Yep, you read right. It’s safe to assume that players, hardcore and casual alike, have a lot to get excited about with Final Fantasy XIV. Adding to the hype is that the open beta for Square Enix’s newest MMO finally starts tomorrow!

News broke of the open beta test date after details were posted on FFXIV’s official Twitter account. A trailer was also released, with several copies already uploaded on YouTube.

The prerelease trailer, a three and half minute clip summarizing the high-definition gameplay experience, is accompanied by the official FFXIV theme song “Answers” as recorded by award-winning vocalist/musician Susan Calloway.

Apart from the outstanding musical score, FFXIV keeps content fresh with changes such as quicker leveling accessible in either solo or group play; high-definition, real-time cut scene features; and five new playable races.

Eorzea, the intricately designed FFXIV environment, is more than just a backdrop for one’s quests and combats. Comprised of six-city states, players traverse through various locations and immerse themselves further in the game. Grand landmarks that will undoubtedly attract players are the coliseum in Ul’dah and the medieval castle in Limsa Lominsa, to name a few.

There’s a lot to take in at this point so load up on FFXIV gil and boost your game time to prepare yourself.

ETA: Hold on, folks. An announcement from Square Enix said that the open beta test “will be postponed due to a confirmation of critical bugs”.  Details on the new schedule to come soon.

Heads up, Adventurers! Even more weapon enhancements are coming your way as FFXI expands Trial of the Magians.

Apart from further augmentations to relic and mythic weapons, there’s promise of getting to experience new trial sequences once the update goes live.

The new Miraculous Magian Spectacles is yet another addition to look forward to. You may obtain it from the Magian Moogle and once activated will conjure a Magian trial log by your side helping you keep track of your progress.

The latest installment of the Fan Art Contest returns as part of FFXI’s 8th year anniversary celebrations.

From May 16 to June 16, contestants will be asked to submit their most awe-inspiring and imaginative masterpieces in the medium of their liking. Full creative freedom is what the contest champions.

The winning entries will be featured and recognized in the Topics section, with the winners receiving the Nomad Moogle Rod in-game item as their prize. A bonus Chocobo Beret also awaits the Crystal and Mythril awardees.

In celebrating the eight-year milestone that Final Fantasy XI has reached, the most extravagant of prizes await only the luckiest adventurers. As posted in the official Mog Bonanza page, “The Vana’diel of your dreams is only five digits away!”

Mog Bonanza marbles will be up for sale at 2000 gil each from May 16 to June 7 (1:00 AM PDT).

Transferred characters whose names encounter a duplicate in their destination world may be required to change their names, which will be prompted at the login screen. Luckily, the Friends List will remain intact even after a name change. If you have important mail or an avid auctioneer, it’s also best to move these to the Mog Safe before the World Merge happens, especially since Square Enix has explicitly said that it will not restore the lost items.

Unlike belongings and items, Pearlsacks and Linkpearls will not be carried over to the destination world. But Linkshell owners will be given an unopened Linkshell when first logging in, allowing them to create a new linkshell. The following are the eight servers moving as well as their destination servers: Fairy to Sylph; Kujata to Valefor; Remora to Leviathan; Midgardsormr to Quetzarcoatl; Hades to Cerberus;
Seraph to Bismarck; Garuda to Lakshmi; and Pandemonium to Asura.