FFXIV: catch all

The Conformist wrote:

So anyone, even those new to the experience can join a Legacy server however, they will be playing with people who have already been playing the game for years

How long has the beta been going on??

Stric9 wrote:

I'm confused by the whole legacy thing. Isn't the entire character leveling system different? I don't plan on using my old characters at all. Granted my highest one is like level 28 but still.

"Legacy" status is basically given to those who paid and played the game for up to I believe, 6 months prior to version "1.0" shutting down. For those who don't know version "1.0" was the original Final Fantasy XIV that was released at the end of 2010. The game pretty much tanked, the crew and lead stepped down, and they brought in a new guy to fix everything up. Over the course of about a little over a year? They have been working hard to make little changes to the game to lead up to the point of actually re-releasing the game under the new title "Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn" or "Version 2.0". Those who stuck around version 1.0 and paid for their service will be rewarded with a "Legacy" title, and other in-game items.

And the leveling system is a little different, points are handled differently and everything is explained quite well actually on how to allocate those point (As long as you read the in-game help pop-ups). Speaking of that, as opposed to the original version this new version does a pretty darn good job in showing you all your skills, how do do certain actions, and what quests you can take throughout the game.

sometimesdee wrote:
The Conformist wrote:

So anyone, even those new to the experience can join a Legacy server however, they will be playing with people who have already been playing the game for years

How long has the beta been going on??

The Beta has been going on for quite some time I think, many many months. However the game was originally released back in 2010 (Before they decided to scrap everything and start all over) so people have had a few years to gain a few levels

Soooo...do the story quests end with the level 15 Emissary business?

SpacePPoliceman wrote:

Soooo...do the story quests end with the level 15 Emissary business?

No sir. In the beta I was able to complete around 3 missions after that (which were pretty darn cool themselves), and the story seemed to continue.

Oh and I forgot to add that if you did have a character back in version 1.0, then all that will be carried over to the new release of the game. Also in the developers notes/video they are currently working on a "Quest Finder" feature that will allow you to find groups faster for quests.

The Conformist wrote:
SpacePPoliceman wrote:

Soooo...do the story quests end with the level 15 Emissary business?

No sir. In the beta I was able to complete around 3 missions after that (which were pretty darn cool themselves), and the story seemed to continue.

Hmm, guess I better find them, then. Thanks. Any clue where to start looking in...Giradhelli? Grandia? The G-Town.

The Conformist wrote:
Stric9 wrote:

I'm confused by the whole legacy thing. Isn't the entire character leveling system different? I don't plan on using my old characters at all. Granted my highest one is like level 28 but still.

"Legacy" status is basically given to those who paid and played the game for up to I believe, 6 months prior to version "1.0" shutting down. For those who don't know version "1.0" was the original Final Fantasy XIV that was released at the end of 2010. The game pretty much tanked, the crew and lead stepped down, and they brought in a new guy to fix everything up. Over the course of about a little over a year? They have been working hard to make little changes to the game to lead up to the point of actually re-releasing the game under the new title "Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn" or "Version 2.0". Those who stuck around version 1.0 and paid for their service will be rewarded with a "Legacy" title, and other in-game items...

I get what the "Legacy" system is. I just don't understand why anyone would want to keep playing a character that is already leveled in what amounts to an entirely different game. It would be akin to letting me transfer my WoW characters to FFXIV and letting me start where they left off. You would basically skip the majority of the game.

I finally got into the beta this weekend and played quite a bit, made it to level 16 Conjurer and level 5 Botanist. It has improved by leaps and bounds from the first version and I will definitely be subscribing at release. Reminds me a lot of FFXI now which is a good thing. It does seem a lot more soloable which is nice, but I hope they retain the need to level for a lot of stuff as I really miss that in most MMOs these days. The combat is also much quicker than before and much faster than FFXI.

One concern I have is that I never spoke to one other person and was never spoken to which was odd. I suspect this is a result of the controller support which is top notch, however I am a bit worried about the controller making the world a bit too quiet. The other thing I noticed was that the PS3 version is much better for couch play than the PC. I tried it on both my HTPC and my PS3 and the PC version doesn't let you set all of the fonts to a big enough size to be readable from my couch which is about 12' from the TV.

There are lots of people that hate leveling, and are really only interested in end-game content. I don't quite get it either, but they're out there.

Having had the chance to play slightly more of this, my opinion has migrated to "pretty, competently executed, uninteresting." I may be a bit early to judge, but I've got enough other options to fill my time with that I don't feel bad about it.

So, Phase 3 beta just ended. I really like what they did with the world and all the changes. Dungeons are a really nice add; I ran the first 5 or so that folks had access to and enjoyed each of em in turn. Even the duty finder isn't all that bad, and I think if the community is consistent with how it was in FFXI, I think it has a chance to work, doubly so if they enable some sort of cross realm grouping and friends list.

The one thing I question though is leveling once you've gotten a job through the story and area quests; I don't know that there's enough of that for more than 2-3 different jobs, and heaven help you if you need to go back through an area, even though fates and leves aren't too bad for leveling on, doubly so if you have a group.

AnimeJ wrote:

So, Phase 3 beta just ended. I really like what they did with the world and all the changes. Dungeons are a really nice add; I ran the first 5 or so that folks had access to and enjoyed each of em in turn. Even the duty finder isn't all that bad, and I think if the community is consistent with how it was in FFXI, I think it has a chance to work, doubly so if they enable some sort of cross realm grouping and friends list.

The one thing I question though is leveling once you've gotten a job through the story and area quests; I don't know that there's enough of that for more than 2-3 different jobs, and heaven help you if you need to go back through an area, even though fates and leves aren't too bad for leveling on, doubly so if you have a group.

Any more specific info on how the duty finder actually works?

Sure. It's a carbon copy of the dungeon finder in any other MMO. Open it up, pick the dungeons or trials you're interested in, and join the queue. Depending on what class or job you're currently doing, you'll spend some amount of time and then get dropped into the dungeon or trial with your group. In the event that there's a cutscene, folks who skip it get stuck at the entrance until everyone has cleared it.

As for trials(because I get the feeling that question is coming next), they're similar to scenarios in WoW now; smaller scope group content. The one available to us in the beta was part of the main story.

Will I be able to play this game on my own or will I need a party? My internet connection isn't really the best, but I'd like to play this.

Much like FFXI, it's really strongly group driven, from around level 15 onward. You can level solo by doing leves and such, but without being able to run dungeons, you won't be able to advance the story at all.

Recap of live letter

Open Beta - Aug 17 to 19 (starts 16th if you were in phase 3)

Early Access for preorders - Aug 24 to 26 (registration opens on Aug 17th to apply codes)

Launch - August 27

I went ahead and preordered the PS3 version from Amazon (they're giving $10 credits on a lot of versions, mind). More than likely I'll be playing on Hyperion, as that's where my old Linkshell buddies seem to be planning to congregate. I'm a little bummed that it'll be a "legacy" server, but eh.

If I bought the old version for the PC do i need to rebuy the new one or when it launches can I just reactivate my sub and download?

You should be able to reactivate. You're also eligible for no subscription payments through September 9th I believe (for buying the game originally and subbing).

One more question. I played a while back in the PS3 beta and saw my toon listed from 1.0 on the pc though i couldnt log in as him. Does me that there is or will be cross play? If i own both versions will i be able to play on the ps3, log off, log into my pc and keep playing?

That would be amazing.

Anyone know if you can update the Beta3 client, or do you have to remove Beta3 and re-download the new client?

Cobble, yes the game supports cross play and you can log in your same character from both PC and PS3, since both platforms use the same servers.

And Propagandalf, you need to re-download the client for this Open Beta, the Beta 3 one should be uninstalled.

"So excite! So excite!"

By the way, after getting the new client launcher/updater, you can now get with downloading the new client. All 7+ gigs of it.

edit: Patch notes here

I just bought this... IDK why, but I will be starting at re-launch... where is everyone?

Im doing something a bit unusual (at least for me) I'm passing on this. It's definitely improved over the previous launch and seems to have potential, but there's so many other games that i want to play more that are about to launch and i dont see the point in paying out the money for it.

Cheeto1016 wrote:

I just bought this... IDK why, but I will be starting at re-launch... where is everyone?

It sounds like we're a bit scattered among the different servers. I'll personally be playing on Balmung (I think that's how it's spelled) along with some local friends.

I'm playing with the Grievance guild on the Midgardsormr server.

I have been playing some in this weekends final beta and I have to admit I really like it. Its vastly improved over the game I purchased a long time ago.

I think I am going to grab the collectors edition off of psn. I am hoping this will get me the collectors edition items and then since I already own the 1.0 pc version on my service account I can add the PS3 and then just jump between the 2 as I feel like. I assume its the same sub and i dont need to sub for each, that would be lame. I should research that before i pick up the ps3 one

Seems they opened up the beta to anyone that registers. This stuff will be carrying over to the live retail game, and levels are capped at 20. Good opportunity to get some of the basic classes to that level.

I'm finally on Hyperion, to play with my old FFXI pals. They had limited character creation there for most of yesterday.

I bought the collectors edition on the ps3 and downloaded it but can't figure out how to register. Upon launch I get an error message after it updates the client. I think my PS3 account is linked already though from when i played beta 3. I had to delete that client though. The error I get is something about login in on the top level screen or something but the only way out is to restart my ps3.

EDIT : I figured it out. There is a separate open beta client you need to download with the code.

I am also on the Midgard server. I will have to join grievance. I played with then in neverwinter.

Going strong. I'm located on the Excalibur server. Man it sucks that we're all so spread out! Bah!

I'm going to be on the Gilgamesh server with some old friends from FFXI. It does suck that we're so spread out, but I'm not sure that I'll be in this game for very long anyway. Based on my beta experience, it seems like a one to three month MMO for me.