Public Beta?!?! [Not April Fools Joke I Swear]

[CrysDark]

Purusing the new Square-Enix website and what do I see, blaring on the front page, with FFXI online Public beta. I mean right there on the front page! So much for the naysayers about there not being an NA beta.:p

Square-Enix (http://www.square-enix-usa.com/)

So what are your thoughts on this?

[DJplaeskool]

looks legit to me...
at least visible progress is being made...

[Balgas]

Hurrah! But, I bet they'll make us buy all the equipment, instead of sending it for free, like they did to the closed beta testers. Well at least importers will be able to put in their comments.

[snappurunyanko]

=;_;= This better not be a sadistic april fool's joke by square =._.=;;;

[Cadois]

square wouldn't do something like that. At least I don't think they would. It would turn people away from the game if they lied. They will lie about everything else. it's probably true

[Auron(DE)]

THIS one seems to be official. We've got the official site and April fools weren't Square's style, I would say.

[Cadois]

nice signature Auron (DE)

[Auron(DE)]

hehe, thanks ;)

[Rafi Malak']

What a marvelous thing to behold. . . I think i'm going to cry!!!

[Lady Kelenae]

*faints*:eek: :eek:

[Fox Excalibur]

actually....im sorry to let your hopes down....but....

by public beta they may mean the beta that was already sent out. In fact i would bet money on it. You can argue that its not "public" but sending in applications to beta test a game, and then getting to, is a public beta, its just not an OPEN beta. Seeing as the people who are playing the beta now are "the public" and not actual professional beta testers, that "coming soon" link, will probably just be info to keep us up (and the testers) on how the beta is going.

[Lady Kelenae]

Um.... Public IS open beta my friend... They would of said Cloesed Beta instad..

[CrysDark]

Beta testing comes in many stages, being a vetran of almost 15 beta's 5 of those being the most recent big name RPG's I can state with some experaince, that

First Comes Alpha, the typical inhouse testing done by the crew and thier friends.

Closed beta, limited access by a select few that the company deems would help them develop thier game.

Public Beta, limited (but not as limited as closed) where the "public" apply's and is selected by the company, this is the portion that most people test in, and has most likley many phases including.

Open Beta, mostly the masses download the game, and it is basically just for stress testing.


FFXI was tested once alread by Japan, and the test right now, is actuallly a Connectivity test, as they are not accepting any Bug Reports, suggestions or comments that don't pertain to connecting to the Japanese server.

Honestly I don't see a need for a public beta, since one it's already been beta tested by Japan, and two play time bug's have already been elimnated during the past year of the Japanese release. Other than checking for english script errors, or for some final stress testing of the servers. But hey, at least you know there is some news, for us news starverd FFXI addicts.

[Fox Excalibur]

Originally posted by CrysDark
Beta testing comes in many stages, being a vetran of almost 15 beta's 5 of those being the most recent big name RPG's I can state with some experaince, that

First Comes Alpha, the typical inhouse testing done by the crew and thier friends.

Closed beta, limited access by a select few that the company deems would help them develop thier game.

Public Beta, limited (but not as limited as closed) where the "public" apply's and is selected by the company, this is the portion that most people test in, and has most likley many phases including.

Open Beta, mostly the masses download the game, and it is basically just for stress testing.


see Kalenae? shouldnt argue with the Fox :p

the public applications are already over. Its too late for us to beta test now. if they had an open public beta, we could get in, but no, Square wont do that, they dont need to, and it would only cause them problems (because they already know the stress testing reasons cause they have a full amount players in Japan already, and having an OPEN public beta would only flood thier servers when they will need to open a few more for the NA release, they wont open those for a stress test, because then what would be the point of having the beta at all then, and not just going directly to the release?). Actually i hope they dont do an open public beta, and im not an importer, im waiting just like you, but they wont have an open beta. If you have beta tested games besides stuff like RO, you would understand this like CrysDark

[Janus Zeal]

If it indeed is an open beta, you can bet all your money and your soul that I'll do everything to be part of it hehe, even if I lose everything once the game really comes up.

[MHouser]

bout time...I was getting tired of waiting ^_^

[Auron(DE)]

I hope it's not for US residents only :/.

And lets hope that "Coming soon" doesn't mean "in 6 months" ;)

[Lady Kelenae]

Originally posted by Fox Excalibur


see Kalenae? shouldnt argue with the Fox :p

the public applications are already over. Its too late for us to beta test now. if they had an open public beta, we could get in, but no, Square wont do that, they dont need to, and it would only cause them problems (because they already know the stress testing reasons cause they have a full amount players in Japan already, and having an OPEN public beta would only flood thier servers when they will need to open a few more for the NA release, they wont open those for a stress test, because then what would be the point of having the beta at all then, and not just going directly to the release?). Actually i hope they dont do an open public beta, and im not an importer, im waiting just like you, but they wont have an open beta. If you have beta tested games besides stuff like RO, you would understand this like CrysDark

I'm not argueing... i just dont agree with you thats all =P

[Dwimordene]

Fox, did you even read what that guy posted? He was just explaining the different phases of beta-testing. He did not validate what you are trying to prove. First of all, the first beta was a closed beta.. that means you can only do it if you are invited. From what I heard it was a connectivity test.

Now there will be a PUBLIC beta. This will be limited of course (as was already stated), but you will have to apply. This will probably be for U.S. Residents, since the NA version is the one being tested of course. If I can get my hands on the HDD sometime soon I will apply for sure.. you can count on that! ;)

After that will be a few more phases (this can go over the course of a few months or more), then the game will most likely be released shortly after (for PS2). The PC version will follow later. This was my experience with EQOA, which was released two months after the last beta phase.

I think they are holding this beta mostly to test out their servers and make sure translations went smoothly. :thumbsup:

[Janus Zeal]

Dwimordene, I think Auron(DE) hoped for it not being US only because he lives in Canada or something; like me. Canada is part of North America even if people forget this fact often.

[Lady Kelenae]

Originally posted by Dwimordene
Fox, did you even read what that guy posted? He was just explaining the different phases of beta-testing. He did not validate what you are trying to prove. First of all, the first beta was a closed beta.. that means you can only do it if you are invited. From what I heard it was a connectivity test.

Now there will be a PUBLIC beta. This will be limited of course (as was already stated), but you will have to apply. This will probably be for U.S. Residents, since the NA version is the one being tested of course. If I can get my hands on the HDD sometime soon I will apply for sure.. you can count on that! ;)

After that will be a few more phases (this can go over the course of a few months or more), then the game will most likely be released shortly after (for PS2). The PC version will follow later. This was my experience with EQOA, which was released two months after the last beta phase.

I think they are holding this beta mostly to test out their servers and make sure translations went smoothly. :thumbsup:

Thanks Sis... i was about to say that... but i wasnt in the mood ^_^

[Pai Pai Master]

hehe, we love you, Kelenae.

The test will be open for all North American residents, not just Americans. It's like that with every MMORPG. It'd suck if it was only for American players! :biggrin:

[Fox Excalibur]

Originally posted by Dwimordene
Fox, did you even read what that guy posted? He was just explaining the different phases of beta-testing. He did not validate what you are trying to prove. First of all, the first beta was a closed beta.. that means you can only do it if you are invited. From what I heard it was a connectivity test.

Now there will be a PUBLIC beta. This will be limited of course (as was already stated), but you will have to apply. This will probably be for U.S. Residents, since the NA version is the one being tested of course. If I can get my hands on the HDD sometime soon I will apply for sure.. you can count on that! ;)

After that will be a few more phases (this can go over the course of a few months or more), then the game will most likely be released shortly after (for PS2). The PC version will follow later. This was my experience with EQOA, which was released two months after the last beta phase.

I think they are holding this beta mostly to test out their servers and make sure translations went smoothly. :thumbsup:

Actually, did you read what I wrote?

Sure I know he wasnt agreeing, but I thought the specifications of what Beta's were, were prettyy clear from waht he said, there is a diffrent between PUBLIC beta and OPEN PUBLIC beta.

As i stated.......They ALREADY had application submissions for the PUBLIC beta. And that is going on as we speak, though it doesnt officially "start" for another month or so. Most of us missed out on putting in applications though.

Sure it would be hella fun to play FFXI now. But wishful thinking is not always company logic. Square, believe it or not, wants to make money on this game. It would cost them an unneeded waste of cash to do this.

Just the file alone....what are thy going to send everyone a full version of the game for free? with trial accounts? (im sorry....just......no)
And you cant download the whole game, because its a MASSIVE file, any importer will tell you this, that its 4 CDs in total, a CD can hold up to around 700 MBs of data, this would be murder for a Cable modem let alone 56kers. Not to mention soak up more bandwith then most any server can provide.

Im sorry if i sound mean or so, or like im starting to start a debate (im begining to think i am myself, and i dont like having to disagree with people). I just am trying to explaine my reasoning behind something that a company more then likely wont do. Looking at it from a logical standpoint, buisness and otherwise.

But I will say this, none of us know of course, so nothign i say is written in stone, im not 100% dead positive they wont, but i am probably close to around 90% sure of it.

[Pai Pai Master]

okokok, please no more arguing, i had enough of it with my literature teacher in class today. :sweat:

[Django]

In all honesty, Fox, we didn't read what you said...

We <3 Kelenae more than you. :(

*purrs and etc.*

[Janus Zeal]

I'M not saying this for the sake of going against you, but I'm 95% sure that its not the same phase and that there never was a time to send out applications (where and when heh?), PlayOnline's US site never was updated, so how could they possibly send an application for it? It's their official North American site, they wouldn't put it on the Japanese site, or force US Beta testers to have Japanese knowledge to play.

That's in my opinion, but I strongly believe in this.

[Fox Excalibur]

"In all honesty, Fox, we didn't read what you said...

We <3 Kelenae more than you."

thats just hurtful :(

well im not saying you have to believe me, i think your all just getting your hopes up, and that you might get dissapointed. A good example of what im talking about is SWG, a PUBLIC beta, but how many people who applied got accepted? I know i applied, im not playing it yet.

Well if i remember right, ask Reze, hes in the current beta, he should tell you about getting accepted.

[Serpent]

Todays April fools day so I am not going to belive any game news today *remembers MvC 3* :dead:

[Lady Kelenae]

Originally posted by Fox Excalibur

Well if i remember right, ask Reze, hes in the current beta, he should tell you about getting accepted.

...... Reze does not have a NA Client... its just the Japanese version... not Beta....


Its only to test the Connectivety of the Japanese servers with the Japanese Client... The next beta is to test the NA Client =P (I hope -_-)

[Ockman]

you cant think this is an april fools joke, i dont think it's japan's style as much as it is the u.s. Plus, square and enix officially merge today, April 1st was their merge date. square and enix's merger was one thing to get their u.s. base stronger. FFXI will probably their first thing they do for the u.s. besides final fantasy origins, which takes no effort really.

[Mithra91487]

we <3 you Kelenae! =^_^= sry fox lol

[ChronoMoose]

This beta is the second phase beta test. Square will probably have a sign up and select a few thousand people to play based on the submissions (or it could be random knowing them). But we have a much greater chance of being selected to this beta than the last for 2 reasons:
1) it's an open beta so we can put our names down saying we wanna play uberly bad.
2) how many people are actually going to sign up for the beta? ...probably a bunch, but oh well, not as much as SWG :spin:

[Kiddish]

Jeez sometimes i just don't get you people. Why is someone's misguided opinion more validated than factual truth just because you like them?

[Tifa XI]

1: It COULD be an April fools joke, however I doubt it. Don't count out anything until tommorow. Someone said the Japanese don't do this...well uh, this is the -USA- site, so it IS a possibility.

2: Fox, I'm sorry but you're a retard...ok that's a bit harsh, but, well, yes you are. Alot of the same people that worked on EQOA are working on FFXI, or atleast helping with it.
Fox, this is why I think you're a retard: "Just the file alone....what are thy going to send everyone a full version of the game for free? with trial accounts? (im sorry....just......no)"

Yes, it's very likely, EQOA sent everyone in the beta(About 2000 people) a free DVD for EVERY stage(3 or 4) of the game. Of course since you obviously don't know anything you wouldn't know that either.

The "TOO LATE THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS OVER" is also a retarded statement. The "BETA" you are thinking of was the "Stress test" beta. DIFFERENT BETA PEOPLE.

[Pai Pai Master]

people who actually know what they're talking about rock. :thumbsup:

[Janus Zeal]

Now Tifa you might be a bit too harsh on the guy, he's not a retard for not knowing facts you know.

I won't get my hopes up before tomorrow, but I still find it a great possibility, and just anything FFXI is enough to get me excited :biggrin: .

I agree with Tifa about them sending full versions of the game, they will if they do an open beta because its not supposed to cost a dime for testing, that you usually lose all you acquired during the Beta (so why the hell pay for it?). The latest thing is that I know from other betas that they usually give some extras (depends on the game) for beta testers, it might be to have a free pre-order of the release of North America (which would be so cool!).

[Kiddish]

How do you know they aren't talking about the connectivity test? Does it say that explicitly? No.

The bottom line is, it's a PUBLIC beta. Which is not an OPEN beta. Get that through your heads. So all you people jumping around that you're all going to beta test the game are retarded because a lot of you probably won't make it in.

[Janus Zeal]

Kiddish, this is a forum board, a place to discuss ideas, not flame others about theirs...

If you disagree about an idea, just say so and why you do, and if you have proof of what you are saying, then show us.

In addition, this forum is called "Dreams in Vana'diel", so even if we're debating about something that probably won't happen at all (but still has some possibility), then its ok, since its the place for it.

-my two gil

[Pai Pai Master]

public beta usually means an open beta...doesnt it?

this isn't the connectivity beta. signup for that is done, and that phase is going on right now. they called it the "closed beta phase".

s'far as i know, this one will be open to all north american residents, and hopefully signup will begin in the next week or two. :biggrin:

[Fox Excalibur]

im sorry but that was completely uncalled for and rude Tifa.

Anyway, the what Reze has is confirmed by Squaresoft to be part of the beta testing process, if not for the actual NA client, its a test on the connectivity to Japan so far, but they regard it as a beta (for reasons i dont know), and what Reis says might more then be true. That that was the first phase of the beta and a larger more open beta might be near.

Here is some things you have to consider;
FFXI cant come out for a beta on PS2 in America, because of no HDD, easy enough to understand.
FFXI cant really be sent on PC for reasons i stated before


PLEASE read this part if you read anything i say becuase it seems to be your largest point and it is invalid


FFXI IS NOT, EQOA. EQOA was a new game, and needed beta testing for things like bugs and glitches in gameplay AS WELL AS for connectivity issues, and such things.

(EDIT for Tifa!!!: Just thought i should let you know i was in EQOA beta as well, its nothing to think highly of, it wasnt much of a beta test, as beta tests go, and NOT the typical. besides, that was a beta of the game, not the full version, FFXI is completed, therefore...it would more then likely mean thats what they would have to send out, i dont know why they would cut the game up, or why they would even need to test a game thats already been tested)

The "beta" Reze is not a stress test, because he is playing on the same servers as the Japanese players, and therefore doesnt test anything new for "stress testing" wise.

When the beta for the NA english language version comes out, they will need to test bugs in the language settings and menus, but thats it, the game itself is already tested. The game is self is complete, done, over.

What Reis says is a really good point, Soon maybe the next phase will let alot more people join, but i can almost guarentee you that not everyone will get to.

PLEASE you have to understand. You might be getting your hopes up is all im saying

(also i wanna mention all the caps ive been using are to stress words, not to use them for yelling, im just too lazy to use the italic code ;) and that when i first told you not to argue with me Kelenae, I was just kidding around, i hope you didnt think i was being obnoxiouse)


I am very hurt by this intolerance from people for suggestions. I am just trying to explaine the technical downside to this beta testing theory, i dont deserve this kinda treatment, i have done no disrespect to any of you, if i did offend you somehow im very sorry, it was never my intention)

I am willing to throw away the whole idea if someone presents to me a REAL case that there might be a real OPEN PUBLIC beta, we know its public, no where does it say open.

but really, im just spouting off logic here, if you can find a way to prove against it im MORE then willing to hear. But so far the retorts have just been hearsay

I really hate to have you all mad at me, i never wanted that at all, im very sorry for whatever ive done to make you all so peeved off at me.

[Kiddish]

This has as much to do with people miscontruing information as it does ideas. It's a fact: PUBLIC BETA IS NOT THE SAME AS AN OPEN BETA. Public beta has public applications, but still only a selected few are allowed to test, while open betas have public applications and everyone is accepted, usually immediately. The connectivity test is borderline public/closed, as not everyone was given the opportunity to apply, but the people who were were chosen randomly, and did not have any specific affiliation with Square beforehand. Anyone who has participated in both knows the difference.

Oh yeah, and it's okay for someone to *personally* insult another specific user, but directing a loose insult towards the general population is not? Great logic there.

[ChronoMoose]

It's a fact: PUBLIC BETA IS NOT THE SAME AS AN OPEN BETA. Public beta has public applications, but still only a selected few are allowed to test, while open betas have public applications and everyone is accepted, usually immediately. ya that's true. This person knowz dere stoof!

I bet they don't have an open beta... there would be no point to that since the game has been tested for bugs already (and has been released in japan! lol). This public beta (which we all no doubt sign up first day it's available to do so) will probably test for text, POL options, and NTSC conversion errors. It will also most likely be a larger scale beta than the current one to stress test any new servers.

i've said my 2 gil as well... actually, I think i said 5 gil. :thumbsup:

[Fox Excalibur]

I really appreciate you standing up for me Kiddish, but you do have to be careful of what you say. Its not worth insulting someone else for being insulted. Then you just go down to thier level. I do appreciate that you would listen to me though, and give me a chance.

I never go to forums anymore, but i thought i could come here and post and talk about FFXI, help those with less info then myself, and provide the speculation we need to look at upcoming unreleased information...i guess i was wrong, i put most of you on a higher level of maturity then your at. Just because someone says something you dont like, because your happy believeing someone/something else, doesnt make them wrong.

Anyway, ill be leaving if treatment like this continues when a simple discussion is trying to be made. (and i guess since im all of a sudden such a bad guy, that would make alot of you happy now)

[Pai Pai Master]

ah, ok. thanks for clearing that up. :biggrin:

[buntaro]

ummmm just a question is i may......how does one go about signing up for one of these beta tests?!?!??!? thanx:p

[Pai Pai Master]

Square Enix will probably have signups available on the website in a few weeks. It usually goes that you'll have to fill in an application, and they'll choose people depending on the required criteria.

[Fox Excalibur]

oh i would like to mention once again, plain and simple for those who like to disregard the things i say, argue it, without even reading my posts.

BY ALL MEANS I HOPE IM WRONG!

it would be nice if there was such a beta in the future, but from a economic/business/and Technical standpoint, i just dont see it :(

[penpen]

im guessing public beta can be either open or closed

open meaning you just sign up and download or ask for a cd or whatever

closed meaning you have to sign up then you must wait for them to accept people

public meaning its open to the public, unlike the current beta where it was not.

*wonders why every thread like this turns into a big flame*

[Fox Excalibur]

actually the current beta was open to the public as well, all public means in this context is the....public, and people who arent on thier payroll as beta testers. It was just a very small percentage of the public.

public beta testing is company jargon for getting thier needs met for free (and of course testing server issues of crashing with influxes of people and such). But fans get to play the game early, so no one can complain.

[Red]

Lord have mercy. I came to this topic reading cheerfully and further down as I scroll through the endless CRAP fox, kiddish and whoever wrote, I became sad and bored. You people need to get on AIM or something. Who wants to read all that shet. Can't we just be happy about this?

[penpen]

actually the current beta is not public. there was no sign up page or anything, just a random selection of playonline users.

[Fox Excalibur]

hmmm, random selection. Well Im glad you told me that, i wasnt sure if it was completely random, or if there was a short time of an application to send in. Either way, i dont know if that negates it as a Public beta because...they are still the public.

and Red, Im on AIM almost 24/7, even if im not at my computer, anyone can feel free to IM me to talk about it or anything else. Heck come to me with personal problems even, i love to help any way i can ^^.

But im sorry if what i said made you sad or bored.....but i mean its just something to say, if i didnt say it and Square didnt have the free open pulbic beta everyone is expecting now, you would probably be even more sad if no one ever botherd to give any critisizm to whether that was what they meant when absolutely no info on this is realeased. Im sure it would have crossed someones mind, but if it didnt, and no one said anything, then things would be even worse off i believe. I think people should just consider what im saying, thats all im doing, i mention time and time again, what i say is not written in stone.

[Fox Excalibur]

You know what, going back and re-reading a few things, im going to retract a few statments i made, as they probably arent correct. You can figure out what ones they are themselves, i dont wanna list them, too much work :( (some things i said dont add up, and now that i know there wasnt any beta submissions for the current "beta" it gives more hope :))

Hmm anyway ill give something new to look at in skeptisism. While i dont WANT to be skeptical, i just dont want to see people getting let down either.

Square is a Japanese based company, thier defenition of Beta might be diffrent from what we are used to.

this is a FAR stretch of logic, but i thought i might want to bring it up, just in case.

Lets hope we can test the game

but still i just dont see how we could...

[FFMEGAMAN]

There is a different why they called the closed beta a closed beta, and why they call a public beta a public beta! So be quiet coz they are both different, and public beta lets a lot more ppl in than a closed beta.

[MHouser]

calm down ppl may is jsut a month away...maybe we will hear something at E3

[puhfyn]

Originally posted by FFMEGAMAN
There is a different why they called the closed beta a closed beta, and why they call a public beta a public beta! So be quiet coz they are both different, and public beta lets a lot more ppl in than a closed beta.

Yeah.... sqauare was being all secretive about the closed beta, not announcing it except by random email, and telling the applicants not to say anything about it. Now they are spreading the word on their front page of a PUBLIC beta, i dont see closed anywhere in there, so why would they be advertising it if it wasn't open to the public somehow?
Now that Square is Square Enix as of today, mabye they will finally start to get this game over here.

[Fox Excalibur]

ok megaman, you make a COMPELLING arguement we havent stated yet before, i give you the award for most original.


sorry that was pretty mean :p im getting tired of the posts that dont add anything but seem to have people ready to refute what they dont know.

Yeah closed beta is closed

and public beta is public

and public beta lets in more people

but we are talking about OPEN public, versus a plain ol' public beta. It probably wont be the beta that is going on now...hey ill amke a point of that here and now


THE PUBLIC BETA IS NOT THE ONE GOING ON NOW!!!! CHANCES ARE ITS NOT!!!!!

ok


now taht we have gotten that out of the way, and i will admit that i was wrong thinking it might be..... but as i stated before, i was only saying it MIGHT be, M....I...G....H....T

people have a hard time understanding this word

"Might" means a probability, not an exact. It also means strong...but thats not the meaning im going for.


Anyway, i will look forward and hoping it is a public beta that has more people.

but this does not mean we will all get to participate, also it does not mean that ALOT of people will even be accepted

they may only accept another 1,000 or so people, because the game being FINISHED, they dont need to test things very strongly. Only the new version having any problems with its operation. MAYBE they will let alot of people be in a public beta to test some new servers as well, that would be even better.

but please, im tired of having people try to insult me, those are are only prove thier incompetence to actually read something, and how they like to argue with something they dont even know (by this i mean havent read, not if they know about what a beta is or not)

So as i continue to state, there is a chance, lets see what happens.

[Teknoman]

:biggrin: Man i was so happy when i saw the squareenix new site! This is great cuz its gonna be a PUBLIC beta too! So that means we all can participate. Just a lil bit more waiting and soon we all will be on our adventure!:thumbsup:

[puhfyn]

Originally posted by Teknoman
:biggrin: Man i was so happy when i saw the squareenix new site! This is great cuz its gonna be a PUBLIC beta too! So that means we all can participate. Just a lil bit more waiting and soon we all will be on our adventure!:thumbsup:

naw, I think i'm going with fox on this one. I think applications will be open to the public, not random selection as in the closed beta. However, square will probably select a certain amount of people if they are in fact going to send out everything necessary to beta the game.

[Fox Excalibur]

yay!!! thanks puhfyn!! someone who thinks im not a bad guy, now only 243 more people to convince ;)

(this is a randomly made up number, maybe only like 5 of you actually think i am)

[ChronoMoose]

At least this confirms that the game will come out this year.

I soooo hope I get chosen for the beta! I don't wanna wait any longer!!!

ALL HAIL "SQUEINX":handsdown :handsdown :handsdown :handsdown

[Chase]

Well I will be glad if this is an opean public beta like everyone [even Fox] wants (despite there argueing that it won't be) we will just have to waite and see :) but even if it isn't people be happy the game will be out soon anyway i sure all of you have waited along time for this game, i know i certainly have, you just have to waite a little bit longer and the beta confirms it

[AikenIdin]

Fox, you are a total noob. I am a hardened veteran of the beta testing genre. If there is something to be known about beta, I know it. Or not. But I do agree with you on this case, and I'll back you up. I think everyone is forgetting that they all love the game and should just stop yelling/insulting everyone else over it. That's not what gaming is about. If it is open beta testing then great, if not then we have to wait. Life goes on. *Hopes life will go on for himself after the others get through tearing him limb from limb for saying life goes on without FFXI in our hand right away :sweat:*

[Janus Zeal]

That's right, life goes on...butlife would seem so much better with a NA copy of FFXI in my hands right now :biggrin: . So I just hope they get that Public Beta for everyone (or almost, or at least all of FFXI Online's forums members hehe) to enjoy the game before its official release. To have official statements about this would make us speculate less about hearsay though...

[Fox Excalibur]

hey hey hey now, i didnt say it wont be ^^; i said i think it MIGHT not be

At first i would say i was majority thinking it wouldnt be, but now im more 50/50

EDIT: ack before someone calls me on it, in one of my first couple posts i think i did say i think it wont be. But like i said, im more like 50/50 now

[AikenIdin]

Side note: I wasn't really calling Fox a noob, and I'm certainly not a hardened beta veteran. I hope for open beta testing like everyone else, it would be great to get some actual playing done on the game instead of just reading about it and looking at screenshots, but if it isn't open beta then I won't be heart broken. Wind Waker is doing a nice job of keeping me busy for the time being :thumbsup:. Gotta love those cel shaded graphics.

[Teknoman]

Originally posted by AikenIdin
Side note: I wasn't really calling Fox a noob, and I'm certainly not a hardened beta veteran. I hope for open beta testing like everyone else, it would be great to get some actual playing done on the game instead of just reading about it and looking at screenshots, but if it isn't open beta then I won't be heart broken. Wind Waker is doing a nice job of keeping me busy for the time being :thumbsup:. Gotta love those cel shaded graphics.
Yup wind waker is great! oh yeah and did ya know that the next Dragon warrior/Dragon quest is gonna be cell shaded:thumbsup:
Now thats gonna be cool. And Unlimited saga is like watercolorized.

[ChronoMoose]

ok, let's not spam too much now :p

...I was just admiring square-enix's new homepage... I hope they make the NA site as content full as the Japanese site is. *stares at the public beta "coming soon" icon*

[Chase]

That is True The comming Soon icon means it hasn't begun yet therefor eliminating the thought that the current beta going on now is what they are refering to

[SSGohan44]

There's only one thing i can say to describe this new news. : ;) ... WOWOWOWWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWWO OWOWOWOWOWOWWOOWOWWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWW OWOWOWOOWOWWOWOWOWOwowowowowoo ..ooowowo... owowow *cough cough* oo.. ooo........ *dead*

[Balgas]

Is there a beta testing rule book stating that there are specific stages that a game MUST go through???

My opinion is that when scare enix says "Public beta" it means "Beta open to the public".

I don't see why they would try to decieve their loyal patrons. ^_^ I think you are all just thinking about it way too much and we should take it as it comes, when anything on the website changes, then we'll know for sure, as for me, I'll stay optomistic thanks! :biggrin:

[Dwimordene]

First of all I want to say, Janus, I apologize. It was stupid of me to forget Canada.. you guys rock, you let me drink before the legal age here in the U.S. LOL. :thumbsup:

I decided not to read ALL the posts after my last one, but YES FOX I did read your post. And SECONDLY, stop flaming each other over this! I hate seeing everyone fight for no reason. It's very immature. We all love each other, remember? ;)

And Fox, PUBLIC BETA means PUBLIC BETA. That means it is "open for everyone to apply". They may not let everyone beta the game (due to the demand), but I'm sure there will be a lot of people accepted. Look up the word PUBLIC in your dictionary.

The CLOSED Beta has ended. It was invitation by email to people registered on PlayOnline and have a Network Adaptor. Not everyone could apply, it was INVITE ONLY. PlayOnline and Square-Enix never posted a single thing about an open beta on their website till now. I check their site often.

If people choose not to believe me, fine, but I will NOT TOLERATE people calling each other stupid for no reason on this board. If it continues I will choose not to visit this forum anymore. If you were a Majestic member and did so on our forum OR were reported to our leader for doing so on this board, you would be banned. Period. We follow a code of honor, so it pains me to see future players treat each other like this. :(

[IleDeusMorpheus]

Originally posted by penpen
*wonders why every thread like this turns into a big flame*

Yeah, everything around here seems to be really flammable lately ... it's like the cliimate has become really tense nowadays. Maybe all the waiting for FFXI is finally making us all lose our minds? :spin:

/bows to Dwim ... /applauds

Well said ... can't we just take 'public beta' at face value and wait patiently?

[Bishop]

somehow I doubt that the closed beta has even started or ever will start. I've seen news on big gaming websites where they say beta for ffxi will start in two months. This news was about a month old and stuff. Not only that, I've never seen visual conformation that ffxi closed beta has started in the US. If the closed beta was really sent out and being tested, how come I don't see any boxart shots or screenshots? What I think is that square is skipping the closed beta, and instead, speeding it up by starting with an open beta stress test. This is just what I think, so don't flame me. Besides, ffxi has already been beta tested for like half a year in Japan, so beta testing a game that has already been tested seems redundant. Plus North American gamers are getting impaitient with the release of ffxi in NA. Square has never set a release date or barely released any info on how the NA version is coming along. Not even screenshots of the NA version! So in order to speed the release date of the NA version, they might just skip the whole closed beta, and go straight to an open beta to provide a stress test on NA servers.

This may actually be true too! Think about it, the news of a closed beta test was only a couple weeks ago. I don't think it's even been a month old yet. Ya think all those steps for a closed beta really lasts for only about a month? And have u ever seen visual confromation of a person that is currently playing ffxi closed beta? And if I'm wrong, don't kill me.

[CrysDark]

Holly Jebus!! If I would of known starting a topic like this would of incitied so mucn Animosity...:spin:

Fox you make a few valid points, and I see from your posts in this thread that you would look forward to a Beta, but you may want to rethink the way you state your cases, as I went through your posts I did sense a definite negative conotation that would most likley put people off.

(I'm not even going to talk about the EQOA beta, what a Joke that was, they didn't listen to a thing we said, they should of just called it a stress test, at least Square Antied up and said that any comments unrelated to connectivity issues would be ignored ((See Reze's Beta Thred.)))

So to the topic at hand.

First, the "Connectivity Test" (Not going to call it a beta anymore beacuse it doesn't really fall under what would "NORMALLY" be termed as a Beta test, the biggest of which Beta Test, are Testing Unfinished programs and the Connectivity Test, is testing a complete work.)

Anyways the way Square handled there selection for thier Connectivity test is how most companies select People for thier "CLOSED" Beta, that being Invitation amoung your pool of interested consumers (For Square that happened to be thier PlayOnline Members, for most companies, the pool of interested consumers are typically the most active member on Message Boards, or in Chatrooms.) (Once agian this is speaking from experiance but is subject to change.)

So what it seems to ME is that when Square-Enix posts a comming soon for a Public Beta, what I would ascertain from that is a standard public beta where they post an online app, and select participants.


Now for the logisitical Anamolies that have been pointed out.

Distrobustion of Beta Discs: Square-Enix is a company that mass produces Millions... think about that for a minute... MILLIONS of discs a year. The cost of 1000 Beta discs (or 4000 disc's for a PC Beta) would be negligable to them, and most likley funds are already allocated in thier beta Budget (Square was able to send out Japanese PS2's & HDD units, along with thier game, to what a reported 1000 people.)

My Stance on the issue:

I don't want a Beta. The Game is finished!! Why do we need to beta this game?? The only thing I can see is for script errors, and maybe menu usability. But the game is essentially done (When I say done, I mean as in a comercially viable product, I know that no piece of software is ever perfect.) This would just be added delay.

Hope that might put alot of these issues to bed.

[Sindinista]

It wasnt really a closed beta, because it was on the Japanese servers, so it's the same as importing, but you just gotta give a report on how your connection was.

On Topic: Dang! This sure is exciting! Today me and Bochara were talking about how much fun it would be to play in an entirely English world.

[Tifa XI]

God, you like to rant on and on, I didn't read 90% of it because, frankly, I don't have the time...so, short and sweet:


Originally posted by Fox Excalibur
[B](EDIT for Tifa!!!: Just thought i should let you know i was in EQOA beta as well, its nothing to think highly of, it wasnt much of a beta test, as beta tests go, and NOT the typical. besides, that was a beta of the game, not the full version, FFXI is completed, therefore...it would more then likely mean thats what they would have to send out, i dont know why they would cut the game up, or why they would even need to test a game thats already been tested)

Ok look, your newbieness shines through even more.
If you WERE in the EQOA beta test then it was probably the only one you were ever in. Just because a MMORPG is made in Japan doesn't mean that it's all completed and ready to go in other countries. Look at Everquest, they just started beta testing of Everquest on their new international server, and EQ has been "COMPLETED" and "DONE" for years. A LOT of things can and do change/break in changing the language/region of a game, especially a game as huge and complex as an MMORPG.

P.S. Geniuses, I highly doubt Square would put a big "PUBLIC BETA COMING SOON" button on the front page of their new english site if it wasn't going to be a PUBLIC BETA.

P.P.S. People arguing about a difference in the words "PUBLIC OPEN BETA" and "PUBLIC CLOSED BETA" are pretty misinformed. EQOA's "Public" beta was a "closed" beta, and it still had 2,000 people get in...which is a hell of a lot. The only difference between closed and open public betas is that anyone can't just download/request a CD of the game whenever they want on a closed beta...you have to fill out an application and be accepted.

This whole thread is very moronic. It makes me sad that it even exists and that there is even an argument about it. Why don't we argue about what color the sky is, because it's a lot less stupid than this.

[Fox Excalibur]

Originally posted by Dwimordene
I decided not to read ALL the posts after my last one, but YES FOX I did read your post. And SECONDLY, stop flaming each other over this! I hate seeing everyone fight for no reason. It's very immature. We all love each other, remember? ;)

And Fox, PUBLIC BETA means PUBLIC BETA. That means it is "open for everyone to apply". They may not let everyone beta the game (due to the demand), but I'm sure there will be a lot of people accepted. Look up the word PUBLIC in your dictionary.


*sigh* thats rather insulting, because if you did read all the posts, you would see i agree comepletely on that....

The fact you say it in that manner without even taking the time to read the post to see i stated the same thing myself about 3 times....its about the same as flaming.


And im sorry CrysDark if i sound negative in these posts it was never the intention. In fact i tried being as nice as possible when starting out, but i became very offended at the way people were handeling what i said, the lack of respect is horrible. I am sure that effected my writing adversly, I apologize again if I came off that way, I am not a negative person.


And Tifa, I have been in other beta tests. By completed i only meant the game itself is done, the version just needs translating. And the "Public Beta, coming soon" thing is on a brand new site, and coming soon is in a much smaller font, if it was most advertising a "public beta coming soon" coming soon would be in the larger font or at least the same size. Being a small font it tends to make it seem its a Public Beta page to keep us informed, and the like. Also its right next to an official FFXI site "coming soon" as well, in the same format, tends to make it look this way. Its all hearsay though, I dont read Square's mind, and i dont pretend to.


I am sorry if i offended anyone, i had all intentions of only trying to figure things out with you all. You have to realize the heat you feel when backed into a corner being flamed by everyone for simply stating some points to try to find something out...

*sigh*....just....*sigh*

*goes off to cry in his corner*

[CrysDark]

I wasn't directly attacking you Fox, just advice for the future, don't let this Board get you down, there is nothing wrong with a lively discussion, espeically with someone intelligent as I think that you are.

Tifa, why are you carrying a negative attitude about this? If you don't like it don't post, if you have a comment then post it with resoanble evidence to back it in a civil way, no need for name calling and such. You seem to also be an intelligent individual. Constructive criticism always leads to healthier debates. And alot more friends:) :)

[Fox Excalibur]

I knew you werent attacking CrysDark you kept it fair and simple looking at both sides. :) I appreciate the compliment.
I myself was trying to look at it from both sides as well, but everyone seemed to want to make me a bad guy, and I had to start defending something so we could try to understand it a little better, Ill play devils advocate if it helps solve something. Anyway, everything i said ended up getting taken pretty much in ways i didnt mean them to. I just hope you can all look on me with kind eyes, I was only trying to find a way to figure out the technical aspects of a simple issue.

[Dwimordene]

*is totally finished with this thread and hopes a mod deletes it*

[Lady Kelenae]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:


ok......

[Dwimordene]

Sorry Kelenae, I didn't mean to be so harsh. I'm just tired of all the tensions running high and people arguing about nothing inparticular. Ok, now I'm finished.

[dty5731]

Originally posted by penpen
actually the current beta is not public. there was no sign up page or anything, just a random selection of playonline users.

:confused: how could it be random selection of POL Users (u mean the USA pol site right?) :sweat:

[puhfyn]

ragnorak and other betas were open to the public because they were downloads to PC. I dont think square is going to send a $150.00 gift (if not returned) of HDD, network adaptor, and FFXI to a million people who just sign up and put their names and adresses on the site. Call me stupid if you want, but I think a certain few will be selected. (unless it is a download of the PC version of ffxi, which it probably wont be.)

[Janus Zeal]

Well if it would be a beta it would be an incomplete version and unplayable once the real one comes out (account deleted or reset by their servers). We can only wait and see what will happen...

[FFMEGAMAN]

ok megaman, you make a COMPELLING arguement we havent stated yet before, i give you the award for most original.

I would like to thankyou everyone who have helped me won this award, especially to my mon and my dad, oh thankyou all so much.

[Fox Excalibur]

lol, well im glad you took that so lightly megaman, i was being a jerk ><

Anyway, i hope that no one is mad at me for my posts. I dont think the topic should be deleted, but i think we should try to keep it on track now, i think i took it far enough off of its main focus.

I want to apologize mostly to Kalanea and Dwimordene. I hope it didnt seem like i was lashing out at either of you.

And I will be very happy if it turns out a new more public beta is planned then what is out now. My original post was just to suggest it might be the current closed (yet using the public) beta. I do see the more likely possibility of another beta phase open to more people now, and i truely hope thats what happend :)

Again im sorry to anyone i may have offended.

[CrysDark]

*Extra!! Extra!! Read all About it!**



-Square Enix U.S.A. mentioned that they will soon begin the beta test of the PS2 MMORPG Final Fantasy XI in North America.
[source: www.the-magicbox.com]

Now bring on the six pages of debate on wether or not this is the connectivity test LOL!

[Fox Excalibur]

Lol! well i wont be the one to start it then (I learned my lesson). Ill just say i hope its what it says :thumbsup:

[JoeMamma]

yo fox, i appreciate your views man. You provide good information for "noobs" like me. Dont worry about any personal attacks or whether people like you or not, you present your ideas the way they should be: clear and without belligerence.
Just wanted to let you know your actually being helpful to someone out there.

[Dwimordene]

OK Fox, I'd like to apologize too. You are an intelligent person and tried to make a valid argument about your views. Kudos to you. I can be stubborn as a bull when it comes to my views, so I guess it means we are on the same level. Maybe even similar. LOL. So here's to being friends!

Even so, we get a public beta now right? So everyone be happy! :thumbsup:

[Fox Excalibur]

yay!!!!! :biggrin: I feel so loved

[Lady Kelenae]

Yea.. i'm sorry too Fox.. I was in a bad mood that day and took it out on you ^_^;; sorry about that..

[Fox Excalibur]

Dont worry about it, you two were both civil. Im just glad your not mad at me :)

[ChronoMoose]

-Square Enix U.S.A. mentioned that they will soon begin the beta test of the PS2 MMORPG Final Fantasy XI in North America.
[source: www.the-magicbox.com] I'll bet that's a reference to the "public beta" on Square-Enix's site.
:spin:

[Terikan]

don't confuse the word public with the word open. A public beta doesn't mean everyone can just get in. An open beta usually does, but even then sometimes that just means it is opened to the public on a 'selective' basis vs. just having people from the QA team.

So the current connectivity beta is PROBABLY the 'public' beta, as people from the general public are now involved.

And Now, I'd just like to take the time to convey how much I am dissapointed in sony and square. !$^%# YOU SONY AND SQUARE!!!!

[o0_paladinz_0o]

i'm just glad its gonna get release mwahahahaaaaa!!
i hope i beta test, i beta tested everquest online adventures for phases II and III
it was so cool

[balbanebeoulve]

I know this is off-topic but how do some of you guys beta-test for so many companies? Is there a place to register? I mean...that would be fun....

[FFMEGAMAN]

must beta test, if not must kamakazzi AHHHHH!!!!!:dead:

[Macht]

Well I've seen different way a person is choosen to beta test. Some are were they'll actually see what the extent of your skill is with electronics and programing. Others like the more public ones usually if you've provided your information to them, not certain how square-enix did it (I'm guessing they probably pooled the people registered on their Playonline.com and any who sent back that registration card when they bought as Square-Enix product and picked randomly from it). There are many different ways people are choosen to beta test, basically if you want to beta test you'll have to find something you want to try and beta and do some studying to find out how that company is choosing who beta tests.

[FFMEGAMAN]

ya know, since the closed beta is for the connection test on the JP version. So ya think that the public beta might be played on the NA version, to see if the is anything messed up in the translation of english, or something that might've been screwed up in the NA version somehow? If it is on the NA version, we might have to wait awhile hehe.

[Macht]

Well if it's going to be a Public Beta Test for NA then most likely they are going to use the NA version, for all the testing so they can find out all the problems that could possibly exist in it and handle them.

[Janus Zeal]

I agree with Macht about what will be the use of the Public Beta (for NA version) and I sure hope I'll be able to participate in it. *crosses fingers and toes*

[MHouser]

the only problem that I can see as of rite now is that we all that is is going to be a public beta...but we don't know if it is just going to be PC only, Ps2 only, or both...I guess I am stuck waiting another two months till E3 then we all will get to see what Square Enix is doing...

[Macht]

Well I'm very certain the beta test will be on PS2 that's a given considering it can possibly have more problems on the development end that'll need to be fixed.

If it's going be done for PC at that time as well or at all I don't know, would be instresting to see if it is.

[FFMEGAMAN]

must beta test erghhh must must must!!!

[Fox Excalibur]

Well in Japan they did a seperate beta test for the PC version. So i would think they would be testing both in america.

[Teknoman]

I just hope i get accepted in the Beta test. I hope its for Ps2, but i'd be ok if it was for PC, cuz i got a pretty good PC, but i wonder how the controls would be... Anyways, i really do hope its for PS2 though.

[Pai Pai Master]

I'm guessing that they'd do the beta for both PC and PS2. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe there may be bugs on the PS2 version that may not appear on the PC version, and vice versa.

Also, with the connectivity test, the testers will send back the hardware and game. I'm guessing they'll do that too, send out the HDDs and discs they use in their studio or whatever and have us send them back. :confused:

[Ayame]

This is sweet anyone know when it will beta test be out?Around May perhaps ?

[balbanebeoulve]

I'm guessing you didn't read the first page, huh? It said that it's open beta test meaning it won't be for everyone.

[puhfyn]

sorry this has nothing to do with topic but man Balbanes Beoulve is a cool guy and FFT is the sweetest game ever.

[Korjiro]

i second that!

but back to the topic.....


:)

ok. this is what i plan to do, i will check DAILY for the opening of beta in the square enix site. now, i never registered any ff games or anything, but i bought almost everyone. if i sign up when it opens are my chances as good as the shmoe next to me who has registered almost all his games?

if anyone has any experience in beta testing....


what is the "standard" criteria they look for in testers?



ok thats about all my question is thanks guys!

[Teknoman]

Well one way to help out is to register at the Playonline message boards, and send off ANY Squaresoft registration card you can find.

[sagitta85]

If you have all of the required equipment and that you are determined to fullfill your duty as a beta tester. That means don't just play the game. You have to give your thoughts about what is wrong and such.

[Korjiro]

If you have all of the required equipment and that you are determined to fullfill your duty as a beta tester.

u mean like the network adapter?

i deticated a whole T1 connection to my ps2 lol :)

the hdd isnt in stores yet, but just for kicks i hooked up a maxtor 64000 rpm hdd (80 gig) and it booted! but it failed becuase it isnt sony patented :(

ah well, is that what u meant as a connection and network adaptor or was there more to this translucent referance to "equipment"

:)

[Fox Excalibur]

woah, all the techniacasisitacality

lol well since the PS2 HDD unit isnt in america, i dont think tehy will expect anyone to have one yet :p thats why im a little skeptical of a PS2 beta, though Pai Pai is right, they PS2 version might have bugs the PC doesnt, they did a specific PC beta test when it came out in japan. So unless they plan on waiting till after the HDD arrives in America (which cant be soon unless Sony wants to suprise us) they will probably start with a PC test, and stick with the beta testers for the PS2 they already sent HDDs to, because really, if they sent more people HDDs for an american PS2...i dont know if many would return them.

But probably you will need the requirements for the PC (maybe fore the PS2 version, but i dont know how they will do that yet) and really waht they look for is...

Experiance... If you have beta tested other games before, they will most likely want to chooose you over someone else. BUT alot of times its done randomly as well (SWG) so it may not matter.