Crash test dummy: FFXIV

So early last week, I had the (somewhat dubious) honor of being chosen as an FFXIV beta tester. Oddly enough, I did not think I would get in since my PC was about 4 years old at the time I signed up. How is it so far? I've only been able to get in maybe a couple hours of solid gameplay. So far each test day has gone like this:

1. Servers open up.
2. Try to log in. Timeout city.
3. SE says, "We know the servers are getting hammered."
4. Get booted off, try to log back in, timeouts persist.
*a couple hours later*
5. SE: "Down for the day. Servers are too screwed up."
*a couple days pass*
6. SE: "OK I think we got this. Did some internal tests, yadda yadda... Gonna try again probably tomorrow."
*another test day arrives*
7. SE: "Yeah we got this. Here's a patch."
8. Repeat step 1.

"How long before SE pulls the plug?" has become a running gag of sorts.

At this rate, we're probably not getting this game at the end of September, let alone this year. Are they really that desperate to get a head-start on Blizzard and Cataclysm? Yeah I know the core game is there, but plenty of games have been pushed back due to network issues.

Descent

So last month's update brought us a cornucopia of new spells and abilities as well as a host of new weapons and armor to go along with our new-found power. However, one thing stands out in my mind: was this done too late? I just can't help but feel that this is "a day late and a dollar short" so to speak. I don't like the direction this game's headed. When does one say enough is enough?