FFXIV Random Speculation/Question thread V: No one told me beta would have problems in it

[Hyan]

I'm pretty sure in the recent interview with the beta phases question, they said that beta 1 and 2 would only differ in that beta 2 would be 24/7.

I think any additional updates will be in beta 3, which is due sometime in August? Could be 3 days, could be 3 weeks.

I'm pretty sure this -is- the "phase 3", while the 22h sessions were "phase 2". Although they seemed to skip that phase as far as the naming scheme goes.

[Gokulo]

I'm pretty sure this -is- the "phase 3", while the 22h sessions were "phase 2". Although they seemed to skip that phase as far as the naming scheme goes.

S-E always said phase 2 will be the one with 24/7 so I dunno why would you think otherwise.

[Chrystolis]

I'm pretty sure this -is- the "phase 3", while the 22h sessions were "phase 2". Although they seemed to skip that phase as far as the naming scheme goes.

I think they reverted to considering it Phase 1 again when the initial attempt at 24 hr uptime didn't go so well. IIRC, they called it Phase 2 when they sent out invites to non-alpha players and tried to go 24 hr. They found they had more server issues to deal with, and have been ramping up the testing periods since, so I'm guessing this is just them saying "OK!!! I think we're actually ready this time! Let's try this again!"

I'm guessing once they confirm 24hr testing stability to their liking, they'll go forward with phase 3 and send more invites, etc.

[Lucavi]

Not that I'm disagreeing with you, but all the discussion is based on the assumption that SE haven't already balanced all this out. I find it very hard to believe SE are planning to add a bunch of new character progression (like traits), fix bugs with classes and stats, and completely balance both classes and party vs solo play in a matter of weeks with a deadline looming.

I personally think its all done already, they are just pretending to be playing with a pair of sevens when they actually have a full house.

Lets face it, who here, who has been in since the early alpha, thinks the test is actually testing anything except the servers, and what happens to their code when 1,000 people all try to click the Bearded Rock Aetheryte at once?

EDIT: In five months of testing, not once has there been a feedback thread about balance or classes. People can quote their emails asking them to give feedback about balance til they are blue in the face, but on the test forums there is no section for it for a reason imo.

Or do people actually think they care that the retainer system we can see looks horribly limited, when they already announced its part of their payment plan?

Your post looks almost identical to this one I read on GameFAQs the other day. No, that's not an insult; the other one was well-written as well.

Its complicated. In my heart, I agree, and some of it stems from the realization that SE is a company that moves to the beat of their own drum, no matter what (which is also why I feel that they'll never achieve what they want in the MMORPG market), but my head says to listen to what they've posted to us when they ask us to comment about gameplay balance - as if a part of them wants to trust what we say and implement some of it.

Yes, there's no section devoted to it, but since a lot of it spills out into the battle system thread, and in the party system thread, I still feel that they're taking to heart some of what we're saying. Obviously, the things we say are a moot point if they, themselves already knew all of this going into the beta, but even -IF- they already have this fixed and balanced on their private servers, how they respond to us, and by extension, how much freedom they give us to express ourselves to them, goes and will continue to go a long way in how people rate their customer service, which, lets be honest, has not only lacked in the past, but is a keynote feature in how long people are going to play your game - well, the non-Endgame-obsessed, anyway.

They check forums outside of their own. We've seen that they check this forum. We also know that they're going to be somewhat more willing to take into account player reactions and ideas, even if it is only a small percent more willing, such as the back end of FFXI.

In closing: I agree with you. I'm not so naive to think that SE really expected this beta build to hold up at retail. I think we all know that. I think, however, that we still should act as if it -isn't- already balanced, because by doing that, we can continue to create decent alternatives that even SE may not have thought about. God knows they're only human, even if they are stubborn.

[Hyan]

S-E always said phase 2 will be the one with 24/7 so I dunno why would you think otherwise.

At E3 (or was it japan expo?) they were talking about "phase 3" where the servers would be up 24/7. Lemme find it.

OK this is google translate from the looks of it but I think it's accurate enough:

Tanaka: Alpha test was very useful, it helped us to test the stability of the servers and we thus could adapt them meanwhile. But in fact, we will have several phases of beta test. In the first phase, we will have a version which will integrate the returns on behalf of our alpha-testers who will be, we hope for it, available this week. The beginning, it will resemble the phases of alpha test, in the direction where each session of test will last four hours.
But if the things are held well, beta 2 will follow very quickly, which will make it possible to the players to 24 hours a day reach the play. Then, it, as of the beginning of August, we hope for will open phase 3 of beta test which will remain operational to the exit of the play.

Looks like I was wrong, phase 3 is still yet to come!

[Kuya]

What's the difference between phase 2 and phase 3?

[Hyan]

I'd assume more or less frequent version updates (not just for bugs).

Hopefully it starts within a week.

[Lucavi]

Phase 3 isn't the open beta, is it?

I really don't think the game is ready for an open beta until they make those planned adjustments. No point in opening the game up to an influx of new players that will just report the same stuff we've been reporting since beta started.

[Chrystolis]

What's the difference between phase 2 and phase 3?

Probably less focus on server stability, as well as more players.

[Kuya]

So:

Phase 2: 24hr

Phrase 3: ???

[Kurokikaze]

More focus on patching things and getting ready for release, is my guess. Then very late into the phase make it Open Beta until a week before release.

Doesnt this whole sequence sound a little backwards? Wouldn't you want all the balancing issues and general UI stuff sorted out before you add more people to see your work (aka stress test)? Well for Phase 1-2 I mean. Makes sense for 3.

[Lucavi]

Seems that way, Kuya.

[Kurokikaze]

ohicwatudidthar

Phase 4: PROFIT

[Hyan]

Hopefully they won't invite more people aside from the Germans that already seem to have gotten some invites.

Just get the game readyyyyy

[Nartosar]

Phase 2: 24h
Phase 3: 36h

[Lunarhawk]

In a french (german?) interview awhile back they said beta would be 3 phases not counting open. Phase 2 might be them shifting to focus on adding stuff in and patching bugs while phase 3 after that might be balancing classes and skills. No one but the people who work at square know.

[Hyan]

No one but the people who work at square know.

Actually, surprising amount of people on the test site seem to know exactly what will happen. I can only wish for the knowledge they have.

[sruon]

Hopefully they won't invite more people aside from the Germans that already seem to have gotten some invites.

Just get the game readyyyyy

Still waiting on my beta test key from japan expo, SE said me a mail "Please wait" like a week ago and nothing since then. ;-;

Not like it matters, it's for Cair =/

[Gulkeeva]

Well as someone mentioned on damage, I was wondering why my pug punches were like 60-70 for awhile then dropped to 30-40 ranges... guess I better workup BS a bit and repair my weapon every.. 5min ;/

killing stuff in 1/2 the time really helps.. with guildeve's that are hard and exping on dangerous stuff ;/

[Destinye]

Well as someone mentioned on damage, I was wondering why my pug punches were like 60-70 for awhile then dropped to 30-40 ranges... guess I better workup BS a bit and repair my weapon every.. 5min ;/

killing stuff in 1/2 the time really helps.. with guildeve's that are hard and exping on dangerous stuff ;/

Yeah..I didn't have to repair that quickly but it is good to have Blacksmith leveled as well as miner.