New Road Map for FFXIV Beta Schedule

[Andromeda]

Square Enix has finally released the promised updated Road Map for fans interested in the beta. It should be noted that those with beta codes from buying FFXIII for the PS3 will still be valid and given priority to those that just sign up for the beta on the PS3 without the codes. It is good news for those wanting to try out the game, but had no idea if their codes would still be honored.

All information comes from a pdf they made available for reading. The things that they are planning on looking at for the beta are as follows.

・Level Progression Rebalancing
・Battle System Rebalancing
・Crafting/Gathering Systems Rebalancing
・User Interface Refinement
・Bug Reporting and Fixing
・Version 1.0 Character Data Import Testing
・Server Stress Testing

There are four phases the testing will go through with bug fixing periods between each.

・Phase 1: Windows PC
Core Systems Rebalancing
・Phase 2: Windows PC
Gamepad Control Adjustments
・Phase 3: Windows PC & PlayStation®3
Global Testing and Version 1.0 Character Data
Import Testing
・Phase 4: Windows PC & PlayStation®3
Open Testing

PHASE 1
・Closed beta/NDA in place
・Commences mid-February 2013
・Duration: 2–4 weeks

PHASE 2
・Closed beta/NDA in place
・Duration: 1–3 weeks

PHASE 3
・Closed beta/NDA in place
・Duration: 1–3 weeks
・PlayStation 3 beta test begins

PHASE 4
・Open beta/NDA lifted
・Duration: 1–2 weeks

A more detailed look at each phase follows.

- Phase 1 characters will be deleted at the start of phase 2.
- The data center will be located in Japan.
- Between 5 and 10 Worlds will be available.
- All races and genders will be playable.
* Certain customization options will be unavailable until phase 3.
- The level cap will be set to 35.
- Eorzea time will be implemented (morning, afternoon, evening, night, etc.)
- All Legacy status holders qualify as testers in phase 1.
- The following will be implemented for testing:
Main scenario (partial) / Sidequests / Class quests / Full Active Time Events
Hunting Log / New behest / Dungeons (up to level 35)
Opening event (excluding CG movie) / Cutscenes / Player Search
Markets / Item Search (text strings, HQ, materia, etc.) / Other
- In addition to the above, the following is also scheduled:
Fall damage testing / Alpha feedback revisions (part I)
Alpha UI feedback revisions (part I) / Graphical tweaks
Performance optimization

- Phase 2 characters will be deleted at the start of phase 3.
- The data center will be located in Japan.
- Between 10 and 15 Worlds will be available.
- All races and genders will be playable.
* Certain customization options will be unavailable until phase 3.
- The level cap will be set to 35.
- Gamepad control will be implemented.
- The following will be implemented for testing:
Grand Companies / Grand Company exchange items
Private chocobos (chocobo raising unavailable) / Additional sidequests
Additional class quests / Additional Full Active Time Events / Other
- In addition to the above, the following is also scheduled:
Gamepad control adjustments & feedback confirmation
Alpha feedback revisions (part II) / Alpha UI feedback revisions (part II)
UI optimization testing / Beta phase 1 feedback revisions
Performance optimization

- Phase 3 characters will be deleted at the start of phase 4.
- Data centers will be located in Japan and overseas.
- More than 20 Worlds will be available.
- All character customization options will be available.
- The level cap will be set to 35 or above (TBD).
- Version 1.0 characters can be used.
* In this case, the level cap will be that of the Version 1.0 character’s.
- Testing will commence on the PlayStation®3.
- All FFXIV service account holders qualify as testers in phase 3.
- The following will be implemented for testing:
Limsa Lominsa and Ul’dah leveling paths / Additional sidequests
Additional class quests / Additional Full Active Time Events / Additional dungeons
Free companies (formation and management) / Free company points / Linkshells
Limit Break / Materia crafting / Other
- In addition to the above, the following is also scheduled:
Beta phase 2 feedback revisions / Version 1.0 data migration testing
Overseas data center stress testing / Performance optimization

- Phase 4 is scheduled to be an open beta.
- The PlayStation®3 version will be available.
- Characters created during this phase will be carried over to the official release.
* Circumstance may necessitate the deletion of character data.
- More than 20 Worlds will be available.
- All character customization options will be available.
- Version 1.0 characters can be used.
- The Duty Finder (player matching feature) will be implemented.
- The Level Sync feature will be implemented.
- Stress testing will be conducted on the housing system.
- Testing will be conducted on the PvP Coliseum.
- Benefits such as early access may be offered between the open beta and official release.
- Version 1.0 service account holders will be able to download the commercial ARR client
free of charge.
* Those wishing to play on PlayStation®3 are required to purchase a copy of the game for
that system.

Source: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Beta Begins In Feb; PS3 Version To Follow | Siliconera

[Mystyrion]

Hopefully they take everything off global cool down. Battle was an improvement over 1.0, but having everything on global it just became a spamming of the same attack