FFXIV Info - Fan Site and Database

Today comes a few announcements from Square Enix. There’s a new Final Fantasy XIV trailer, information on the open beta and information on transferring your character name from the open beta to the retail version of the game.

New FFXIV Trailer

The trailer shows many scenes from the opening movies of Limsa Lominsa, Gridania and Ul’dah as well as scenes from elsewhere. There is even some battle footage towards the end. The game’s theme song that we mentioned last night called “Answers” can be heard in the first part of the trailer.

The Open Beta

The open beta is scheduled to being on September 1st at 2am GMT, which is August 31st at 7pm. We were expecting it in early September but not quite this early! There is still no information about how players will gain access to the open beta but we know everyone who participated in the closed beta will be sent a code to access it.

The beta website states that during the initial stages of the test there will be a limit on the number of players allowed to be logged in at any one time. This will be gradually increased. If you attempt to login when the limit has been reached you will be placed in a waiting list.

We will let you know how to gain access to the open beta as soon as we know. It’s worth keeping an eye on the official Twitter page to find out instantly.

Transferring Character Names to Retail Version

There will be the ability to transfer your character name from the open beta to the retail version of the game. This is useful if your name is something popular like “Sephiroth Cloud” and you fear someone else may take it before you. You will be able to reserve the name on the same server that your open beta character is on. For example, if you play the open beta on Sephiroth server your name will only be transferable to the Sephiroth server in the retail version.

There is nothing to stop you creating a character with your beta name on a different server, it just won’t be reserved for you and if someone else has reserved it on that server then you will not be able to use it.

Famitsu have posted an article with some information and 35 new screenshots from the other two starter cities; Gridania and Ul’dah.

Ul’dah

Ul’dah is situated in the southern part of Eorzea and its economy is based around the mining and textile industries. The opening movie for the city begins with a dance parade involving a captured Goobbue creature. However, the Goobbue breaks loose and a battle begins. The Goobbue is defeated and you are left to roam the streets of Ul’dah.

The city is made up of modern buildings and is designed in a way that is easy to get around. The Miner and Gladiator guilds can be found in this city, with the latter being in the Coliseum.

Mole creatures can bury themselves in the ground to hide from players using an ability called Breakout and then suddenly reappear to attack you.

The article also mentions that if you head north out of Ul’dah you will end up in a rocky desert with hills, valleys and rugged terrain.

Gridania

Gridania is located in a dense forest and surrounded by greenery and water. The opening movie begins with an adventurer walking alone in the forest, where he/she meets more people. They are soon ambushed by some wolves and try to escape, but a battle is inevitable.

The city itself is vast and complex, with the Archer and magic guilds located here. Funguars and Marlboros are confirmed to appear in the region around Gridania, which is fitting with the setting. The area outside can be difficult to navigate and it is easy to get lost, almost like a maze.

Other

A new type of guildleve will be introduced in which players fight beastmen-like creatures and gain a treasure chest upon completion.

The main vocal theme for the game will be called Answers, and will be sung by Susan Calloway. This can be heard in the opening movies.

Screenshots

Some of these are similar to the Game Watch screenshots released at GamesCom last week, but it’s worth posting them all. As always, simply click on them for a larger version.

Source: Famitsu