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Alpha and Beta Testing

Beta Testing FFXIV: A Realm Reborn


Phase 1 of the beta began on February 25th 2013 and acceptance e-mails were sent out from February 18th. This phase was conducted in weekend schedules lasting 4 weeks. Phase 2 of the beta began on April 5th 2013 and also lasted 4 weekends.

Phase 2 began on April 5th 2013 and the main focus of this test was the gamepad controls. This phase lasted 4 weeks.

Phase 3 of the beta began on June 14th 2013 and was the first test where the PS3 version could be played. The phase brought about the regions of Thanalan and La Noscea as well as new dungeons, more quests and the ability to import your version 1 character if you have one. Progress is not saved during phase 3.

Phase 4 of the beta is an open beta and will officially begin on August 17th 2013, with phase 3 testers given access on August 16th. The phase will last until August 19 and this will mark the end of the beta. Following on from that will be Early Access on August 23rd and release day on August 27th.

On January 7th 2013, applications for the FFXIV: A Realm Reborn beta began. You can submit an application at either the North American or European beta websites depending on your location. There are a few things to note however:
  • Legacy members need only apply if you want to test the PS3 version. Automatic entry will be given for the PC version.
  • Players who applied for the FFXIV V1 beta test on the PS3 (which never took place) and were selected for the PC beta instead do not need to re-apply for the PS3 beta. However you will have to apply for the PC beta if you wish to test that version instead.
  • Players who applied for the FFXIV: A Realm Reborn alpha test do not need to re-apply. If you took part in the alpha then this does not guarantee you automatic entry to the beta. You will have to re-apply if you are interested in the PS3 beta.
  • Check out our FXIV: ARR System Requirements page to see if your machine is capable of running the beta.
On December 26th 2012 Square Enix announced the beta test schedule, detailing everything you could want to know about Beta testing FFXIV: A Realm Reborn.

FFXIV: A Realm Reborn Beta Test Schedule

The above is a screenshot from the roadmap PDF that can be found here. The main things to note from the PDF are that:

  • Beta testing will begin in the middle of February 2013.
  • FFXIV Legacy Members will receive a free pass into beta phase 1.
  • FFXIV Account holders will receive a free pass into beta phase 3.
  • Beta phase 4 is an open beta.
  • Those who do not qualify for automatic entry may be selected at random during any phase after submitting an application.
  • PS3 Beta testing will begin at phase 3.
  • Players with a Square Enix members code that came bundled with Final Fantasy XIII will be given priority to the PS3 beta.
  • The beta testing application website will open in January 2013.
  • Best case scenario the beta lasts 8 weeks, worst case scenario (with no major delays) it lasts 18 weeks. This puts a release date somewhere between mid-April and July 2013.

Phase 1


Phase 1 of the beta begins in mid-February 2012 and will last 2-4 weeks. The purpose of this test is for core systems rebalancing and this includes testing part of the main scenario, sidequests, class quests, FATE (Full Active Time Event), behests, dungeons, cutscenes, hunting logs, player search, markets and item search, and full damage testing. There will be 5-10 worlds available and players can select from all races and genders. A level cap of 35 will be in place.

Phase 2


Phase 2 begins 1-2 weeks after phase 1 ends and will last 1-3 weeks. The purpose of this test is for gamepad controls. However there will be more content to test too such as the Grand Companies, private chocobos, more quests and more FATE events. There will be an extra 5 worlds available for this test.

Phase 3


Phase 3 begins 1-2 weeks after phase 1 ends and will last 1-3 weeks. The purpose of this test is for version 1.0 character import testing, which means players will be able to use their V1 character. This will also be the first time in the beta that players are able to visit Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah and their surrounding areas. Free companies will be added along with limit breaks and materia crafting. On the system side this will be the first time data centers are available outside Japan. There will be over 20 worlds available and the level cap may be increased from 35 to 50.

Phase 4


Phase 4 is an open beta and begins 1-2 weeks after phase 1 ends. This will last 1-2 weeks and anyone will be able to play. Characters created during this phase will carry over to the official launch unless there is a major bug. Content added in this phase include the duty finder, level sync, housing system stress testing and the PvP coliseum. Early access between the open beta and the official launch may be offered and version 1.0 account holders will be allowed to download the retail client for A Realm Reborn for free.



Alpha Testing FFXIV: A Realm Reborn


Patch 1.23 and its letter sub patches marked the end of FFXIV V1, with the finale occuring on November 2012. Though it was not until December 31st that the servers closed down forever. Meanwhile, alpha testing of FFXIV: A Realm Reborn had begun towards the end of October in Japan with worldwide testing beginning a few weeks later. This was a bit later than planned as Yoshida originally wanted to begin alpha testing in September 2012. The alpha testing lasted until the final week of December 2012.

FFXIV V2 Banner

The purpose of the alpha test phase was to stress test the servers. Basically Square Enix wanted to know how the servers perform under heavy loads. The goal is to successfully support up to 1000 characters, NPCs and monsters in a single zone. The alpha contained very little content because this was not the purpose of the testing, and players were restricted to the Gridania and Black Shroud areas with a level cap of 20. The testing was originally scheduled for a few hours per day, a few days per week on one server until it eventually ran 24/7 across three servers.


Alpha and Beta Testing of FFXIV V1


On December 16th 2009, Square Enix started taking applications for the beta. Applications were for both the PC and PS3 versions but only the PC version was going to be tested. Early participants were given a beta key and access to the alpha test. The alpha phase of the testing was conducted in small groups participating in 3-4 hour tests to see how the game performed. Alpha testing for the original version finished around the end of June 2010, with beta testing beginning in early July.

The beta testing involved holding weekly 24 hour tests to help stabilise the servers. The third phase of the beta started on August 11th 2010 and was the final phase of the closed beta. After this an open beta took place, with very little changing between this and the game's release. The deadline for closed beta applications was August 16th 2010. With September 2010 came the open beta, where anyone could sign up, get a beta key and play.

The beta stage was originally estimated to last around six months, but with the game announced as a September 22nd/30th 2010 release date it seemed the game was either rushed out the door or this estimate included the alpha. We think it was a combination of both due to the problems encountered after the game's launch.

The PS3 version was delayed in a big announcement on December 12th which also announced a change in the development team and a further free trial extention. The game remained free to play until January 6th 2012, with still no signs of a PS3 beta. The PS3 beta will eventually take place for V2 of FFXIV, while V1 will never see a release on the console. After this came the beta, where the plan was to hold weekly 24 hour tests after stabilising the servers.

Comments


The following comments are from our legacy commenting system.

Xenor
 Aug 10, 2013 - 07:27:35 | Location: Durham, United Kingdom

Yeah it's best to look on the bright side, the release day is only 17 days away! The roadmap has been way inaccurate ever since phase 2 ended.
 
Anonymous
 Aug 10, 2013 - 03:50:14 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Sad the game was so delayed phase 4 will last only 3 days an early access is just a few days before launch. Oh well still excited the game comes out in a little over a week!
 
Anonymous
 Jul 02, 2013 - 17:38:46 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

If you read the scheduale its only open during weekends its not for you to try it out to see if it will replace crapy WoW for you, its "beta" look up the word.
 
Anonymous
 Jul 02, 2013 - 08:56:34 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

when is the next time the beta test will begin? i recently got the beta code for the ps3 so i do not know anything of this beta.

 
Anonymous
 Jul 02, 2013 - 03:31:39 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

It's set for August 27th, but just like other games, they may delay if there are still kinks. So far it looks pretty solid to me.
 
Anonymous
 Jul 01, 2013 - 23:13:21 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

I just really need to know if there is a solid date for me to be able to play this game. I'm very anxious to give it a try
 
Anonymous
 Jul 01, 2013 - 04:14:54 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

I just got the beta invite yesterday and now it says the servers are in maintenance. wtf, I want to play this game, and this seriously determines if I'm going to replace wow with this. get it together SE.

__________________________________________________
This is a beta. SE is letting us test the game for them to see if there is anything they need to fix before release. This is not a free trial to see if you like it. SE is getting it together by doing this, especially after how things went last time they released FFXIV. Most betas are run like this, and sometimes limit how much you can do in order to test specific things.
 
Anonymous
 Jul 01, 2013 - 00:57:05 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

the ps3 game is beatiful! love it. can wait for the full game.
 
Anonymous
 Jul 01, 2013 - 00:33:33 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

I've played in the closed Beta using my PS3 just last night. 6-29-13. I reached upto lvl 10.. it was a bit confusing using the L2-R2 to trigger the hotbar.. but I got used to it already. cant wait for the launch.. Im already looking for a Ps3 Keyboard just for chatting purposes. I was given both PC and PS3 registration/promotional codes. but I played it all night using PS3. loving it.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 27, 2013 - 21:23:14 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Yes, they have a few dungeons to complete after killing Ifrit, but as to content of the game not much past ifrit unless you want to do a bunch of side questing. There are NPC's to talk with and the post is on reddit for which npc for what class, but these npc's will auto boost an alternate character to lvl 15 from 1. These NPC"s are found in every major city and will only be here for beta so if ask after launch you're a goober. There is also a NPC that will boost you from 26 to 29 in the major city, but that is all I have found thus far for beta level boosting.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 26, 2013 - 00:27:20 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Is there anything else to do after the ifrit story in beta testing phase 3
 
Anonymous
 Jun 25, 2013 - 00:27:56 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Testing for phase 3 ONLY TAKES PLACE ON THE WEEKENDS. Fridays 4:05am CST - Sundays 4:05am CST. You cannot play in between these times because they are fixing problems they've found to improve the game. Nothing from phase 1,2, or 3 will be carried over but, in phase 3 you keep your level and progress during the testing phase. However, phase 4 characters AND progress will carry over to the official release. They have pushed back the date on the Special Edition for PS3 that I know of because of PS4's launch on xmas. Let them take their time on this so it will be a solid game. It already runs like a champ on the PS3, but there are still a few things that need tested and tweaked. Lvl. 16 Thaumaturge/lvl.5 Miner/lvl. 5 Alchemist. Testing continues this Friday @4:05am cst (3:05am PDT). Beta Forums: http://forum.square-enix.com/ARR-Test/forums/157-English-Forums . Hope this helps.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 24, 2013 - 00:50:22 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Do you guys have the official forum link? i would like to read up on the beta
 
Anonymous
 Jun 20, 2013 - 19:30:53 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

they reset all the data after every maintenance, in stage 1 and 2. so you start at level 1 every weekend. not sure about stage 3 just a heads up. and no. non of the data carries over to retail.

 
Anonymous
 Jun 20, 2013 - 19:26:21 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

for those that are too lazy to read all the information on the forums....
Beta servers are only up during weekends (japanese time)
servers go up friday 3-4am PST till sunday 3-4am PST.

for those people too lazy to read but have the energy to QQ.

happy huntings
 
Anonymous
 Jun 20, 2013 - 01:17:12 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Ldoes anyone have any clue if our characters will be usable when the actual game comes out ?
 
Anonymous
 Jun 19, 2013 - 07:57:28 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

do you guys know when the Phase 3 Part 2 will start?
 
Anonymous
 Jun 18, 2013 - 08:29:14 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

"is this a joke?
i ordered xiv special edition's first release
bought ffxiii for ps3
and have realm reborn's special edition on pre-order
received a beta key for rr, input it and it now says the service isn't available
yet they won't tell me how to download anything
fuck you square
i paid and played for 6 years on xi and this is how you treat me?"

-----------------------

I laughed so much. Dude, the part 1 of phase 3 ended this Sunday. Because you paid so much for them doesn't mean they'll have a special server opened just for you outside the beta-testing phases. Plus, i don't think they trat their customer on a "how much they paid" basis. Everybody's waiting for the second part of phase 3 to start, which will most likely be this weekend.

You've got your beta key, wich means you can access the beta forums... Just go there and READ what staff members say about it.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 18, 2013 - 06:07:20 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

I just got the beta invite yesterday and now it says the servers are in maintenance. wtf, I want to play this game, and this seriously determines if I'm going to replace wow with this. get it together SE.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 18, 2013 - 03:26:02 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

is this a joke?
i ordered xiv special edition's first release
bought ffxiii for ps3
and have realm reborn's special edition on pre-order
received a beta key for rr, input it and it now says the service isn't available
yet they won't tell me how to download anything
fuck you square
i paid and played for 6 years on xi and this is how you treat me?
 
Anonymous
 Jun 17, 2013 - 15:54:24 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

when will the worlds be active again just downloaded it last night and wont let me log in.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 17, 2013 - 05:13:11 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Phase 3 part 1 is over. Part 2 Will be next and should have the V1 characters. I was kinda pissed because I installed it last night and fell asleep during the update. When I woke up it was over.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 17, 2013 - 03:31:09 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Is it just me, or is the beta for phase 3 already over? I haven't been able to log in for the past 18 hours, and it only started 2 days ago...
 
Anonymous
 Jun 16, 2013 - 18:36:51 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Great game, loved it.. I do think they need to have more skills for combat though
 
Anonymous
 Jun 16, 2013 - 18:01:41 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

Game was great! Only glitched one mission but the community was awesome about it. They actually formed a line so that we could enter an instance. GM overlooked it all, lol. First for me. But the graphics content, classes, and (when you get it) ability to dye your gear was a nice touch. All in all, can't wait to play some more! Gimme my smack bird, lol.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 16, 2013 - 17:09:29 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

All F2P MMOs are not alike - some are very good, while others are not so much. P2P MMOs really have to step up their game now, in order to justify the purchase price and monthly fee, and compete with F2P+micros.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 16, 2013 - 16:48:32 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

just been in the phase 3 beta, its awesome. Like seriously good, so much content, its fun, difficult, looks great. F2P mmos are honestly rubbish, communities are worse, and the end game is non existent.
 
Anonymous
 Jun 16, 2013 - 09:52:14 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

I wanna love this game but making is P2P was a big mistake imo, not many P2P games are doing well in are times, and due to its history i think that making this P2P could hurt it, and alot too. that being said id pay any amout of money to play lol.

 
Anonymous
 Jun 05, 2013 - 11:32:41 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

p
 
Anonymous
 Feb 10, 2013 - 04:54:05 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

I hope this one goes better then the last. I love XI and I'd love to love the new XIV
 
Anonymous
 Jan 06, 2013 - 18:15:47 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

The phase descriptions need a little fixing. It should say "Phase 3 begins 1-2 weeks after Phase 2 ends" and "Phase 4 begins 1-2 weeks after Phase 3 ends". But, otherwise, I'm damn excited for A Realm Reborn!
 
Anonymous
 Dec 17, 2009 - 02:25:46 | Location: Nowhere, In a Box

I want to test the new ff game.