source: GamespotFinal Fantasy XI enters into online testing in North America.
Square has informed GameSpot that the company is going to start a closed beta for the North American version of Final Fantasy XI, a massively multiplayer online RPG loosely based on the Final Fantasy franchise. The company will use the beta to test different types of Internet connections as well as compatibility. Unfortunately, Square has not released any additional information on the North American version of the PlayStation 2 hard drive nor has it revealed an official release date.
Not sure how they plan to accomplish this, with the HDD nowhere near being ready. Maybe they mean the PC version?