FFXIV Closed Alpha/Beta Discussion (Cancelled for this week)

[Katlan]

So these first mails they sent are for the Closed Alpha right? The invites for the Closed Beta have not been already sent? I'm crossing my fingers...

correct

[vrumpt]

correct

and as far as i understand, anybody who has access to the alpha automatically has access to any betas in the future months after the alpha closed.

Remember that the model for the beta structure SE said they would use is start small and get bigger over time.

[Aquilo86]

Uh oh. I didn't think about it til now but I mighta stupidly filtered it out to permadelete since I tend to get a lot of spam with buydrugsnow.com and shit in the text of the email. Hmmmm. Chances are I didn't get one anyway but now I wish there was a way to check lol.

I did the same thing, anyone know what the subject of the email was? I saw one that might have been it right as I was clicking the "delete" button and couldn't stop myself in time to see what it was. It was all very dramatic and happened in slow motion, was awesome.

[fosgate]

Perhaps this will clear up the confusion on what is really gained through an Alpha test. Just look. Its nothing all that special or anything to QQ over.




http://www.ffxivvault.com/ffxiv-beta-information.php

Recent Q&A



Q: What kind of time frame are you thinking of for the beta test?
A: We don't intend to set a specific time frame for the test, but if we begin too close to a finished product, we cannot apply the opinions and reactions of the users. Therefore, we want to let users try out the game in its unfinished state, and from there we will take in user feedback and gradually build together towards a final version. However, we have to avoid making it too much trial-and-error, or it would be more of a development process than a beta test, which could pose problems. For instance, the servers would need to be shut down for days at a time while the developers work on the game, and I think it would be difficult to run a smooth beta test. I can't really say anything definitive about the length of the beta test at this time.



Q: How much of the game will players be able to experience in the beta?
A: We started at about 10% of the final product with the playable Alpha version and are ultimately trying to perfect the underlying game system. The bulk of the game won't be made public until the retail version is out.



Q: What can you tell us about the transition from the Beta to the final version or about world transfers in general?
A: Once service starts, we want to make it so you can move along with the friends you make during the Beta to the same world. As for world transfers, that may be a possibility in the future, with some limitations probably.





Overview



A MMORPG beta test is generally conducted in multiple stages, the first being conducted primarily by "inside members" of the company, development team, etc. One could consider this the final stage of actual game development (not including content expansion). The tests to follow are generally done in waves, and select members are chosen sometimes from mailing lists, sometimes from direct applications, sometimes keys are given to different hubs for distribution (ie: FilePlanet) and sometimes to dedicated communities like the one you're at now. Also, make sure to pre-order the game as soon as the option becomes available.



These members are then given access to a special forum where they will be in close communication with the developers to work out any glitches found. During this stage they are usually put under an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) which means they are not allowed to provide information about the game to the public during the testing period. This stage usually occupies the bulk of the beta.



Once the major bugs and glitches have been ironed out, an open beta will likely be conducted with the goal of testing the server's capability to handle major traffic and find any little bugs that might have been overlooked. There's no guarenteed way to be selected for beta , though, oftentimes it's necessary to test a wide variety of PC configurations.

[Katlan]

and as far as i understand, anybody who has access to the alpha automatically has access to any betas in the future months after the alpha closed.

Remember that the model for the beta structure SE said they would use is start small and get bigger over time.

pretty sure the original question was asking if more invites were being sent out

[Kaslo]

So with the NDA how much will you testers be able to give us? Like does it say not to say your impressions? Or we just gonna say fuck it and post like mad here anyways?

[Cureslime]

So with the NDA how much will you testers be able to give us? Like does it say not to say your impressions? Or we just gonna say fuck it and post like mad here anyways?

Technically they can't say anything. Doesn't mean there won't be a shitton of information leaked tho.

[LinkNZ]

Guess I didn't get in. ;(

Been paying for FFXI every month since 2003, and SE couldn't find a spot for me.

[SamanosukeShiva]

/tissue

it's only a few more months wait, we've already waited for idk how long now

[niwaar]

Guess I didn't get in. ;(

Been paying for FFXI every month since 2003, and SE couldn't find a spot for me.

You are NOT alone. We can only hope that this is going to be a short Alpha test. I think I remember Blizzard's friends/family alpha only lasted a few weeks before the first wave of the CB started. So the hope is that with it starting the 11th, that we see the CB start early April and we get even more of us in.

[Leylana]

In. I managed to get my app in right as soon as they announced they were taking them. I also submitted one for someone else, who also got in. We're both NA.

[SephYuyX]

I find it odd/funny that most of the people I know that got in arent really 'hardcore' xi players. They either dont play very often, or quit years ago.

[Xali]

So, my question now is who's going to be a doll and rip the music from the alpha?

[Katlan]

I find it odd/funny that most of the people I know that got in arent really 'hardcore' xi players. They either dont play very often, or quit years ago.

they have had cancelled subs for that long and got into alpha?

[Xali]

they have had cancelled subs for that long and got into alpha?

It's possible that anyone who's linked their PoL ID to an SEID is considered a "loyal FFXI customer".
Unless, of course, they didn't link the accounts. Then I dunno.

[Katlan]

It's possible that anyone who's linked their PoL ID to an SEID is considered a "loyal FFXI customer".
Unless, of course, they didn't link the accounts. Then I dunno.

Yeah I had no idea about linking that stuff haha. Havent played XI for like 2years.. just linked it today when somebody said you should have done so from the start

[Ryuushin]

I think it's safe to assume it's random.. my friends that I talk to regularly haven't gotten accepted. Besides, this is only the first wave, there are still more chances.

[Shadowhusky]

So I tend to delete my junk mail without looking at it. Is there any way to tell if you got accepted into it? Aside from email obviously.

[Xali]

So I tend to delete my junk mail without looking at it. Is there any way to tell if you got accepted into it? Aside from email obviously.

Someone on some page way back posted that if you enter your SEID info come March 11th on the beta website, you can check just in case you deleted the email.

[Shadowhusky]

Someone on some page way back posted that if you enter your SEID info come March 11th on the beta website, you can check just in case you deleted the email.

Guess I gotta wait then. Thanks though.