Development timeline

Introduction[edit]

This is a historical reference of key points in Final Fantasy XIV's Development. Past, Present, and Future should all be documented here. Key points that should be documented are Specific dates for Public Announcements, Dates of Alpha and Beta Phase starts and finishes, Release Dates, Major Version Updates, and Expansion and Add-On Announcements and Release Dates. The Major purpose of the timeline is to keep a documentation of when major changes have happened in Final Fantasy XIV's history. For Ease the timeline will be split into the Development cycle, which is all key points Before the game goes on sale retail, and Retail Cycle, which is all key points after the game goes Retail. Then Split again if/when any expansions are released using their Release date as the new split point.

Time Line : Development Cycle[edit]

Year 2005[edit]

  • August 2005 - Square Enix displays Tech Demo of Project "Rapture" during a Microsoft Press conference.

Year 2009[edit]

  • June 2009 - Sony reveals Final Fantasy XIV during their E3 Press Conference stating it is a Exclusive of the PlayStation 3 Computer Entertainment System. Announces 2010 release time frame.
  • June 2009 - Square Enix later confirms that it is a Console Exclusive, and will also be released on PC at the same time.
  • June 2009 - http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com goes live. Gives brief details about the game and allows visitors to re-watch the trailer from E3.
  • August 2009 - Square Enix demonstrates a pre-alpha build to the visitors at the Cologne Gamescom event.
  • September 2009 - Square Enix shows a new trailer at Tokyo Game Show 2009.
  • December 2009 - Square Enix opens Beta Sign-ups for Square-Enix Account users.

Year 2010[edit]

  • February 2010 - Square Enix presents music and other information from Final Fantasy XIV to participants in Vanafest 2010. Everyone attending was given access to the Alpha Test.
  • March 2010 - The Alpha test site goes live.
  • March 2010 - Square Enix open their YouTube Channel with Trailers from previous Gaming Events. And a Life In Eorzea clip.
  • April 2010 - Alpha Testing begins.
  • June 2010 - Square Enix releases a first glimpse at Beta Character creation on their YouTube Channel.
  • June 2010 - Nvidia releases a Benchmark Program through their driver site for Final Fantasy XIV. Square Enix later links to it on their Final Fantasy XIV website.
  • June 2010 - Sony plays a shortened version of the E3-2010 Trailer during their Press Conference. The full trailer becomes available on Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIV website.
  • June 2010 - Square Enix demonstrates a pre-beta build of the game client showing off faster game play and more polished graphics on the floor of E3. Confirms that they are still on track for a 2010 Release. But does not specify date yet.
  • June 2010 - Square Enix and Nvidia demonstrate Multiscreen 3D Displays of Final Fantasy XIV at E3 2010. Tanaka has interviews with the press.
  • June 2010 - After E3 2010, Producer Tanaka confirms that Alpha Testing has finished successfully and asks fans to prepare for Beta to start soon.
  • June 2010 - A week After E3 2010 Tanaka released Q&A questions about the game on Square Enix's E3 Website.
  • July 2010 - Square Enix announces publicly plans for a Collectors Edition and Announces September 22nd 2010 as the official Release date for Collector Edition Purchasers. Standard Edition on September 30th.
  • July 2010 - Square Enix Updates their Final Fantasy XIV website with new artwork and the Collectors Edition Announcements.
  • July 2010 - Closed Beta started by SE for Alpha and Beta Testers.
  • August 2010 - Closed Beta goes into phase 3 with all disciplines, linkshells and macros ready for testing.
  • September 2010 - Open Beta Starts.
  • September 2010 - Ebisu Event

Time Line: Retail Cycle[edit]

Year 2010[edit]

  • September 22, 2010 - Early Release Date, Early Game Collectors Edition Users.
  • September 30, 2010 - Standard Users Get Access To Game Servers.

Year 2011[edit]

  • March 2011 - Game Becomes Available For PS3.