More Q's & A's with the Dev's!

Some time ago it seems there was a Question & Answer segment with the developers that slipped by us. It seems FFXIVcore got around to translating it. I'm not sure how old this is, but it has what should be new information to yourselves, so enjoy! (Credit also goes to Dengeki Magazine and Square Enix Co, LTD)



Beta Test

Q: How much percentage you can play in beta test compared to the real product?
A: The alpha test will start before the beta, and will start from about 10 percent of the finished product. We’d like to check the entire system before release, but the majority of in-game content won’t be released until the final product.

Q: Will the servers be named after summons, like in FFXI?
A: It’ll be a bit different from FFXI, but it’ll be something familiar to FF fans. By the way, the FFXI beta server had a different name than the final game servers (BLATANT SPECULATION: I’m thinking they’re trying to hint that they might follow the theme for the FFXI beta server name, does anyone know what it was? Either that or they’re trying to say that the beta server name and regular service servers names will be different)

Q: How many servers will there be in the beta test?
A: We’re going to start the alpha with one server and gradually expand during the beta to an environment that can hold hundreds of thousands of players.

Q: What about world transfer service? Can we continue what we did in Beta version in the official version?
A: I’d like to make it possible that users played together in Beta version can start in the same world, when the official service is started. As for the world transfer service, there is a possibility in the future, and some kind of regulation would be needed.

World

Q: Are the beast tribes the same sort of existence as the beast men in FFXI?
A: “Beast tribe” is a name given to these people from the government. They look different from the people living in the cities and have different philosophies and religions, but they have their own culture and knowledge.

Q: So is there a triangular relationship between the beast tribes, the empire and the adventurers?
A: I don’t know about that. It’s a three-way deadlock with irreconcilable forces right now, but as the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” We’ll leave the rest to your imagination.

Q: What exactly is this power that adventurer’s have to change the world by reliving the past?
A: As things stand, it is just the ability to live past experiences as they were your own, nothing more.

Q: So is the world split into two worlds, the past and the future?
A: At this point, all we can say is that reliving the past is not the same as travelling into the past.

Q: The fight with the empire really stood out. Is this a “people vs. people” war? (Translator’s note: Human vs. Human. The interviewer means humans as in non-beast-tribesmen. They do not mean PVP: player vs. player –Manly) Does this mean the adventurers will be taking part in this war?
A: At this point, we can’t explain what that battle is, or answer if it’s even real or an illusion. What we can say is that in Hydaelyn, beast tribesmen are people, and the empire are also people. In this way, a war of the peoples will play itself out naturally, and the adventurer may get caught up in it.

Q: The name of the region is Eorzea, but is it also called the Garlean Empire?
A: Strictly speaking, they’re not the same. Eorzea is the name of the region, but Garlean is the name of the political power that controls it. When comparing it to the real world, it’s like Greece, which includes cities like Athens and Sparta in its cultural region, and the Persian empire, which controlled the region.

Q: The confliction between Eorzea and Garlean Empire means war in the Aldenard Continent?
A: The story begins in Eorzea, which include the Aldenard Continent and its surrounding islands. However, the main base of the Garlean Empire seems to be in some bigger Continent.

Q: How the ability to relive the past and crystals are related?
A: This gets into the main setting of the story. Play by yourself and find it out.

Q: Will we see chocobos?
A: For sure! However, we’re trying to come up with different ways to use chocobos than FFXI.

Q: We only know that there are flying boats for military. Are there flying boats like ocean liners?
A: There are some flying boats that adventurers can use as transportation, I think, but I will give you details another time.

Character

Q: What do you want players to enjoy about character making?
A: Rather than being able to create characters at your will, the emphasis is on having more distinctive features for each race according to the worldview. We’re sure the player will be able to create a character according to their tastes. Starting gear will also be different according to the class you choose, so it’s something you can look forward.

Q: Is it possible to change characters age visually?
A: There is no factor like age, but you can make your characters look like more experienced to some extent.

A: So, first Gear would be decided by the class you choose?
Q: Yes, class decides your first gear. However, what you wear later is up to the player.

Magic

Q: How is the system of Magic?

A: Magic in FFXIV has two properties: "directional property" and "school of magic." This means, even HP curative magic spells can be different in the amount, area, time and MP cost for the spell depending on the school it’s from.

Q: How about magic in FF series which are not in FFXI?
A: There are famous spells from the FF series which are not used in FFXI since they were not suitable for MMOs. Those spells are difficult to apply in FFXIV, also, but we won’t yet say that we are not going to use them. Moreover, even if they have same names as FFXI, there are some spells which have been dramatically changed in FFXIV. Please check them out.

Q: Can only disciples of magic use magic? Is there disciple of magic that can use swords?
A: It is more dependent on how adventurers raise their character rather than being hard-defined by classes.

Q: Will magic use TP, too?
A: We are still considering, but it is quite possible.

Dungeon

Q: Is there any situation that we go through dungeons where we’ll need a torch?
A: Some places are quite dark, but at the moment we are not planning to have systems that you need lighting or illumination magic.

Q: Can you go into dungeons seamlessly?
A: Yes. You can go into dim dungeon from the sunny field seamlessly.

Monster

Q: As far as active-passive, perception, and linking behaviors, are monsters the same as in FFXI?
A: Of course monsters are wandering around in fields. There are same factors as FFXI, but they have some original factors which are special to their environments and herds.

Q: Do the beast tribes attack humans on sight?
A: Beast tribes are also human. Some are pacifists and others are betrayers. Maybe some of them would even try to make deals with you.

Q: Do monsters fight each other?
A: Something like a food chain relationship has been planned since the beginning, so there will be something along those line.

Q: What about summons?
A: There are summons. These summons are closer to god-like existences, and in order to gain their help, even higher hurdles must be overcome.

Q: Are there other races for beast tribes? Will they have classes?
A: There will be other beast tribes besides the ones we have released. They’re also human with their own culture and way of living, so they will most likely have classes that they specialize in.

Q: Can we see our favorite monsters like Mandragora?
A: There are a number of monsters which are in FFXI appearing in FFXIV. You can count on that.