Alpha/Beta Announcement thread. Next Alpha: ???

[Zeno]

Spoiler: show

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...eadMonster.jpg

[ringthree]

so they are testing gameplay, and they are continually fine tuning the servers to increase stability. And this also isn't restricted to SE, every online game that has ever existed has had lag and online stability issues when it went into beta. and we're in alpha, NOT beta.

I don't understand how people can completely believe and completely distrust the same people on the same issue at the same exact time.

FACTS:

1) We are testing gameplay.

2) SE's main goal for the Alpha is not testing gameplay.

Look, it's pretty simple. SE needs to test server stability, load and lag by having people on the servers. They need to know if the communication between the client and the server is working and they need to make sure the databases can access the information they need for the game to function.

They could have simply invited everyone in the alpha to just run around in an empty field with mobs and nodes to click, but that would be boring. So they give us a faction of the game so that we don't get bored while they are testing functionality. If they get some good input from the players on glitches and make improvements that is awesome, but it's obviously not their goal.

The update notes tell the story. Have their been improvements to guild leaves? Has leveling changed? Have their been any in-game changes at all? No, all of the changes have been to improve the server situation and how the game operates.

[ringthree]

See, that's how the situation is here. S-E choice is an unusual one to let people perform alpha tests - usually developers do that themselves to prepare the game to be handed out to public during beta tests - clearly the Alpha version of XIV isn't really ready for that. I'm just thinking S-E is doing weird things, and I don't know for what purposes - marketing or wth?

And I'm not arguing about what their Alpha tests are - I'm just saying what it really mean to alpha test a game, and no it's not stress testing the servers because majority of alpha tests are internal.

Actually, I think this shows a lot of foresight on SE's part. The number one first day problem with almost all MMO's is server instability, and even after that good server stability effects lag time, load time which effects everything about a game. Starting with a big Alpha means you can start looking at those issues earlier and plan for them.

A majority of Alpha tests are currently internal, and that may be something that you see disappear as MMO's mature. MMO's have not in the past, but should be designed from the ground up with the idea that the server environment is the number one most important issue. If this is a step in that direction then I applaud SE.

[vrumpt]

The update notes tell the story. Have their been improvements to guild leaves? Has leveling changed? Have their been any in-game changes at all? No, all of the changes have been to improve the server situation and how the game operates.

UMMMM WTFFFFFFF /FACEPALM

they never said they would update any of that stuff at this point in testing anyway. Beta 2 is when they said they would begin implementation of the feedback they collected during alpha and beta 1 (or alpha 2 depending how you look at it).

just because they are updating the game with things to improve stability doesn't mean they aren't testing the things they said they are testing for every alpha phase thus far.

multitasking is allowed people, not like they aren't allowed to test server stability AND core gameplay mechanics at the same time.

[dejet]

ringthree I side with you, but nothing you say will matter. its been said about 5000+ times. I said it, you said it, and about 50 others said it.

[[Cookies]]

Generally alpha tests are internal (aka Cataclysm F&F alpha which has no stability issues). As far as I know, a MMO has never had a public alpha before, so really, you can't say "this is alpha, what do you expect" as you have no prior experience.

SE has never said the alpha is for stability, they said they wanted to include the public in the alpha to help make early changes to the game.

The open beta is /usually/ when stability issues occur as you have a lot more people logging in. Early alpha stability issues should be fixed very quickly. We still don't have the full amount of testers logging in at the same time.

Now, let's stop shitting up the thread, if you want to flame me or discuss things further, feel free to PM me.

[dejet]

Generally alpha tests are internal (aka Cataclysm F&F alpha which has no stability issues). As far as I know, a MMO has never had a public alpha before, so really, you can't say "this is alpha, what do you expect" as you have no prior experience.

SE has never said the alpha is for stability, they said they wanted to include the public in the alpha to help make early changes to the game.

The open beta is /usually/ when stability issues occur as you have a lot more people logging in. Early alpha stability issues should be fixed very quickly. We still don't have the full amount of testers logging in at the same time.

Now, let's stop shitting up the thread, if you want to flame me or discuss things further, feel free to PM me.

You would be right, very few *open* alphas like we are seeing with 14, I said this on one of the other threads. Point still is their main focus weather it was planed this way or not is the servers.

[Croy]

Generally alpha tests are internal (aka Cataclysm F&F alpha which has no stability issues). As far as I know, a MMO has never had a public alpha before, so really, you can't say "this is alpha, what do you expect" as you have no prior experience.

SE has never said the alpha is for stability, they said they wanted to include the public in the alpha to help make early changes to the game.

The open beta is /usually/ when stability issues occur as you have a lot more people logging in. Early alpha stability issues should be fixed very quickly. We still don't have the full amount of testers logging in at the same time.

Now, let's stop shitting up the thread, if you want to flame me or discuss things further, feel free to PM me.

SE just recently said in an interview that the alpha was going to end when server stability had been worked out. They want the stability to happen as fast as they can so they can introduce more people for the actual content testing process for closed beta 1. They do want people to give feedback for concepts, but that is not their number 1 objective for the alpha, they explicitly stated as such (Concept is merely the second priority). If you can't get on, fine, just keep telling it to them on the main forums or something. But don't state things that are counter to what they have actually said. Open beta stress testing is for final client code for release usually and its supposed to be a test on more than just a single server, but on an entire server farm. Alpha has always been (even in friend and family stage) about testing 'concepts' and getting the client able to be tested by a wider variety of people (getting it to crash less, getting rid of client breaking bugs etc). Once the thing is stable, that is 'usually' when a beta takes place (at least from my experience). This is different because SE decided not to do this process in house like most companies do.

[Chakra]

P.S. I like how all (or at least most) of the people flaming me aren't in the alpha.

I'm not trying to NDA you. I'm just trying to help you stop sticking your god damn foot in your mouth by saying, Hey, if you don't like people flaming your emotional response to testing, STOP! Technically you have no business doing it in the first place. Just tryin to help mang.

Plus, I don't know what being in the alpha has to do with anyway, really. If you're trying to paint people as jealous. Eat your words. It's just pisses people off who have been through testing before. Testing fucking sucks. It ruins the gaming experience when you get to the point where are suppose to enjoy it. Most importantly, it's god awfully boring! So, every sad clown response you give of course infuriates people. It's unnecessary and down right ignorant to think your experience is going to be pleasant.

[Biggie]

Here is a clip from one of the latest interviews...

Where do we go from here?
F: You plan on increasing the number and scale of the tests as testing goes on, correct?
HT: For now, the first step is to conduct three tests a week without problems.
NK: To let users play without problems, the first goal is stability for now.
HT: We think that maybe the time of tests should be changed at some point, since there are some people who can’t play at that time.

[Spira]

they must have beefed up the lobby server or something.

encountered absolutely no login queues in 6th session.

[Hyan]

they must have beefed up the lobby server or something.

encountered absolutely no login queues in 6th session.

How was the latency in-game?

From the sounds of it we might be getting very close to Alpha 2 indeed.

[Spira]

still not that great.
chain d/c-ed 4 times in limsa lominsa while buying gear..

but then went back to eastern la noscea and wandered in western abit..
western is lag free, since no one goes there.
eastern is beginning to experience a little bit of lag, altho its still very much tolerable..
I'm guessing more people are moving into the area since their levels are higher.
totally avoided lower tho.. so no clue there.

[Zenshio]

Sixth Alpha Test Extended

Square Enix would like to express its gratitude to all testers who volunteered to take part in the FINAL FANTASY XIV Alpha Test.

The dates and times of the sixth test will be as follows. (All times are PST.)

Sixth Alpha Test Schedule

Dates and Times:
Thursday, May 13, 2010 – 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. *1
Thursday, May 13, 2010 – 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. *2
Thursday, May 13, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. *3

*1 Only users with Japan-based Square Enix accounts will be able to log in.
*2 Only users with Europe-based Square Enix accounts will be able to log in.
*3 Only users with North America-based Square Enix accounts will be able to log in.

* Three test periods per day have been set in accordance with times of anticipated peak activity in each region.

Test Content:
- Quest System
- Guildleve System
- Battle System
- Basic Controls
- User Interface

* The contents of the sixth alpha test will be the same as the fifth alpha test.

The State of the Alpha Test

As always, we would like to thank you for taking part in the FINAL FANTASY XIV Alpha Test.

Over the course of making adjustments to the game, we have encountered several unforeseen issues, and we would like to apologize for the delays these have caused, as well as the length of time we have allowed to pass between posts. Despite our efforts over the weekend to improve load balancing and server stability, players have not been able to test the game to its full extent.

During the test period conducted a few days ago, it was discovered that the game server was crashing under certain conditions, and I am glad to say that we have made some headway with this problem. However, a bottleneck of sorts is arising as improvements in server stability are impeding our ability to recreate and address previously reported bugs. We ask for your patience while we continue to examine the issue.

There has been a good deal of feedback from testers expressing concern over the slow pace of combat. I would like to assure you that this is due largely to the current server load balancing issues. Unfortunately, such difficulties have so far prevented players from playing the game at the level of quality we envisioned.

We would like nothing more than to have testers continue playing the game, and must therefore ask for your understanding as we further investigate this problem and examine several possible solutions. (Also, one may be able to notice an improvement in latency by engaging in combat only in the open areas or dungeons located far from Camp Bearded Rock.)

In addition, we are also planning to reassess and introduce changes to the user interface, battle system, and in-game motion. These will most likely be implemented in the Beta Test scheduled in the coming months. We are extremely grateful for the enormous amount of helpful posts we have received despite the relatively short testing times. Rest assured that we will be attempting to incorporate as much of this feedback as possible into any changes we make to the game. In the meantime, I hope that all of you will continue in your roles as testers for the alpha test phase, and I look forward to receiving more of your invaluable feedback.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Director
Nobuaki Komoto

[Loaar]

Just a heads up, those times are not GMT, they are PST.

It seems the NA admins have updated the EU site again and forgot to adjust for the timezones.

[Zeno]

That is a nice letter from the directer. =} Its good to hear things are progressing and one can look forward to the many changes they plan on implementing.

My only gripe is

"These will most likely be implemented in the Beta Test scheduled in the coming months."

>_> Months???

edit: lol @ cookies. =P

[Zenshio]

Just a heads up, those times are not GMT, they are PST.

It seems the NA admins have updated the EU site again and forgot to adjust for the timezones.

Yep, my bad. I didn't even read them.

[Jinko]

Ok so cookies how was your experience last night ?

Seeing as you seem to be experiencing some of the worst problems I am interested to know if they have got any better ?

I duno why they can't just put:-

Dates and Times:
Thursday, May 13, 2010 – 7.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. *1 JST
Thursday, May 13, 2010 – 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. *2 GMT
Thursday, May 13, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. *3 PST

*1 Only users with Japan-based Square Enix accounts will be able to log in.
*2 Only users with Europe-based Square Enix accounts will be able to log in.
*3 Only users with North America-based Square Enix accounts will be able to log in.

[BlackheartX]

That is a nice letter from the directer. =} Its good to hear things are progressing and one can look forward to the many changes they plan on implementing.

My only gripe is

"These will most likely be implemented in the Beta Test scheduled in the coming months."

>_> Months???

edit: lol @ cookies. =P

I'm calling July for the next phase.

[Kurokikaze]

Well at least we're making progress.