Today was the Letter from the Producer Live event from Square Enix for its Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn MMORPG, and the developer spilled details on its upcoming schedule for open beta, head start, and what we can expect to see added for the live game when it officially launches on August 27, 2013. For those that weren’t able to catch the event, we’ve put together a detailed report on everything that you need to know.
Beta Phase 4, also known as open beta, will begin on August 17 at 2:00 AM PDT, but those who participated in the closed beta will get a one day head start with access granted on August 16. Open beta will end on August 19, at which point servers will be shut down until the head start for pre-orders begin on August 24. There will be no downtime between the early access and launch.
As for what open beta entails, Square Enix will have the level for each class, sub-class, and crafting profession capped at 20, but the Arcanist class and fishing profession will be opened up. In addition, players can finally test out PvP in the Coliseum. The company also confirmed that the healer role will now be called Scholar. Those worried about data being wiped between open beta and head start, Square Enix has stayed firm on its stance that all data will carry over barring any game-breaking exploits or bugs.
Those looking to subscribe to Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be able to do so through Crysta, credit card, or 30- and 60-day game cards. World transfer services will be available, but will cost a fee to be announced two to three weeks after launch. Square Enix will also be launching a free app for its MMORPG called Libra Eorzea that will allow players to access and view character stats, abilities, quests, and crafting materials. It will be released one week after launch for Apple iOS devices and three to four weeks after launch for Android devices.
The event also went in depth as to what players will not be allowed to do in the game, at least at launch. There will be no item transfers between the same account and the same server available, and no /tell between players can be done during raids. We’re not entirely sure that will stick in the long term, but it’s an interesting stance that the Japanese developer is taking.
Other confirmed features coming in the near future include the barber shop, where players can change their character’s hair style, hair color, face tattoo, face paint, face paint color, and beard. Seasonal events will be a part of the game, with seasonal-themed gear obtainable, and Square Enix has a 24-man raid confirmed called Crystal Tower coming in the future. The development team also announced that the Primals’ finishing moves will be changing from beta to launch.
The duty finder will be expanded over time, and those that queue up for random dungeons will get better rewards in Patch 2.1, available sometime after launch. The team also revealed that jobs will get different mounts, revealing the unicorn mount for the White Mage job, that will be usable by all jobs once you obtain it.
As for the housing system, Square Enix revealed some mob-themed furniture and confirmed that player housing will be available in any city. Other little tidbits from the event include the confirmation of a marriage system in the game, job quests will be soloable, status points can be rerolled, and add-on support will be coming six months after launch.
You can hit the source link below to see an album of screenshots captured by Reddit user ej_257. There is also a direct download link to the client.
Source: imgur, Download Client
