FFXIV Limited Collector's Edition Trailer

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:13:00 -0500

Race-Based Stat Differences...What?!

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:18:00 -0500

For those of you who listened to our first podcast (and if you haven't, stop reading this, go subscribe to the podcast, listen to both, and come back!), you know that my #1 wish for FFXIV was for there to be no differences between the races. From what I knew of the armory system it seemed like there really shouldn't be, and I was comforted.

So - imagine my surprise when I saw

Problems with Downloading?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:16:00 -0500

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Reading twitter, I found that quite a few people are having problems with even getting started, so here's a few tips that I've found :O!

Problems with Obtaining a Code

Well, its server congestion, but at least you are loading a page that matters to you!

Obtaining your Key

Open Beta Test Begins Later Today

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:54:00 -0500

According to an update on the FFXIV Beta site, the Open Beta Test will finally begin later today:

FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Will Start on Sep. 1!

We would like to take this opportunity to provide an update regarding FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test, which was announced to be postponed on Aug. 31, 2010.

Along with the completion on investigation and correction of the critical issue, we have decided to begin FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test on Sep. 1, 2010 at 19:00

Square Enix Account Update

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:09:00 -0500

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If you try to log into FFXIV (Beta), you will get an error message that your account is not active.

Don't worry! This is due to the new Square Enix Update.

Log into your Account, set up your country and agree to the new license agreement. Please be aware, that you really have to choose your own country, otherwise Square Enix might not activate your purchase of FFXIV.

Open Beta Test Postponed

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:56:00 -0500

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Two new messages from the FFXIV twitter were posted today, informing followers that the Open Beta Test is postponed because of bugs:

Because of critical bugs, FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test, which is scheduled to begin on Sept. 1, 2010 at 02:00 (GMT), will be postponed.

The Making of a Realm series Part 6 was just released. This time it is all about the Music. Interview

Open Beta Application Details!

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:14:00 -0500

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Didn't get a chance to be accepted into the closed Alpha and Beta testing? Well now is your chance to test the game during open beta on August 31! You will need a Square-Enix account, so those who are new to playing Square-Enix's games will need to go here to create your own account. At the time of posting, the link is currently under maintenance, but should be up in time for you to register and participate in Open Beta! To know more of how to participate, read below:

the Winddown: Can I play with you?

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:10:00 -0500

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A lot of crazy stuff happened with the ending of Beta 3� surplus exp, fatigue, producer Hiromichi Tanaka's tweet directing fault at "foreigner" websites, playing the waiting game for translations on Nobuaki Komoto's explanation of the surplus system on the NA beta site from the JP site, and then of course tensions from pockets of the budding community on whether or not to cancel their preorders. An interesting week indeed!

However, the Winddown isn't here to bring up issues that will most likely get someone's blood boiling! Here at the Winddown, we will talk about

Open Beta Start Date Announced, New Prerelease Trailer

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:10:00 -0500

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The start date for the Open Beta Test has been released via the official FFXIV Twitter page. The FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test will begin next week on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 19:00 PST. That's 7:00 pm for you non-military folks. At this point SE only has few weeks to get this game in shape. Let's hope that's all it takes.

In addition to the Open Beta news, a brand new prerelease trailer has been added to the FFXIV Youtube Channel. At 3 minutes and 30 seconds

Beta Client Performance

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:40:00 -0500

I finally managed to sit down and get a little time to benchmark the actual client rather than relying on the official FFXIV benchmark for performance numbers. The numbers for the beta client were obtained by running the same 12 minute course, starting at the Adventurer's Guild in Limsa Lominsa, running down through and past Bearded Rock, and then doubling back. As I obviously can't trace my steps exactly and cannot control other variables such as the number of players along the path at any given time, there's a small margin of error involved. CPU usage was tracked at the logical processor level via the native performance monitor built into Windows 7. GPU usage and framerate were obtained via MSI Afterburner. For all tests, the Sapphire 5870 was set to 850MHz core

Eorzea ― The Making of a Realm 5: Telling the Tale

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:51:00 -0500

The fifth installment of The Making of a Realm series was just released. This time they talk about creating

Images of Hydaelyn: You stink!

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:33:00 -0500

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Today's picture is brought to you by none other than yours truly. After getting fed up with trying to find the "just right" skin tone for Moon Clan Miqo'te, I decided to roll as a Lalafell and remind myself why the short people were always cool.

Now, if you are wondering HOW I got my Lalafell to make to make this face, simple: she was bound and didn't like it. Though, she looks more like she's constipated... maybe the Roegadyn farted in her face. Who knows?

Orzcast Episode 2: Men Wear Short Skirts

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:15:00 -0500

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We finally have our podcast name! Say hello to the Orzcast. Calaera and Xariana talk about the state of Final Fantasy XIV as of Beta Phase 3, and then badger their male guests for wanting to be girly men. We say the word awesome. A lot. Featuring Maiev and Orophen from FFXIVBlog.com as the damsels in distress.

Listen to the podcast now!

User Submitted: Bridging the Gap

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:30:00 -0500

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With the impending release of FFXIV right around the corner, many of the die-hard fans of its predecessor are wondering as to where Square has decided to set the balance between the hardcore grindy nature of FFXI and mainstream games such as WoW or Guild Wars. This begs the question; how does Square find a way to bring in the mainstream without over simplifying the mechanics of the prior installment? My largest qualm with Final Fantasy XI was the strenuous amount of time needed to feel any sense of accomplishment whatsoever. While I do believe larger and more prevalent goals should