FFXIV: A Realm Reborn beta start date and new screenshots

Today, the start date for A Realm Reborn beta test (phase 1) has been announced: February 25! Also, acceptance e-mails "will be sent out in the next few days" (source). But there's more, a new Developers' blog post, titled I left my heart..., and Letter from the Producer XLIII are here with a bunch of new screenshots:

FATE (Full Active Time Events): "These events will take place in non-instanced areas and appear at random. Players can participate by simply being within proximity of the event, and there's no need to form parties. Rewards are automatically distributed when it's over, making it easy to jump in and have fun". Screenshots:

"If you're up to the challenge, an instanced dungeon designed with level 30 players in mind will also be ready for testing. The boss has a few tricks up its sleeve that are sure to give you a run for your money":

Pics collection from Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn media tour

Here are some photos from FFXIV: A Realm Reborn media tour.

"Meetings, meetings, and more meetings today!" (click here to read this post; you can see some mandragoras on the third photo!)

From Developers' blog post From LA with love, we get to see a "radical A Realm Reborn elevator door art" and some members of North American and Japanese Community & Services team. From left to right: Devin “Camate” Casadey, Matt “Bayohne” Hilton, Paul "Okipuit" Malixi, Bethany "Rukkirii" Stout, "Triairy".

And now, some venue and gadgets pics!

"Song of the week" #10, #11, #12

Valentine's Day is almost here, so what about celebrating it with not one, not two, but three nice love songs? These aren't the usual "I-love-you songs", and I hope you like them as I do! (Check "Song of the week" #3 and #4 too!)

"When you're gone" by The Cranberries
From the album "To the faithful departed", 1996
Note: it's simply beautiful, isn't it?

"Soon we'll be found" by Sia
From the album "Some people have real problems", 2008
Note: not only this is a very good song, but it also got one of the music videos I like the most; remember to toggle fullscreen!

"Stay" by Rihanna and Mikky Ekko
From the album "Unapologetic", 2012

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn quick news

Latest official news:

• Unused buddy passes which came with Final Fantasy XIV (1.0), can be used in A Realm Reborn
• At the moment, there are no plans for illustrating all of the Twelve. However, there will be statues of them (in beta test) and more later
• It will be possible to change the directional orientation so that the mini-map is based on your character’s line of sight
• Item binding: click
• Beta test (phase 1 & 2): Conjurer, Lancer, Archer classes will be available from the start. Gladiator can be unlocked after completing specific objectives. "Tanks will be very much needed for content like instanced raids (the level 25 dungeon in particular)"
• A new Developers' blog post, titled Best day of the week, shows us FFXIV producer Naoki Yoshida playing with the PS3 version of A Realm Reborn:

FFXIV A Realm Reborn beta test: new dungeon and first FATE screenshots

New Developers' blog post, new sneak peeks! This time we get to see the first screenshot showing a Full Active Time Event (FATE system), a new enemy in an unknown instanced dungeon (beautiful!), along with two Lalafells in Gridania's Adventurers’ Guild.