FFXIV Beta Invites - Advice for testers.

Well, the first round of Final Fantasy XIV Beta invites went out around the 1st of March. The lucky folks who were on the receiving end of those emails will start downloading the first version of the test client, which will be the first of many versions that are pushed down in the coming months of testing. As a previous Beta Tester for World of Warcraft, WoW: The Burning Crusade, and Warhammer Online, I am no stranger to the testing process. Unfortunately, I wasn't selected for this initial round, though I still have hope that my invite will come later.

For those of you who got in on this phase, and any subsequent phase of testing for that matter, you can probably expect download congestion, spotty connectivity to the Beta site, and people complaining about connection issues or download/client install issues or game bugs in a non-constructive manner. This is pretty much par for the course should be an expected part of the testing process. Don't get excited or stressed out, these things have a way of working themselves out and you'll be playing and offering beneficial feedback before you know it. Another thing to keep in mind is that testing usually breaks after a few days to a few weeks to load new testing content on the servers and make certain changes based on community suggestions and feedback. Once you're in, you're in for all of the remaining phases -- unless your conduct does not meet the standards expected of valuable testers as determined by the staff of the game you're testing.

If you didn't get your invite for this initial round of testing, don't worry, there will be more invites being sent out as the testing progresses. Also, I believe testing for the PC version kicks off first, so if you signed up for the PS3 version or indicated that you intend to play on that platform, it may impact when you will receive your invite. I cannot confirm that, however, it's just speculation on my part.

Another point of interest for those of you who are willing to do ANYTHING to increase your odds of getting into the Beta, Final Fantasy XIII has hit the stores and inside these first-run shipments is a product registration card that gives you a code to enter in on the Beta application form. Already applied? It's okay, when you apply again, this time indicating the code you received when you registered your copy of FFXIII, it will overwrite your previous application. The application site specifically says this, so there is no penalty for re-applying as your latest application will overwrite any previous entries.

Speculation: They were disappointed with the number of PS3 Beta applications and decided that this would be a good way of bolstering the number of players willing to test on that platform.

Another bonus that comes with registering your copy of FFXIII is that you can enter it after you purchase your retail version of Final Fantasy XIV when it comes out and you will get a special in-game item! They haven't said what that item will be, but I imagine that this may be your only chance to secure whatever it is.

Regardless of whether you got in this time or if you get in later, it is important to use your opportunity as a beta tester wisely. This can be done by experiencing many different facets of the game environment instead of just the things you enjoy doing as a part of your normal gaming routine. A good Beta tester does not view this time as a way to merely preview the game and pass judgment, he or she sees it as an opportunity to make suggestions that could forever alter the way the game plays and feels to possibly hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of players from around the globe. They report bugs with constructive comments and participate in surveys that pop up concerning quest objectives or other interactions instead of closing them to get on with playing the game.

Just remember, the rest of us are counting on you to help make this the best game it can be. Don't let us down!