As the time draws ever closer for Final Fantasy XIV to level up into a beta, Dengeki sat down with Producer Hiromichi Tanaka, Director Nobuaki Komoto and Planner Kenichi Iwao to discuss the progress of the game thus far.  Some of this article has been leaked already, and various tidbits can be found around different fansites.  Let's take a look through the article itself and confirm exactly what the developers said.

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This week, Famitsu released a full, official map of the land of Eorzea.  Limsa Lominsa, where alpha testers have been spending their time, is visible near the bottom left.  The port city is situated next to a big island, which cuts it off from the rest of the main continent.  Perhaps this is why it was chosen to host the initial alpha testing; a natural barrier of water keeps players confined, which negates the need to manually construct obstacles.

On the mainland, Ul'dah is in the desert to the south, and Gridinia is nestled within forests mid-continent.  However, there seems to be another large city, in the Aldenard Mountains - Ishgard.  The starting cities have already been decided, but could this city in the mountains serve as a "Jeuno" i.e. central hub of activity in Eorzea?

At the top left, shrouded in clouds, is the Garlean Empire.  We still do not know much about them, but have been lead to believe they will one of the main antagonists of the story as they attempt to conquer Eorzea.

Perhaps an update on the official FFXIV site will make things a little clearer.  In the meantime, feel free to check out the above map and discuss your own findings on the ZAM Forums!

The Alpha Test has begun and things are running... well, they're running.  Information continues to pour out through Japanese publications, and this week we have an exclusive interview between Famitsu and Final Fantasy XIV Producer Hiromichi Tanaka and his faithful director, Nobuaki Komoto.

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As you can see on the above map (put together by Japanese fansite FF14-FAN) there is a lot to see and do in just this one starting area.  Over the past weeks, several Japanese gaming sites have been allowed to write about their experiences in the alpha and post pictures, so now we can bring you a collection of shots from around Limsa Lominsa, along with a little information about the city-state.]

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Dengeki magazine was lucky enough to get a shot at the alpha build for Final Fantasy XIV.  They printed most of the information we saw yesterday in Famitsu, but also got some time to sit down with Producer Hiromichi Tanaka and Director Nobuaki Komoto!  Together, they discussed details of the alpha and plans for the progression of beta testing.

Check out the details below.

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In the latest Famitsu, magazine writers were able to get a up close and personal look at the Final Fantasy XIV Alpha Test!  They wrote all about what players can expect, and provided some very juicy information and pictures for us to enjoy.

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First things first: the Japanese Final Fantasy XIV website now plays the classic theme of the Final Fantasy series!  Check it out.

The gaming magazine business is a crafty one.  During the month of March, we have seen pieces of a single interview that overlapped and got reprinted several times.  Now the monthlies hit the shelves, and Famitsu PSP+PS3 claims to have the same interview, covering the same topics, within its glossy pages.  

But what's this?  It's the COMPLETE version!  That implies something was missing before.  "If you don't buy me, you might miss out," cries Famitsu PSP+PS3.  So fine, I'll pass up my Honey Orange Latte and get you instead.

Now, what secrets do you hold?

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Waiting anxiously for the Final Fantasy XIV alpha to begin?  Dengeki Games hit bookstores today with a little extra information to tide everyone over.

Let's take a look!

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This post may look the same -- but it's not!  Dengeki magazine also put together an interview with the developers from Final Fantasy XIV, and got their comments on each class as well!  The editors over there love to publish their comments whenever possible, so you can see them interspersed throughout the interview.  They are centered and marked with a é›» for Dengeki.  Keep in mind, their comments are pure speculation.

Alright, let's check it out!

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Lots of information this time around!  Famitsu has a giant spread for Final Fantasy XIV this week that featured a number of job classes, complete with Abilities and Weapon Skills!  They also found the time to grab three developers for an interview: Atsushi Okada 岡田厚志, FFXIV Battle Planner; Sei Sato 佐藤制, FFXIV Planner; and Kenichi Iwao 岩尾賢一, FFXIV Planner.

Let's jump into the interview first, and then see what the developers had to say about each job!

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