[Eorzea]

With Final Fantasy XIV's beta process now upon us, it's important everyone is well-informed of what to expect, how things will work and what steps Square Enix will take to ensure everything functions smoothly.

UPDATE
July 28, 2010:

BETA SERVERS NOW ONLINE 24/7!

From @FF_XIV_EN:

Quote

Phase 2 of beta testing commences 19:00 (PDT) Wednesday, July 28, and servers will be online 24/7! https://dev-na.ffxiv.com/

---

The following questions are from Square Enix's Official FAQ for Final Fantasy XIV (though they are a bit difficult to find/navigate). They have been compiled below for your convenience:




What is a Beta Test?
A Beta Test is the process where players play the game as Beta Testers during the "FINAL FANTASY XIV" development process to check and fix issues.


What do I need to do to participate in the Beta Test?
You can enter the Beta Test drawing, and if chosen, then you will be able to participate in the test.

We will send notification to the winners via e-mail.

Please check the tester requirements and read the additional notes before submitting an application.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Beta Test Application Site(s)
NA: http://entry.ffxiv.com/na/index.html
GB: http://entry.ffxiv.com/eu/index.html
FR: http://entry.ffxiv.c...u/fr/index.html
DE: http://entry.ffxiv.c...u/de/index.html


What are the requirements for the Beta Test?
Beta Tester requirements are listed below.

• Must be 18 years or older
  
• Possess a Square Enix Account
  
• Have access to an internet connection
  
• Be able to download large amounts of data
  
• Be able to actively participate and report bugs

How are the participants of the Beta Test selected?
We will select participants based on the information that is provided during the application process. We cannot specify what criteria we will look for in the application.


If I am not selected for the inital Beta Test, can I apply again?
If you are not selected during the drawing, your application will be automatically entered into the next drawing, so you do not have to re-apply.

Also only one application can be submitted per applicant. If multiple applications are submited by the same person, all applications are discarded.


Can you tell me the result of Beta Test selection process?
We cannot disclose the method of selecting participants.

The result of each drawing is only announced to the selected participants of each drawing. We then send a notification e-mail to the e-mail address registered on their Square Enix Account. When applying, please make sure to have a valid e-mail address registered on the Square Enix Account.

We will not send out notifications to applicants who are not selected. Thank you for your understanding.

Even if you are not selected during the drawing, your application will be entered into the next drawing. Therefore you do not need to re-submit the application.


What do I have to be aware of when I participate in the Beta Test?
The following items require attention when participating in the Beta Test.

Please be aware of all of the details when applying for the Beta Test.

• Software used for the Beta Test is under development, and may differ from the final product.
  
• Due to maintenance, servers may not be available at all times.
  
• Maintenance may take place without prior notice.
  
• The Beta Test may end without prior notice.
  
• Game features may be changed without prior notice.
  
• Data, such as character information and player data, may be reset without prior notification during or after the testing phase.
  
• Data loss cannot be restored during the testing phase even if it's due to bugs.
  
• Currently, we are not planning to transfer test data, such as character data, to the final release version.

Can I transfer the right to participate in the Beta Test to other people?
Transferring participation rights to the Beta Test is forbidden by the FINAL FANTASY XIV Tester Agreement.


Is there any special consideration for "FINAL FANTASY XI" players when it comes to selecting applicants for the Beta Test?
We cannot disclose how participants are selected.


What happens to the personal information that was collected in the Beta Test application?
Collected personal information will be handled securely based on the Square Enix Account User Agreement and Square Enix Privacy Policy.


Is there an open Beta Test?
The schedule has not been finalized, but we are planning to have an open Beta Test.


I would like to check whether or not my Beta Test application was submitted.
If you receive a message stating that you have already submitted an application when you try to submit the application again, then the application has been submitted.


Is the Beta Test software obtained via download only?
The distribution method of the client has not been decided.


Why are persons under 18 years of age not permitted to participate in the Beta Test?
Currently, we have not submitted "FINAL FANTASY XIV" for review by the ESRB, and as such the rating is not yet determined. Therefore we made the test available to players who are 18 years old or older.


I accidentally created a Square Enix Account stating that I was under the age of 18. However, I am not under the age of 18. What should I do?
Please click the "Additional Assistance" button below [here] and contact the Square Enix Support Center. After verification, we will update the information. Please submit the application from the Beta Tester Application Site after the changes are made.


There are sections on my application that I want to update/change after I applied for the Beta Test.
Survey answers submitted cannot be changed as the answers will impact the drawing result. Drawing will be based on the already submitted answers. We cannot disclose how the drawing is determined.


Do the Windows and PlayStation 3 Beta Tests start at the same time?
The "FINAL FANTASY XIV" PlayStation 3 Beta Test starts after Windows Beta Test.


I'm unable to apply for the PlayStation 3 version of the Beta Test.
Currently, only the application for the Windows version of the Beta Test can be submitted. Please wait for further announcements regarding the PlayStation 3 version submission period.


Why does the PlayStation 3 version of the Beta Test application period vary by region?
We are unable to answer questions regarding why the Beta test application periods differ by regions.


Does the launch of the PlayStation 3 version of the Beta Test also vary by region?
Although the entry period varies, the PlayStation 3 version of the Beta Test is scheduled to start at the same time for all regions.


When does the Beta Test start?
We do not have a date when the Beta Test starts.

Please make sure to visit the official site(s) regularly (as well as this site, of course!) for the latest details on FINAL FANTASY XIV:
http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/
http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/

[Hydaelyn]

I'm surprised no one has commented on this yet. I'm sure a lot of people will find this really helpful. Thanks for gathering all of this information into one spot!

:angel:

[Reev]

applied, let's hope for good ><

[pogiman]

I hope I get selected :msnlaugh:

[Eorzea]

UPDATE from VanaFest:

Everyone in attendance at VanaFest will be in the first wave of beta testers and able to access the beta immediately. The actual beta testing site is set to go live on March 11 for those who have been chosen.
It is not yet clear when beta invites will be sent out.

Quote

With the eagerly anticipated FINAL FANTASY XIV drawing ever nearer its beta test phase, we are excited to announce that we will be conducting a closed alpha test—exclusive to our loyal FINAL FANTASY XI users!

Those who have been selected as beta testers can expect to receive further information starting from Monday, March 1.

* The tester website is scheduled to go live on Thursday, March 11.

Those who were not selected in this drawing, fear not, for there will be other opportunities to come. Be sure to stay tuned!

[Eorzea]

Some new information on the official beta application page has been updated with some new information/disclaimers:

• You can now reapply for the beta which will in turn update your application. In the past it gave you an error message if you tried to reapply.
  
• If you apply multiple times, only your final application will be valid.
  
• There is now a place to submit a PS3 beta code on the application form: "If you received a FINAL FANTASY XIV promotional code for registering FINAL FANTASY XIII on the Square Enix Members site, please enter that code now."

More official information:

• If you have received a FINAL FANTASY XIV promotional code for registering FINAL FANTASY XIII on the Square Enix Members site, please use it to apply for the beta test.
  
• If you have already applied for the FINAL FANTASY XIV beta test but would like to apply for the PlayStation 3 beta with a FINAL FANTASY XIV promotional code, please be aware that all previous applications will be invalidated.
  
• The promotional code will also be required to obtain the FINAL FANTASY XIV secret in-game item, so please hold on to your code until the game’s official release.

[TheKing]

Eorzea, on Mar 9, 2010 - 7:12 AM, said:

"If you received a FINAL FANTASY XIV promotional code for registering FINAL FANTASY XIII on the Square Enix Members site, please enter that code now.

does that mean we can still register for ff13 and get a promotional code?

[Kurisu]

Wow, I better register my copy of Final Fantasy XIII then, hadn't I? It would be good to be able to participate in the PS3 Beta I'll probably register it tomorrow. EDIT: Well I may as well go and get the registration code now, to be honest! *goes*

This post has been edited by Kurisu: Mar 9, 2010 - 4:22 PM

[Eorzea]

Apparently the second round of invites have been/are being sent out now.

[Eorzea]

According to an interview at Famitsu.com, the beta version being shown at E3 is nearly complete and should soon be ready to go public. After debugging and once alpha tests finish this week, Square Enix will begin preparations for the start of beta testing. Nothing's set in stone, of course, but they hope to have the beta test running in the next month or so.

[Osman]

I would like to know how pre-order works, I'm buying the game through amazon, Will they send a key to play the beta once it comes out?.

The estimated delivery day is Oct 5 (box, DVD). And that's five days after release... also I would like to know if I'll be able to play from day 1 or do I have to wait for the box and they key inside.

Maybe I'm asking this too soon.. but I want to place the order at amazon and I'm really curious.

Thanks in advance.

Note:

*want to have it by sep 30, just pay a 6$ shipping fee.

This post has been edited by Osman: Jul 1, 2010 - 7:03 PM

[Saeryne]

I dont think its Closed beta. Closed beta should be only via their website.

Early access to the game is usually 3 or so days and its not beta or open beta. It is as said, early acccess to the retail. Which is good in a way becuase is spreads out when people are trying to access the game for the first time.

With Vanguard open beta was a case of ' on X day at X time the first x amount of people to log on and obatin these codes with be in open beta' and had nothing to do with pre-order. I pre-ordered the collector and still got early access of 3 days.

I beleive in they send you a key via email and MAYBE a download site if they cant send out the actual game. Not sure on that though. But usually its a key via email.

[Saeryne]

Does anyone have access to Twitter?

I can not log in (no account) but it says:

'The Beta Client Installer is now available for download, and info on the starting day of the Beta Test is right around the corner! '

Anyone on twitter who can see what this is about?

[armyofbear136]

Saeryne, on Jul 2, 2010 - 5:39 AM, said:

I beleive in they send you a key via email and MAYBE a download site if they cant send out the actual game. Not sure on that though. But usually its a key via email.

A friend of mine may or may not have received a beta key through the email, and the download link for it may or may not be accessed through the beta website o.o

[Saeryne]

ohhhhh!!!!!!!

GAHHH!!!!

I want....