FFXIV Random Speculation/Question thread III: Where's my beta invite?

[Zeno]

So alpha ends this week. The one thing i'm worried about is whether or not SE will continue to change things in the game to modify player demands. As it stands now there is a lot of criticism from reviews of the E3 demonstration that combat is slow and lackluster like FFXI is.

If this new beta version works then great, but if there are still problems will SE make further refinements like they did from alpha to beta? I'm thinking they won't and we'll just have to live with what they give us, but that worries me a lot.

OMFG, Combat is slow? Are you Serious?! Perform 3-4 Hits withing seconds until ur stamina is depleted is SLOW? 3-4+ hits within seconds? Meanwhile using TP abilities WHILE your stamina guage is being replenished is SLOW? Cmon, where ever you got that info is full of crap. Its a VAST improvement than what alpha users were bitchin' about past few weeks...

I WANT FFXIV E3 REVIEW LINKS. RAWR!

[Jinko]

I can't see SE changing the battle system yet again, but I do hope they continue to listen to testers feedback.

IGN and G4 have no idea at the end of the day, I doubt they even plan to play the final product anyway, so their opinion is moot.

[Oreth]

Especially now with the 30 slots i really hope they allow multiple action bars to be shown and locked on screen.

I know they more than likely dont want it like WoW UI but in reality it will be a real pain remember what is where. I find myself clicking the buttons more than using 0-9 at the moment, especially now each action is a specific move / ability not just relating to one job. With macros i thought it was much easier. Maybe i just learned where and what they are.

This is a quick photoshop job of what id like to see. 3 bars up like this and a simple one to the right for food / medicine / tools etc

http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/3031/ff14ui.jpg

[Jinko]

Um no thanks, keep the UI clean and tidy please as someone suggested eariler, Shift + 1-10 and maybe Alt + 1-10 would do the trick. (PS3 users could use the shoulder buttons) wouldn't be much different than using the macro bars in FF11.

I'm curious to know if anything has been done about WASD + mouse controls for the beta, can't really tell from the video and I am guessing no.

[Hyan]

They seem to be working on making it possible to have multiple chat boxes on the screen. From there it shouldn't be too difficult to do the same for the hotbar.

Macros, too, dunno how they'd apply here tho.

[Zeno]

Um no thanks, keep the UI clean and tidy please as someone suggested eariler, Shift + 1-10 and maybe Alt + 1-10 would do the trick. (PS3 users could use the shoulder buttons) wouldn't be much different than using the macro bars in FF11.

I'm curious to know if anything has been done about WASD + mouse controls for the beta, can't really tell from the video and I am guessing no.

This

I want a clean, simple, UI. Don't give me clutter or I will shoot someone in the face

[Oreth]

Um no thanks, keep the UI clean and tidy please as someone suggested eariler, Shift + 1-10 and maybe Alt + 1-10 would do the trick. (PS3 users could use the shoulder buttons) wouldn't be much different than using the macro bars in FF11.

I'm curious to know if anything has been done about WASD + mouse controls for the beta, can't really tell from the video and I am guessing no.

The idea is to let people choose though like in WOW. Still plenty of room there for everything else. I cant imagine it being that hard to do and it gives huge variety to what people want. More action bars or ctrl/alt 0-9

I honestly couldnt stand myself using ctrl & alt for the different abilities. Its not like FFXI where i only have a select few to choose from at early levels (exception of mages / bards etc) that im learning what everything is. Instead by the time im lvl 10+ iv already got 20 odd abilities. This is going by the alpha btw

[Hyan]

You are the other part of the plague that's killing these forums.

As oreth demonstrated, it is so easy to counter your point with something like that it doesn't help jack shit. Same with the RAGE COMBAT NOT SLOW WHO SAID THAT, better not to say anything at all than turn on the fanboy mode.

[Oreth]

This

I want a clean, simple, UI. Don't give me clutter or I will shoot someone in the face

Again my post below yours. A simple options screen where you can choose what you want on your UI. ? You dont want it and i do. Simple solution

[Rustyhagun]

First, I apologize if this has already been mentioned (I did not see it while constantly viewing these threads)

I just noticed something from the previous thread. In this picture posted by Meonline



If you look at the Peregrine, the name of it is colored yellow. I wonder if they are going to use the same system WoW and other games employ with having different colors denote the quality of each weapon/Armor.

I'm thinking its just because he has that weapon equip so its labeled green. In 11 when you went though your item list you saw your equipped items in that color as well.(I think it was green in 11, its been awhile.)

[Zeno]

Well, making that "Sidebar" would be OK if it were optional. I wouldn't use it.

But, I figure, when you taken something beneficial (food, medicine, anything affecting ur status), it will be shown up top, kinda like FFXI. It will then start to fade/flicker when that buff is about to expire. Wouldn't the sidebar be kinda useless in that case?

[Rustyhagun]

another Q&A:

Dengeki E3 2010 Interview

Translation by Savalithos. Source: http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/271/271381/

*Dengeki’s interview with Mr. Tanaka tells us a fair amount of things we already know, but toward the end it tosses some fresh information out there. For the sake of brevity, I’ve excluded anything rehashed.

-I imagine there were many requests regarding the user interface. Have there been any changes made?
Tanaka: Aside from a revamped main menu, we’ve added a chat filter and changed the log system. We are also testing out being able to have multiple chat windows open.

-Are there other means of communication aside from chatting?
Tanaka: We have plans to include a macro palette, which you could use to combine skills and messages to make communication a little easier. Beyond that, we are working on a system where party members can tell which enemy their leader is attacking.

-Would that be something like highlighting the monster’s name or putting a number above its head, etc.; something that stands out?
Tanaka: You’ll have to wait and see! We are currently testing various methods of communication to prevent party members from splitting up during battle.

-Are there any battle system elements that will be upgraded from beta onward?
Tanaka: Some of it has been included in alpha, but there is the Battle Regimen skill chain system. We are preparing a bagful of situations where well-coordinated party play using this along with the aforementioned communication tool will be integral to success.

-So will group vs. group battles be more frequent than not?
Tanaka: Many monsters act on their own right now, but there were plans for group situations such as one male beast among a harem of females, for example. The majority of guildleve fights, in particular, will probably have monsters in parties together.

-Crafting, Bazaars, and Community Systems
Are there any new systems planned for beta?
Tanaka: Weapons and items will lose durability. You will not lose a weapon because of it, but its battle potential will drop to the point where it will probably be useless. Since repairs will be necessary, we have increased the number of gathering and crafting classes. The next big planned addition would be retainers, hirable NPCs. For example, in FFXI you could not run your bazaar if you logged out. In FFXIV if you hand your items over to your retainer and set them up in the marketplace, you will be able to sell your goods even if you log off. Other than that, we have plans for linkshells but are unsure of when they will be ready for implementation.

-The Start of Beta
Will beta bring with it more areas to explore?
Tanaka: If we add even more, we are not sure how large the size of the beta download will become. We will test it, but it might be difficult.

-So the main hub will still be Limsa Lominsa?
Tanaka: We might have to test other areas as necessary, but currently we plan to conduct beta only around there.

-How large will the finished product be?
Tanaka: We have yet to confirm anything and are still adjusting things.

-What will the recommended specifications for the finished Windows version be?
Tanaka: First we will announce specs for beta. Right now graphics boards, as opposed to CPUs, are causing bottlenecking, so we would like to optimize that more.

-Then beta will start…?
Tanaka: We would like to start it in July at the latest. We will make separate announcements regarding the PS3 version.

-You had said that cross-regional servers would be implemented mid-beta. When, exactly?
Tanaka: Alpha servers are technically already cross-regional but are segregated only by time. If everything is stable, we would like to have them running nearly around the clock from the start of beta.

-Are there plans to increase the number of testers in beta on a large-scale?
Tanaka: There are already ten alpha servers, and testers number in the tens of thousands. For beta, first we would like to move all those players over. If all is well after that, we plan to add more testers. The improvements that make beta what it is would not have been possible without the voices of our alpha testers. Therefore, I would like everyone to experience beta and provide feedback in hopes that the game will improve even more. Of course we will continue to make adjustments after the official release, so do not hesitate to tell us what you think.

[Destinye]

Um no thanks, keep the UI clean and tidy please as someone suggested eariler, Shift + 1-10 and maybe Alt + 1-10 would do the trick. (PS3 users could use the shoulder buttons) wouldn't be much different than using the macro bars in FF11.

I'm curious to know if anything has been done about WASD + mouse controls for the beta, can't really tell from the video and I am guessing no.

Probably still optimized for gamepad/keyboard controls which is still fine. FFXI did indeed have a very clean UI compared to most MMOs where you only have like a 2x2 box to see the actual gameplay.

[Zeno]

I wonder whats the MAX items we can put inside this "Retainer". It sounds like the Auction house in terms of just leaving your items up for sale in the marketplace.

Unless its a completely different system than that of the auction house in FFXI. Perhaps a seperate marketplace for bazaar type transactions using retainer npcs? Kinda like the "Rolanberry Fields Mall"

[Hyan]

Ya sounds like AH, makes me wonder if we'll have traditional AH at all or will all the transactions happen through this "Marketplace".

[Kurokikaze]

Beta by July the latest? Fuck yes.

Also I think thats just the bazaar system.. No way that'll replace a well implemented AH. Least I hope not. ;x

[HolyDragoon]

If all transactions happened through the marketplace, There would definitely be farmers who run their own shops themed towards certain types of items. Like running your own personal armour shop or potion shop.

[Hyan]

Well, I don't see why they couldn't make it as good as a well implemented AH with some twists. We'll know within a month though!

Although I think bazaars and retainers are different thing altogether.

[Kurokikaze]

Unless they're leaving something out or my reading comprehension has gone to shit - the only difference between FFXI Bazaars and FFXIV Retainers is that you don't need to create a mule for Retainers. The concepts the same though; bazaaring your items while offline. I could be wrong.

Semi off-topic: Anyone know how to place water effects on videos so I can block out my name and the chat logs? I have some funny videos I wanna post on youtube. XD

[Hyan]

It's just that it doesn't really sound that different to AH's either. You handle your stuff to the NPC at the marketplace, and then you can log off while your things sell.