Final Fantasy XIV Online Open Beta Now Available on Xbox Series X|S

WEBWIRE

Summary

  • Critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online has officially launched into Open Beta on Xbox Series X|S
  • Boasting 4K support on Xbox Series X and faster loading times on both consoles, all progress will carry over to the full launch
  • Our Starter Guide Series offers tips and tricks to make your early steps into the realm of Eorzea even better

Its been a long old journey, but were thrilled to finally be able to say critically acclaimed Online RPG Final Fantasy XIV Online is officially available on Xbox Series X|S!

Todays launch into Open Beta offers Xbox players the full breadth of content available in the much-hyped Free Trial, with more to come when the full release arrives. Better yet, all progress will carry over, so lets take a look at whats on offer as well as give you some tips and tricks about how to start your adventures in Eorzea!

What is Final Fantasy XIV Online?

We covered this in detail last time, but Final Fantasy XIV Online is an online massively multiplayer role-playing game boasting a global community over 30 million adventurers strong, and widely regarded as having one of the most welcoming communities on the internet.

Despite the title, a key point is that Final Fantasy XIV Online is a standalone game that doesnt require any previous experience with the franchise, making it the perfect place to jump in. Expect a world filled with bustling cities, towering forests and deadly deserts, with a constantly updated and ever-engaging world taking you to the far reaches of the landand beyondwith a captivating and ongoing story.

If multiplayer games feel a bit overwhelming, FFXIV includes a feature called the Duty Support system that enables tackling content with a party of NPC allies as opposed to other players. This now spans all the main story dungeons currently in the game, meaning you can experience the award-winning narrative all on your own.

Whats Available Now and Whats Coming Next?

Todays launch into Open Beta brings all the content available in the Free Trial to Xbox Series X|S. This means you can enjoy the entirety of A Realm Reborn as well as the award-winning Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70, with no restrictions on playtime!

All progress made will carry over to the full release when it arrives, giving you plenty of time to get up to speed before our newest expansion, Dawntrail arrives in Summer but more on that another time!

Any Tips and Tricks for Beginners?

With a world as big as FFXIVs, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start. Thankfully, our Starter Guide series has your back. The seven-part video series offers early tips and tricks for new players to get the most out of their adventures in Eorzea. The series follows the journey of new player Kaz and his mentor Mayra, who guides him through his first steps in FFXIV.

Each episode is designed to assist with beginning your journey, whether playing solo at your own pace, or joining others to explore the world together. If youre a more experienced Warrior of Light, feel free to share this series with friends who are just taking the first steps of their adventures!

You can check out the whole series in a playlist here, or click on the first episode below.

Thats all for today were so excited to welcome you to Eorzea, and cant wait to share more information on Dawntrail very soon indeed! Until then, happy adventuring!

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Free Trial

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☆☆☆☆☆ 206★★★★★Get it nowBy: Luke Karmali, PR Director, Square Enix

Final Book in Time Travel Romance “Time Corrector” Series Released

 In the shocking third installment of the Time Corrector series, super-genius Dr. Vincent Abajian finds himself in even greater turmoil, and this time, the fate of his beloved daughter is on the line. “The Reset” is a culmination of worlds colliding, timelines interweaving, and relationships that seemed indestructible, reaching dire breaking points.

“The heart of the story is love and sacrifice as experienced through the non-linearity of time and reality,” author Avi Datta, who is a professor at Illinois State University.

In “The Reset,” Vincent finds himself in the midst of an international political crisis created by his adversary, Philip Nardin. As he tirelessly works to offset the impact, Philip kidnaps Nozomi, Vincent’s daughter. As a last resort, Vincent relinquishes his time-correcting powers to Philip while the world leaders launch a devastating arms race to weaponize Intreton—the world’s purest energy source that can alter reality if mishandled. The two opponents, Vincent and Philip, unite against political and military forces to save reality from crumbling.

The first book in the series, “The Winding,” won the Global Book Award’s Gold medal in the Sci-Fi Romance category, and the Reader’s Favorite top five Sci-Fi-Time Travel Fiction. “The Movement,” the second book, won the 2023 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Winner for the Best Sci-Fi Novel and The 2023 Global Book Award’s Gold Medal.

“The Reset” is poised to receive similar accolades and offer a satisfying conclusion to this exciting series. “I tend not to box my stories within the confines of one sub-genre. Instead, I challenge the core assumption that causality and time are linear,” Datta said.

“The Reset” is now available in paperback and eBook formats on major online retailers, including Amazon and Ingram. The book is distributed by Bublish, Inc. Connect with Avi at avi-datta.com. To learn about Bublish and its publishing services, visit bublish.com.

About the Author
Avi Datta is a professor of Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at Illinois State University. He is also affiliated with the Institute of Innovation Research at Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan. He is also an avid painter, a coffee enthusiast, and a watch collector.

Avi works with Bublish, whose mission is to empower entrepreneurial authors with the tools, resources, and programs they need to be successful in today’s competitive book marketplace.

Bublish
Kathy Meis
843-513-7337
https://bublish.com
Avi Datta
https://avi-datta.com/contact/

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Hong Kong – HKCPEC held Final Round of Competition cum Award Presentation Ceremony for HKCPEC Youth Programme (with photos)

HKCPEC held Final Round of Competition cum Award Presentation Ceremony for HKCPEC Youth Programme (with photos)

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation:
 
     The Final Round of Competition cum Award Presentation Ceremony for the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (HKCPEC) Youth Programme (Youth Programme) – “Digital Art x Speak up Hong Kong Story” Art Design and Storytelling Competition, co-organised by the HKCPEC and Edution Network, was successfully held today (December 16) at The Mills in Tsuen Wan. Officiating at the Award Presentation Ceremony were the Chairman of the HKCPEC, Professor Tam Kar-yan, and the Vice Chairman of the HKCPEC and the Deputy Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Francis Ho.

     In his opening remarks, Professor Tam said that this year marked the ninth edition of Youth Programme held by the HKCPEC, which provided an opportunity for students to better understand the strengths and prospect of Hong Kong in the Asia-Pacific region through participating in a series of workshops, seminars and visits, and to tell the world the good stories of Hong Kong through integrating digital art and creativity.

     Speaking at the Award Presentation Ceremony, Mr Ho expressed his delight for HKCPEC to organise this year’s Youth Programme, as the objective coincided with the priorities of the current-term Government on youth development and promoting Hong Kong. It also echoed the recent development of digitalisation in the region, and enabled the younger generation in Hong Kong to deepen their understanding in regional trend and economic co-operation.

     The HKCPEC Youth Programme aims at advancing understanding among the youth community on Hong Kong’s role and contribution to trade and economic development and co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region; and increasing their knowledge, developing their analytical skills and encouraging their strategic thinking in the process of the participation.

     This year’s Youth Programme seeks to inspire students to share the good stories of Hong Kong with the use of new media while producing digital artwork that reflects their innovative thinking. Participating senior secondary school students in Hong Kong completed in a series of nurturing activities, including seminars, workshops and company visits. In the Final Round of Competition, 14 shortlisted teams each presented a complete set of digital artwork and shared their design concept and vision of good stories of Hong Kong through a short video.

     In the Award Presentation Ceremony, ECF Saint Too Canaan College was awarded the Asia-Pacific Grand Vision Award, the Hong Kong Story Award and the Digital Art Award. The awarded team of the Best Presentation Award was one of the teams from Po Leung Kuk Yao Ling Sun College. The artwork and video of one of the teams from SALEM-Immanuel Lutheran College also won both the Popularity Artwork Award and Popularity Video Award from an online polling on social media. All digital artwork entering the Final Round of Competition are exhibited at M4 Atrium on the first floor of The Mills from December 16 to 18 (Saturday to Monday). Members of the public are welcome to visit.

     The HKCPEC (www.hkcpec.org/) was established in March 1990 to co-ordinate Hong Kong, China’s participation in the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC). In line with the nature of the PECC, the composition of the HKCPEC is tripartite, comprising members from the Government, the business sector and academia.

     The PECC is a non-governmental organization set up in 1980 to develop closer co-operation in trade and economic issues among economies in the region. Currently, the PECC has 25 member committees, of which 22 are full members. For details, please visit the PECC’s website at www.pecc.org/.

Hong Kong – Two final additional performances of dance drama “Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting” to address overwhelming response

Two final additional performances of dance drama “Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting” to address overwhelming response

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  The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the dance drama “Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting” by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group in January next year. Due to the overwhelming public response, tickets for the three previously available performances of the production were sold out swiftly. In lights of the views given to the LCSD, two final additional performances have been arranged and details are as follows:
 
Date and time: January 6, 2024 (Saturday), 2.30pm
        January 7, 2024 (Sunday), 7.30pm
Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Prices: $200, $320, $420, $520 and $620
 
  The “Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting” was produced by the Palace Museum, China Oriental Performing Arts Group and People’s Daily Online, with Zhou Liya and Han Zhen as chief directors. It was inspired by “A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains”, a classic painting housed at the Palace Museum, which was created by genius young painter Wang Ximeng during the Song dynasty and is the only extant work by Wang. The prestigious national performing arts group will unveil the 1 000-year-old elegance of Song-style aesthetics and celebrate the fine traditional culture of China with the art of contemporary performance. By adopting a narrative structure that interweaves space and time, the dance drama tells the story of a researcher from the Palace Museum to travel back in time to witness the moment when Wang was about to finish the work. The researcher guides the audience to accompany Wang through the precious time he spent painting the “A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains”, providing them to establish the sentimental bond between the Chinese cultural relic and modern-day people.
 
  Tickets for the additional performances will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from December 12 (Tuesday). Each person can purchase a maximum of two tickets each time on the first day of ticket sales and a maximum of four tickets each time from the second day onwards. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/programs_1642.html.
      
     A dance masterclass (in Putonghua) will be organised, in which lead dancers will introduce concept of the programme, teach dance movements and techniques, suitable for those aged 16 and above with some dance experience. It will be held at 2.30pm on January 4 (Thursday) at rehearsal room GR1, Grand Theatre Backstage, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $180 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from December 12 (Tuesday).

     Moreover, a pre-performance talk (in Cantonese) will be organised, in which Dr Raymond Tang, Curator of Hong Kong Heritage Museum, will introduce the painting “A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains”. The talk entitled “The Past and Present of the Masterpiece: A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains” will be held at 3pm on December 17 (Sunday) at the Lecture Hall, Basement of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Admission is free by online registration, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. For details of the dance masterclass and pre-performance talk, please visit the above-mentioned website.

     The LCSD has all along been committed to promoting Chinese history and culture through organising different types of activities. For more details of related activities, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/common/pdf/Chinese_History_Culture_Programmes_EN.pdf.

Final Fantasy XIV Online is Coming to Xbox Series X|S in Spring 2024

Summary

– Critically Acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online is officially coming to Xbox Series X|S in Spring 2024.
– Boasting 4K support on Xbox Series X and faster loading times on both consoles, with an open beta coming soon.
– Duty Support system allows single-player fans to enjoy the story at their own pace.

WEBWIRE

After much anticipation, its finally confirmed critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online is officially coming to Xbox Series X|S.

First announced at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2023 in Las Vegas by FFXIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida and CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer, lets break down the announcement and reveal and what it means for Xbox gamers now that one of gamings most welcoming communities is set to get even bigger!

What is Final Fantasy XIV Online?

Firstly, if youre not familiar with Final Fantasy XIV Online, as the name would suggest, its the fourteenth mainline game in the highly esteemed Final Fantasy series. As with all mainline numbered Final Fantasy games however, each entry is a standalone game that doesnt require any previous experience with the franchise. If youve never played a Final Fantasy game before, FFXIV is the perfect place to jump in!

FFXIV takes place in the world of Hydaelyn a vibrant planet blessed by the Light of the Crystal. Amid azure seas, encompassing the westernmost of the Three Great Continents, there lies a realm embraced by gods and forged by heroes. Her name Eorzea. It is here that your tale begins to unfold. Beckoned by the Mothercrystal the source of all life you must embark upon a quest to deliver the land from an eternity of Darkness.

As an online massively multiplayer role-playing game, FFXIV offers a realm where you and 27 million adventurers worldwide can embark on epic quests together. Filled with bustling cities, towering forests, and deadly deserts, FFXIVs constantly updated, and ever-engaging world takes you to the far reaches of the land and beyond, with a captivating and ongoing story. But it isnt just about defeating massive monsters with your personalized Warrior of Light. You can also gather materials and craft items, enjoy series staples including Chocobos, Moogles, and Airships, enjoy a day of mini-games and mahjong at the Gold Saucer, and even buy a house.

Your adventure, played your way!

If all this sounds a bit overwhelming, never fear! Though initially designed to be played online with others, FFXIV includes a feature called the Duty Support system that enables tackling content with a party of NPC allies as opposed to other players. In fact, by the time the open beta launches itll be possible to complete all the main story dungeons from A Realm Reborn through Endwalker solo, enabling you to comfortably experience the stories of Eorzea on their own.

When can I play itand what have I heard about a Free Trial?

Final Fantasy XIV Online is set to launch in open beta on Xbox Series X|S as part of the Patch 6.5x series, which means you can expect it very soon indeed! Alongside 4K support on Xbox Series X, both consoles will enjoy fast loading times, making sure your time in Eorzea looks and plays great.

Additionally, you may have seen some copypasta lurking around the internet pertaining to a certain free trial well, rest assured, the Final Fantasy XIV Online Expanded Free Trial will indeed be coming to Xbox Series X|S, meaning you too will be able to enjoy the entirety of A Realm Reborn as well as the award-winning Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70 with no restrictions on playtime!

Were thrilled to finally be launching on Xbox Series X|S, and this is just the beginning of our journey together. Were looking forward to sharing much more information in the run-up to launch and welcoming you all to Eorzea! Until then, may you ever walk in the light of the Crystal!