Massively multiplayer online game

August 25, 2013September 4, 2013

FFXIV Early Access has Players Singing the Blues

The relaunch of Final Fantasy XIV as FFXIV A Realm Reborn should have been a crowing moment in a troubled past for Square Enix. But stability and load issues are leaving many, especially North American and European, players singing the blues.

This weekend was supposed to be a time of unbridled joy for anyone that pre-ordered FFXIV. A time to enjoy Eorzea ahead the influx of players on launch day. To get a head start and be out of the starting zones when the game launches. But server outages are causing the majority of NA/EU players unable to even get pass the start screen. And if by some luck you were able to get pass the start screen and into the character selection screen, you often end up with an empty screen because NA/EU servers just would not load.

The most frustrating part is not the inability to enjoy Early Access, but the seemly ineptitude of Square Enix. While server issues are common place and even expected in the launch of a new MMO, FFXIV ARR is not a “new” MMO. Square Enix cannot fall back upon the age old excuse of not knowing how many players to expect. FFXIV had an established player base and they had the pre-order numbers. And on top of that, many of the same issues were present during the final phase of closed beta which took place a mere week ago. One would think with potential pitfalls spotted and a very good estimate on player base, Square Enix would have been more prepared, if not overly prepared, for the coming relaunch.

I truly hope all the server issues are resolved quickly and that FFXIV ARR does not begin life the same way that FFXIV’s life ended. I have really enjoyed the game so far, the parts that I’ve been able to see anyways. I plan to post a review of FFXIV ARR in the coming week.

August 23, 2013

Reclaim Earth Unlock the World

Are you ready to take back the Earth? Ready to finally take the fight to the Chosen? Well, get your Battleframes ready. Mark Kern, CEO of Red5 Studios, took to twitter earlier today to announce FireFall Open Beta Stage 2 is now underway.

For the first time ever in Firefall, you will be able to take the fight directly into the Melding against the Chosen. No longer are you limited to simply defending New Eden against the Chosen Incursions. It will be up to you, and your fellow Battleframe pilots, to fuel the newly constructed giant Melding Repulsors to generate enough power to start permanently pushing back the Melding. Each time the Repulsor is fired, more and more of the Melding will be permanently pushed back.

Once the Melding is pushed back far enough, you will discover secret Chosen fortifications that must be besieged and destroyed. Destroying these fortresses will unlock new Chosen technology that can be research crafted into future Battleframe gear and items. When the Chosen is defeated and the Melding is completely pushed back, you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor and fully explore the newly reclaimed area of Earth.

Just be aware, you will be competing against other pilots to see who does the most in helping to reclaim the Earth. Top pilots will be rewarded with special rewards and commendations as well as having statues built, in their honor, in the new capital. The number one pilot will be rewarded with the additional honor of naming the city itself.

The war against the Chosen will continue as more Melding pockets are discovered and then pushed back. And it is up to you and the other pilots to determine the course in which the war progresses. The success or failure of the war against the Chosen will rest heavily on those choices and your determination.

Not in the Open Beta, you can join the war at the official site.

August 1, 2013

Get Ready For FFXIV A Realm Reborn With The Character Creator and Benchmark

If you are anything like me, then the process of creating a character for any MMO is time spent lavishing on every little detail. To make sure I’ve seen all the options available, at least twice, before deciding on the perfect hair and make-up combo for my virtual creation. I can spend hours creating a character if the character creation tool is detailed enough. All the while the desire to actually start playing the game is ever-present, like a tiny voice screaming “JUST GET IN THE GAME!!!”.

Well Final Fantasy XIV has the solution. As of today you can download the character creator from the official FFXIV ARR site. Now you can spent as much time as you like, creating your perfect avatar for your adventures in Eorzea. But what will happen at launch? Not to worry, the creator will save your character so when A Realm Reborn is launched, you’ll be ready to go. And the best part is that the character creator is also a benchmark tool. You will be able to see if your current PC has the power to handle ARR or if its time to run out and pick up that upgrade before launch.