Final Fantasy XIV Letter from the Producer XLI

[Raistlin]

beta logo.jpg

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn producer Naoki Yoshida released his 41st Letter from the Producer today to talk about the upcoming beta release. Take a look at the above logo image and you’ll notice the all-new “beta version” tag, as Yoshi-P posted a screenshot of the login screen.

According to the original roadmap released in December, the beta is set to begin in mid-February. Yoshi-P did not clarify that date in the Letter or mention anything about being on or behind schedule, and only said that phase 1 of the beta will begin “in February.” Still, I would not be surprised if phase 1 did not end up starting until towards the end of February, as FFXIV: ARR’s development has generally been behind schedule to ensure that everything is done correctly this time.

But speaking of the beta, starting with phase 1, all of the races will be playable! However, not all of the customization options will be available, such as the whopping 192 hair colors that will be in the final version. Here are some new screenshots of the different races:

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A Hyur Midlander female posing.

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The Hyur Highlander female is too good to face the camera.

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According to Yoshi-P, this Elezen male is wearing race-specific gear.

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Lalafells are so gosh-darn cute.

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The new Miqo’te male, eager for players to choose him.

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A Roegadyn female challenging you to an arm wrestling match.

How cool do they look? But wait, there’s more! As I mentioned yesterday, the new PC benchmark is currently in its final stages of testing. Well Yoshi-P just couldn’t pass up this opportunity to tease us with a screenshot of it:

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Though we should “pay no mind to the score” until the final version is released.

The rest of the Letter deals with Yoshi-P and the Final Fantasy XIV development team’s holiday and his run-ins with people from other MMOs, which I won’t go into detail on. Despite the festivities, it looks like the development team is hard at work to put the finishing touches on the beta, and I, for one, eagerly await the next update!

[Source: Letter from the Producer, XLI (01/23/2013)]

[Del Murder]

Yep, Manthra all the way for me, along with probably 50% of the players.

[Rostum]

Calling the races the same as FFXI's is so 2010.

I'm sticking to my Lalafel. Though if I were to make a character on BoB's server, I might choose a Roe.

[Mirage]

I'm making a roegadyn female for one of my servers for sure.

Miqote for my main, though.

[Loony BoB]

Yep, Manthra all the way for me, along with probably 50% of the players.

Manqo'te

[Varnis]

Boring ol Hume Male for me, since he was my main in the original XIV game