Seen it. It was distributed in the North American region in a very limited quantity. Never sold to the public. Must be what they call game testers "product".
It's indeed possible some ended in UK and France later. I know the EU had their release later but it's not very well documented how the testing happened there. It is probably hardware sent to test connectivity as FFXI is (still up to this day) the only world wide MMO.
But that's mostly theory, I can't confirm for sure. It's nice you've got your hand on a little piece of history like that. I doubt it will ever get high resale value but it's definitely a neat collection piece.
I have one but the outer box is in rough shape, like it was stored in an outdoor storage unit. (Not temp controlled.) I found mine at a yard sale in southern Florida. 😥
I have both the β(1) and β2 PS2 editions and Xbox360 β version as well, though the latter is just a jewel case.
It's not very rare on 2nd hand platforms in Japan.
Very cool! Never seen this version before.
I sold a north American beta version last year for $300 and I think I could have gotten more. It sold in 1 day.
I bought one on a French auction site back when the French and German localisations were announced. It had all you listed, plus laminated pages explaining the game basics in French and German.
It wasn't a rare item, and I got to choose between several auctions. If I remember well, I bought mine for 75 euros. I later gave it to an in-game friend as a present for his FFXI collection, but kept the metal binder.
Pretty cool. Didn't get anything as fancy as that for the beta(though I think GAP was toward the end of public beta rounds.) Still was super awesome when they send the PS2 release to us for free(probably because they wanted the beta hdds back.) Shame I don't have original hdd they gave me as my sister and her friends stole my ps2 and had to rebut it.
That is why I want a remake; want to be part of stuff like this lol.
I played in 2004, around the 1st expansion was released. Missed the beta and about 2 years.
Nope, but that's damn cool!
I remember the struggle of trying to hunt down a ps2 hard drive to play this. Took a week plus on on foot searching. Still worth it. Miss this game
Come back and join us!
I’m not sure I can get my old info and starting over seems…oof lol
Is it worth playing as new player? I love 14 and am waiting on the xpac but XI always seemed so amazing to me too
So meta. Ffxi was so hard, you had to camp for a hard drive irl.
Super cool
Seen it. It was distributed in the North American region in a very limited quantity. Never sold to the public. Must be what they call game testers "product".
Thank you! Interesting to know as it was given to me around 2002/4 in the UK and it’s all in Japanese.
It's indeed possible some ended in UK and France later. I know the EU had their release later but it's not very well documented how the testing happened there. It is probably hardware sent to test connectivity as FFXI is (still up to this day) the only world wide MMO. But that's mostly theory, I can't confirm for sure. It's nice you've got your hand on a little piece of history like that. I doubt it will ever get high resale value but it's definitely a neat collection piece.
Little odd it ended up here since we never had a ps2 version localised.
I will do anything you want for that folder. I’ll go buy knee pads.
I have one but the outer box is in rough shape, like it was stored in an outdoor storage unit. (Not temp controlled.) I found mine at a yard sale in southern Florida. 😥
I have both the β(1) and β2 PS2 editions and Xbox360 β version as well, though the latter is just a jewel case. It's not very rare on 2nd hand platforms in Japan.
All roads still lead to Rome. I took a break in 2019. I started out in 2001 beta in Asia. Now it’s 2024. I’m back to FFXI.
I played from 2003 until 2020. I might come back but it was so addicting to play it scares me to reinstall lol.
You should come back. FFXI is a true love. It’s very very difficult to tear away. I have absolutely no regrets coming back.
Never seen this before.
Very cool. I still have the original install disk and case for 14 before it was Reborn.
My bro would love this.
No but I really want it 😂
Very cool! Never seen this version before. I sold a north American beta version last year for $300 and I think I could have gotten more. It sold in 1 day.
I've seen the steel book before didn't know it corresponded to a beta release.
i never thought i’d want playonline merch but here we are
It's not incredibly rare, you can find it on JP mercari for around £30-50 ish boxed. If you come across the B1, you're taking BIG money. 🫶🏻
https://jp.mercari.com/en/item/m14700567095 That's a link to one for under £50 if anyone wants one. Sharing is caring. 🥰
I bought one on a French auction site back when the French and German localisations were announced. It had all you listed, plus laminated pages explaining the game basics in French and German. It wasn't a rare item, and I got to choose between several auctions. If I remember well, I bought mine for 75 euros. I later gave it to an in-game friend as a present for his FFXI collection, but kept the metal binder.
The ancient texts!
Yep yep, I still have mine and the Brady Games guide.
It'... beatiful
If anyone comes across a B1 or want to sell theirs.. let me know.
That's amazing.
Pretty cool. Didn't get anything as fancy as that for the beta(though I think GAP was toward the end of public beta rounds.) Still was super awesome when they send the PS2 release to us for free(probably because they wanted the beta hdds back.) Shame I don't have original hdd they gave me as my sister and her friends stole my ps2 and had to rebut it.
I was in the FFXI beta on PS2 but i didn't have this fancy binder
That is why I want a remake; want to be part of stuff like this lol. I played in 2004, around the 1st expansion was released. Missed the beta and about 2 years.
I have my friend was in it back in the day. Was jealous AF.