PS2 Beta ppl, we're getting the retail NOW!

[Luxury]

Originally posted by rwyan
" sony is really trying to become the center of the living room (like the xbox), and so these applications that are going to be on the hdd are - to them at least - much more important than ffxi is"

Disclaimer: X-Box Opinion

I totally disagree with the above opinion "center of the living room (like the xbox)". No system to date has come close to this idea that console developers want to achieve. In fact, sony's upcoming PSX will probably fit that role better than any system to date for obvious reasons. All current systems are today are compact PC's. Sure, current consoles function as DvD players, gaming systems, and CD players, but none are very optimal for usages besides gaming.

Sorry...I didn't mean to say that the X-Box is currently at the center of the living room - but they really want to be. Both Sony and Microsoft are trying to be at the center. The PSX will aid Sony in the short-term, but you will really see this battle heat up with the PS3 and X-Box2.

I think also think that a good part of the hold up is because of the PSX. I think that the software for the HDD will just be dumbed down versions of the same software for the PSX - minus the DVD burner/TV tuner capabilities. It makes sense. They are both PS2's with a HDD. They will try to make them as similar as possible. Think about it.

[xarddrax]

Well if you guys are gonna try and analize release times, money costs, Sony, EQ and etc... you also need to realize that Final Fantasy X-2 is coming out 11/18/03. And if you think Square is gonna let 2 Final Fantasy titles for PS2 come out so closely to each other, you need to get into a marketing analysis class....cuz only a moron that wants a big loss in sales would do such a thing. If it is early for PS2 id say MAYBE in late January/early Feb.
A major customer for these games is kid ages 13-18. Parents wont want to fork over 99$ for a HDD /w FFFXI and then another 49$ for FFX2 back to back.
I wont even get X-2 til next year when i feel i've spent enough time on FFXI (plus prices will have dropped by then too)

Like i said before....Just assume you wont get the HDD til March and if it happens earlier, you can be happy.

[Wolfnine]

Don't think of it as sony saying that because the components are not ready they will not release the HDD. Sony can release the HDD now to get everyone to get one and later on down the road they can have a disk for retail to install the initial software for all the other things that they listed that are going to be on it.

It's all one big marketing ploy so that Square-Enix and Sony can make money without losing a profit. Sony's gonna lose money anyway when FFXI comes out on PC, they know this. That is why the PS2 version of FFXI is being pushed. Not only is it because of Frontiers coming out on PS2 but for Square-Enix to make some cash off of X-2. It sucks but that's business.

[Centurion]

I sent some emails out to try and get some answers to some of the questions we all seem to be having. It sounds to me like PS2 users will not be seeing the HDD anytime soon, read for yourself-
My message- sent to support@us.playonline.com
>Greetings,
>I have just read the announcement about the end of the Beta test, and I have
>a couple of questions.
>
>1. In the announcement it states, "However, you can carry over some data
>from your beta test account if you subscribe to the live service by January
>31, 2004."
>It was my understanding that the HDD would not be released for the PS2 until
>March 2004. This date is beyond the 'carry over' date, does this mean PS2
>users will not be able to carry over their information?
>
>2. In the original documentation that came with the Beta test kit was a
>statment that said PS2 Beta testers would be recieving a consumer release
>HDD after returning the unit used for Beta testing.
>Is this still your intention, and if so, is there and estimated time for
>delivery of this new HDD?
>
>
>Thank you for time,
Playonline's response
Thank you for your interest in the Play Online, FINAL FANTASY XI, and Tetra
Master Public Beta Test.

Yes you will receive a HDD when beta is over and you have returned the beta
HDD, but we do not have an ETA on that as of yet. You will not be able to carry
any information over as a PS2 user, only windows users will be able to carry
over POL information. Remember all characters are being wiped from windows and
PS2.

[rwyan]

So PS2 beta testers are getting the HDD sometime between the end of beta and the release of the HDD. My guess it towards the release of the HDD but we might get it earlier.

[Centurion]

This next bit of correspondence i had, gives us a pretty good idea i think.
original message sent to: support@us.playonline.com
Greetings,

There has been a lot of conjecture on when PS2 Beta testers of FFXI will actually be receiving the Consumer release HDD.

Any light you could shed on this matter would be most appreciated.

Thank you for your time,

Playonline's Response
Thank you for your interest in the PlayOnline, FINAL FANTASY XI, and Tetra
Master Public Beta Test.Ê

The new HDD units will be shipped sometime around March before the release of
the PS2 version of FFXI.

Once again, thank you for your interest and we hope to see you online!

[CloudFFVII]

Originally posted by Gman
Question about shipping the package back (kind of a comment too)

It's funny that we now have to physically BRING the package to the UPS/Purolator depots, when at the start of the beta, and in the beta instructions, it simply said to call them and they would come get it... a little odd, but no biggie...

My question is... once we send the kit back, how can we confirm that Square received it and has us on the list of people whom they will be shipping the retail version to? I just don't want any mistakes to happen where March rolls around and my name gets lost in the shuffle, and they end up not sending me the kit. I guess we could track it through the shipper, but will Square send us a cinfirmation E-mail or something saying they got it?

Interesting theory BTW Decard... hope you're right, but I have my doubts...

Haha you do ill just ship it from work lmao

[Grand Lethal]

Well I gotta say I feel lucky and cheated all at the same time. I know that as a PS2 tester I am privaledged enough to get a free HDD and copy of the game, but it really sux that I have to wait until march to play a game that has sucked up so much of my life since July
I really wish that Sony would send us an HDD that will be functional for FFXI and the game, and then ship us a software update nearer to the PS2 HDD release... I know thats a lot to ask, but I know it would make them more money ($10/month x 250+ ex-beta testers).
I guess on an up note, I will get to rub my eyes and get outside for a bit (or find a new game to play in the meantime). I just think its extremely mean to allow one group of people to play and not another... especially when its FFXI, a game that is dominantly Console.

[Star Sibyl]

I can't believe everyone here failed to realize that Gran Turismo 3 is dated to be released the same time as the HDD's release in March as well. This completely confirms to me that there is NO WAY Sony is planning to release them before December. It seems economically logical to release them with FFXI installed as a bonus and pitch to the consumer that Gran Turismo is the featured game for it. The HDDs will in fact not really sell well with just FFXI...not in America at least.

Yes, it's sad...and I don't know what I'll be doing for the next six months of going through FFXI withdrawl...


Jenstar looks at the PS2 and sighs dejectedly.

[fyrewyre]

heres why i think the ps2 beta testers will play in march instead of november:

1) you cannot keep your items and that means via transfering from a beta to a NA ver etc

2) they have to count and penalize those who have handed in drives

3)they are readying more hard drives and it would cause chaos if some ppl had a game thats due 5 months later

4)theres might be a log file hidden that may keep tabs of what you have been doing or exploiting (hehe that would be nice eh?)
or errors and analyzing your gaming habits :p

5)beta hard drives are betas. they arent the finalized product. you can never knnow if they are adding patches or something else like the added software or possibly a whole new kernel or filesystem or more/different encryption. i also hear recycling is good.

6) sony reps are all hoisted in their chairs forced to play EverQrap and relasing the expansion and a game that will steal their fans...sorry i got lost in there

7) playstation is sony's, they pull the strings so if sony says jump then ffxi says how high

after reading the posts above i see alot of assumptions. nowhere in the letter did it say immediatly or anything like that. they may have your name in a list reserved for recieving a copy. reading one post i see that you will get the shipping info after you return it. well thats how they will be able to prep the game in the future. also haplo has some interesting points may i add. ok its two am, im off to dream, good night

[JJman500]

The main reason us beta testers won't receive the final version before release is because we could then sell it on ebay. Think of how many beta testers there are. If we get the final version of a game that isn't set to be released for a few months, we could easily fetch more than 100 bucks on it on ebay. I personally will probably sell the one they ship to me anyways, FFXI isn't worth $12.95 a month, that is waaaaay overpriced. If you wanted to play for a year, that would be $156. Add to this the cost of the hdd and game, $256, just to play one game for a year. And, if you decide you don't want to take a break from them taking money from your wallets and cancel your subscription for a few months then you can do that, but then you'll have to start over with a brand new character! The 12.95 a month wouldn't be that bad if you were free to not pay or play for a few months and pick up where you left off when you have more cashflow. If not, the game should be about 5 bucks a month, otherwise its not worth it.

[fyrewyre]

Originally posted by JJman500
And, if you decide you don't want to take a break from them taking money from your wallets and cancel your subscription for a few months then you can do that, but then you'll have to start over with a brand new character!

aww crap...say it aint true!

[Sindarkus]

Originally posted by fyrewyre


aww crap...say it aint true!

No, you can reinstate a character ID.

I sent a mail about the release off the HDD a few days ago, and they replied, saying they'd send it a week before it's release in March.
No HDD early for us... lol

[pidge]

When a person in our shell talked to a guy at FFXI support, he said that the Beta HDD and the Retail HDD are 2 totally different units. Plus, the retail HDD will have FFXI on it, and sony aplications pre-installed.

[Vandriel]

in response to your post i called the phone number given on the email the guy said that we wont be getting our HDDs till 1 week before march now i know SCEA and SE are 2 diff companies and dont communicate with eachother well but thgis is what i heard from this guy and i dont know if he was just blowing me off or what u dcide and call the phine number