Beta Testing FF XIV

[jparker1390]

Hey guys, I've never thought about it until the announcement of XIV, but how does someone actually get into the beta test? Is it a first-come, first-serve thing, or do you have to apply or something? I honestly don't know.

[mercy0001]

You have different types of "beta testing"

1) Closed beta:
If FFXIV will have a closed beta testing phase only people chosen by Square Enix will be able to test the beta version (mostly SE staff, gaming websites, and maybe SE members)

2) Open/Public beta:
I don't know if "apply" is the right word, but with most of mmorpg's you can apply/sign up/register yourself several weeks/months before the public beta starts.

I have asked a lot of this in the Square Enix members E309 Q&A so maybe we'll get more clearness when they answer the questions in a blog post in the future. Maybe you suddenly get an invitation like I got with PS Home, but I think the beta will be pc only.

[jparker1390]

do they send you the stuff for free if you are a part of the public beta, or do you have to pay?

[mercy0001]

I think it's going to be free. Aion Tower of Eternity has monthly fees, but the current beta is free for everyone. I hope the PSN demo of FFXIII will be free, because we all know how much SE wants to make money. It will be a new $3.99 demo, or Lightning's part in English from the FFACC Demo.

[Riskbreaker]

Usually a public beta is when anyone can sign up, download the client and play. The closed beta required you to apply and be chosen by SE.

do they send you the stuff for free if you are a part of the public beta, or do you have to pay?

For the Final Fantasy XI closed beta Square sent us a box with all installation CDs in them. However, most betas these days just make the client available online for download.