Shack PSA: Final Fantasy XIV Open Beta Begins Tomorrow

Although previous tests were open to a select few, Square Enix has revealed an open beta for Final Fantasy XIV will launch tomorrow. Beginning Tuesday, August 31 at 7 p.m. (PDT), Square Enix will open the beta flood gates to potential Final Fantasy XIV quest seekers.

Beta servers will be live for 24 hours a day; however, only a limited number of players will be able to log into the game at one time. Over time, the number of online users will be increased as the company gradually tests its server load [via FFXIV Core]. Turned away players will be placed on a waiting list to join in the fun at another time.

In a development that seems counter to the way fans play MMOs, Square Enix revealed that Final Fantasy XIV has an internal system that will decrease the amount of experience gained by players the more they play in one week. The cap, however, isn't as strict as it seems, if players are willing to spend time using multiple skills.

According to PC Gamer, the weekly timer will begin to reduce gained experience after eight hours of play. After an additional seven hours of play, the game will no longer give players experience. The limits, however, are separate for each skill. Once players hit the 15-hour time limit on one skill, they can swap to a new skill (ranged weapons, crafting tools) to reset the timer for the new selected arsenal.

According to game director Nobuaki Komoto, the design decision was made to allow players with "little time on their hands to play effectively." The game's balance, Komoto says, is based off this core concept and it was designed as to not give players with more time on their hands an "unfair advantage."