear incentive to do so, so there'll have to be another incentive somewhere else. Crafting drops, pure XP or something of that nature.

[Spider-Dan]

True, although at the start, all seems good, the part that many probably don't know about as of yet, is how hard the game will be (or much to do) beyond a 3rd character (or a 2nd in the same city). Where you no longer have quests in the same area to do, or storyline... or anything outside of leve quests and instances.... and grinding mobs (for a very long time).

From the standpoint of what this game needs to accomplish, "it's hard to level up my 3rd class" falls under First World Problems. If you remember the 1.0 fatigue fiasco, no one cared that you could just switch to another class and level that without penalty; the only story was "you lose xp for leveling."

The game has a lot of negative inertia to undo from 1.0, and most of that work is going to be done via gaming media. I'm not saying that concern is unimportant, but if it's not something that will make it into a media review, it should probably be backburnered.