Final Fantasy XIV

At the 'Future of Final Fantasy' event Square Enix has announced that their MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be released on PlayStation 4 next year. Accounts can be transfered from the PlayStation 3 version to PlayStation 4 version when it is released.

Square Enix has also released the E3 trailer of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn called 'Crystal's Call'.

Some of you might be waiting for this. Square Enix has officially announced that Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will hit the stores on 27 August! Subscription fees will start at $12.99 in the United States, £7.69 in the United Kingdom and €10.99 in Europe.

When you pre-order the MMORPG you'll receive early access to the world of Eorzea, a Cait Sith Doll Minion and a Mog Cap as in-game item.

Square Enix has also announced something a little big more special, the Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition.

This collector's edition will contain an 80-page hardcover art book with concept art of the game, a bonus video disc that takes a cinematic look at the events leading up to the realm being reborn, an album that features musical scores by renowned Final Fantasy series composers, five art cards and a security token. You'll also receive the Helm of Light, Baby Behemoth Minion, Coeurl Mount and Behemoth Barding in-game items.

If you can't wait to play the game, you can still sign up for the Phase 3 Beta test that will start in June. This, a new Tour of Eorzeo video and more can be found on the official website.

Players who bought the original version of Final Fantasy XIV (that was released back in September 2010) do not have to buy the new version but can download it for free.

Naoki Yoshida, the producer of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, has announced in his 43th letter that phase 1 of the beta will start on 25 February.

I'm sorry for taking so long to put up this letter, but the news you've all been waiting for is finally here. Assuming no dastardly bugs or server errors slow us down, phase 1 of the beta test will begin on February 25!

The roadmap we released has the schedule set for mid-February, so the start is about a week late. However, the extra time has allowed us to prepare more system features and character options for testing. While you all enjoy the game, I hope you also provide us with tons of feedback like you did during the alpha test.

In the letter Yoshida also announced a new system that will be available from the start of the beta: Full Active Time Events (FATE for short). These events occur in non-instanced areas at random. Players can participate by simply being within proximity of the event, and there's no need to form parties. When they are over, players will be rewarded.

Also the behest system is back and improved and is now named the guildhest system. In the original version the behests are quests to defeat monsters which occur near certain aetheryte and aetherial gates.

Like in the alpha stage, phase 1 of the beta will be limited to areas around Gridania. Also a new dungeon for level 30 players will be available for testing.

Square Enix has recently posted a new gameplay footage video on YouTube of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Unlike previous videos that showed the environments, this video shows the quests and combat system. Notice that both systems have been improved greatly compared to the original version.