Rumor: FFXIV beta may kick off in September
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Jun 22nd 2009 at 12:15PM } 
Considering the game's been announced for a little over two weeks but is set to drop in 2010, we expect news for Final Fantasy XIV to fly fast and furious in the months leading up to its release. Today, for instance, we've received rumors claiming that the beta process for the game will begin as early as September, spawned by a recently uploaded Help Wanted sign on Square Enix's site which requests the aid of game testers and game masters.
The employment offering doesn't actually mention FFXIV, though -- it only asks that applicants be well versed in FFXI, which led some fans to speculate that most of the FFXI support team will be shifted to XIV. The GM positions are scheduled to start mid-September -- a potential start date for the speculated beta. Also lending credence is the fact that the FFXIV dev team claims to have been working on the game for five years, and wants it to have a longer beta period than XI's, which was only four months.
We're smelling a lot of "if" coming off this rumor, but our sister site Massively (which knows more about MMOs than anyone ever) thinks it carries some weight. We'll adhere to its wise, wise judgment.
The employment offering doesn't actually mention FFXIV, though -- it only asks that applicants be well versed in FFXI, which led some fans to speculate that most of the FFXI support team will be shifted to XIV. The GM positions are scheduled to start mid-September -- a potential start date for the speculated beta. Also lending credence is the fact that the FFXIV dev team claims to have been working on the game for five years, and wants it to have a longer beta period than XI's, which was only four months.
We're smelling a lot of "if" coming off this rumor, but our sister site Massively (which knows more about MMOs than anyone ever) thinks it carries some weight. We'll adhere to its wise, wise judgment.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Captain Planet @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:11AM
Meh
Markez @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:30PM
Are you the guy that use to post here with the 007 something commenter name? Was just a negative ass about everything?
Markez @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:33PM
I guess I can understand the bitterness though, life has been harsh on you http://www.break.com/pictures/polluted760216.html
Captain Planet @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:47PM
Are you the guy who sucks off Square Enix's teet every night at the very mention of anything Final Fantasy? Or do I have you confused with this guy:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y252/teardrop_hero/3414_540.jpg
Tell your mom I said hi too:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y252/teardrop_hero/3415_540.jpg
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jun 22nd 2009 1:50PM
Are You the guy who has to poopoo anything Final fantasy because it's all conformists and way too mainstream for your tear drenched ass or do I have you confused with this guy?
http://www.vaycanina.com/resimler/standart/06052007172722emo_boys_rock--large-msg-1152717544.jpg
Captain Planet @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:26PM
lol, keep sucking the tip
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jun 22nd 2009 6:13PM
That's it? That's your inspiring rebuttal? Bad troll is bad.
Captain Planet @ Jun 22nd 2009 7:13PM
Troll? LOL...there's nothing more I need to say. Arguing with fanboys, let alone FF fanboys, is about as pointless as Rosie O'Donnell having a vagina.
Xvnine @ Jun 22nd 2009 7:45PM
Shits weak Captain Planet.
el serpiente @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:10PM
He's a stupid troll, and also seems to be 12. Ignore him.
Lav @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:28AM
I wanna say that Final Fantasy and MMORPG put together is a oxymoron...But..Final Fantasy never ends anyway.
MaliceMajorE15 @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:33AM
sure it does. anyone who has ever played a final fantasy will testify to that. why is it an oxy moron? FFXI is pretty good so i dont know what your comment is based on. maybe you are just anti RPG
Victor @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:55AM
I used to play WoW, then I went on an exchange program to the US and my host sister played FFXI and made me play it (on the 360).
It felt clunky, looked awful and was boring as hell.
That's just me though :x
Skipjimroo @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:51PM
I think the more likely scenario is that he doesn't know what an oxymoron is.
Google is your friend kids. Use it wisely.
Lavat @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:37PM
@malice
Its not really. But you would think that Final Fantasy would finnaly end at some point. It really doesnt...So anyway...Final Fantasy + MMO is The Neverending Story.
Draco @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:24AM
I would wager this is more of an in-house alpha test. even pre-alpha.
tafuub @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:49PM
Why would you hire Gamemasters (People who uphold the rules) to govern your own employees. Thats like hiring cops in a top made up entirely of cops. Kinda dumb really.
Also I just check this link out and theres even more stuff look like they are in the process of doing translations. I have a feeling this rumor is right. There going to need people to double check all the dialogue and everything else. Semptember is about roughly the time to get most of the translations done.
tafuub @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:50PM
top=town It's hot in this car and it's killing me that's my excuse damnit.
Jack_Jackington @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:03PM
@ tafuub
cops commit crimes just like everybody else
Kevin @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:43AM
Why wait until September when I can not give a shit now!
Gadget @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:51AM
Why bother commenting at all you fookwit.
Draken Stark @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:24PM
First of all why are you posting if you don't care.
Second, thanks for all the information that you've given me. Enlightened by your input, I can now call you a douche.
capt_carl @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:50AM
I might consider trying to beta-test FFXIV. After four years of FFXI, and looking for something new to try, why not? I've always wanted to beta-test something, and 1vs100 just isn't cutting it.
Storm Eagle @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:44PM
Well, you see there's two types of beta testers in this world. The type of beta testing we're all used to, is the fun type. You play the game and test out the servers for the company and if you should happen to notice a glitch, you report it. Then there's the workhorse tester. They spend their time with the game not only doing that, but actually run through the game performing a lot of instances of "what happens when i do this" tests, and "will this work?" experiments. Sometimes, its not very fun.
Autobot @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:26PM
Just got IV: After Years on WiiWare and Tactics A2 in the mail to fill me in till then. Hopefully.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:30PM
So how much is this going to cost us, FF11 was £11 plus £1 more for each character, and this one?
Storm Eagle @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:41PM
Hopefully this is more marketed to the masses with reasonable fees and the like.
Heavytoka @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:39PM
I wouldn't mind being in the Beta just to see how it plays, I always reserve judgment on a game til after I've played it.
Muu @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:47PM
Timeframe sounds about right.
Late next month they're putting probably the 2nd-final major update to FF11 by adding the last additional area to the Wings of the Goddess expansion (Xarcabard[S]); missions will probably come to a close by the end of the year. I wish for the best of things to happen with FF14, but alongside Tanaka on the project is the lead producer for Chains of Promathia... anyone playing/used to play FF11 should know what that could mean.
jarhead906 @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:59PM
Why is everyone saying this game won't work, it's going to be rubbish, it'll be broken just like XI, etc;
Have I missed something or am I going to be able to play a very well made MMO on my PS3, for free (micro transactions)?
deanb @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:04PM
It may not be free, be aware of that. PS3 can carry out subscription services, ie Qore, so it can use subs for FFXIV( which it would be entirely upto S-E)
Personally I'd prefer an MMO to be subs than freemium, because at least everyone is on a level playing field, where as freemium means whoever has the most real cash has the best stuff in game.
Enosoma @ Jun 22nd 2009 1:04PM
Final Fantasy XI was TERRIBLE. It's almost like an exercise simulator, considering you spend nearly 75% of your time searching for something to kill, or people to kill things with. Also, the enemy designs sucked ass.
maxwell @ Jun 22nd 2009 1:21PM
Have you played in the last year? Finding a party is a snap with the Level Sync system. And you don't have to "search" for something to kill because that something is alway Colibri.
Enosoma @ Jun 22nd 2009 1:27PM
I haven't played since the first year it came out. I must not be as patient as you.
Abdulrhman-s @ Jun 22nd 2009 1:19PM
i hope it's for PS3 also , not just for the PC . They didn't say it's for PC , they didn't say if there is a damn beta but i think if they come up with a beta it will be just for PC . hope it's cross platform too .
8bitgeorge @ Jun 22nd 2009 1:38PM
Hm.. what? It's for PS3 and it has already been stated it's also coming to the PC.
Abdulrhman-s @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:37PM
no i mean the Beta it self .
8bitgeorge @ Jun 22nd 2009 1:38PM
I have high hopes for FFXIV since during the last couple of months SE has been doing a great job for appealing a more "casual" market in FFXI. Sure, some people may be hardcore, but I like my games fun. I'm sure they know they'll get the perfect formula.
KatieLG @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:04PM
I'll be there if this is true. Quit FFXI last year after playing since UK release so I'm looking forward to a new adventure. FFXI was my real MMO after trying everything else thanks to a compelling story and flexible job system, as well as characters who you become a part of and which were not as throw-away as other MMOs.
I'm hoping they continue down this more casual route they have been taking recently in XI, as I have much more of a life since the early days of my playing FFXI.
Also, the guy who said FFXI looked like crap but plays WoW, is a great big hippocrit.
Angel Mass @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:07PM
I dont know about you guys, but I just cant wait for FF MCDLXXIV!!
deanb @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:08PM
FFXIV and The Old Republic are competing for my MMO of '10, It's gonna be first come first served, but if I get in a beta of either and find it awesome I'll wait for it.
If either are pulled of right ( though I think Star Wars has the better chance) they cold pull at least a few million form WoW and keep em this time.
I really want to see how well it plays on PS3 too, they seem to have a ton of MMO's lined up, in fact most MMO's coming out over the next year are on PS3...
deanb @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:09PM
Oh and to quote Unskippable;
"One man, a bigger man, a woman and a large mutated chicken are Earths last hope"
Nobledevil @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:21PM
Why is this game getting so much hate?
Is it because it's an RPG? Because it's a Final Fantasy game? Because it's an online game? Because it's a PS3 console exclusive (for now)? Cripes, some of the people sound incredibly pathetic spewing hate on a game you have never played and never WILL play.
Let people with actual varied taste in games enjoy a conversation, for Christ's sake...
eNrique @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:33PM
Because it's console exclusive.
Simple as that.
Bluebrake @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:44PM
It's not console exclusive. Never has been.
People hate it because because a very large number of troglodytes played FFXI for two weeks at launch, decided it was too hard, and left to bitch about it for the next five years. FFXI thus gained a bad reputation despite being loved by many.
And never mind that the new game is going in a completely different direction from XI's unrelenting hardcore style. People like to complain.
eNrique @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:54PM
It's coming out for PS3 and windows, meaning it's console exclusive, for the PlayStation 3.
Hiro @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:36PM
PS3 and Windows, meaning it's not console exclusive.
For consoles, it's PS3 exclusive. PS3 exclusive =/= Console exclusive
Kaio @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:04PM
For one, Final Fantasy VII fanboys bash any Final Fantasy game thats not a remake of 7. Another thing, WoWtards thought FFXI was too hard and required to much effort.
Nobledevil @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:51PM
I actually liked the fact that XI kicked my ass. It was the first MMO I played, so I got used to the relentless butt-hurt I got from it.
Plus the ease of macro creation / manipulation and the incredibly versatile sub-job system meant I could play however I want with the same character and still stay on the same server.
Whew, almost a run-on sentence there. But you people who played and loved XI know what I'm talking about; it's a die-hard community and I can't wait for a beta of XIV to rejoin it.
Bluebrake @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:49PM
This news has been digested and mostly dismissed by the FFXIV forums for weeks. Summary: the QA coordinator and testers are probably for XIV, but for the in-house alpha. The Game Master is most likely for FFXI.
The game's producers said in an interview that the beta will begin in 2010:
http://ffxiv.zam.com/story.html?story=18415