New information for Final Fantasy XIV has just been sent out, including system specs, standard and collector's edition details, and the PC release date. I'm not going to even try and hide my excitement for this game; I've been waiting excitedly for Final Fantasy XIV since it was announced. Hearing that the final version of the game will be seeing a worldwide release in late September has pleased me greatly. PS3 owners will likely be disappointed though, as the console release is due in March of 2011.

Purchasers of Final Fantasy XIV's Collector's Edition ($74.99) will gain early access to Eorzea on September 22, 2010. Standard Edition ($49.99) owners will have to wait for the global release on September 30. Despite rumors that the MMO had been delayed as far back as 2011, the new release information is astonishing. Final Fantasy XIV's release is less than three months away!

The Collector's Edition, which you can see in the image above, comes with some interesting items. In addition to the 8 days of early access, here are the other objects included in the box:

  • Security Token - A Final Fantasy XIV branded Security Token for use with your regular password. With account hacking becoming commonplace, it's nice to see Square taking extra  effort to help users secure their information. Also, gadgets are fun!
  • Travel Journal - Record your travels in this beautifully bound journal filled with pages of never-before-seen concept art. I believe most fans would prefer more art and less journal, but the combination is probably better than some of the "art books" I've seen MMOs dish out in the past.
  • Behind the Scenes DVD - Get an insider look at the making of Final Fantasy XIV, with exclusive video content, interviews and more in this special documentary DVD. A simple and easily included bonus feature, but you know that it's a rare occurrence for anyone to watch something like this more than once.
  • Right of Passage - Redeem a voucher to receive your fully-personalized Right of Passage Certificate, each stamped with a Unique serial number. Will this be anything more than sheet of paper with your name and a number written on it? Still, I suppose fans love the feeling of exclusivity, which something like this Right of Passage thing performs admirably.
  • In-Game Item "The Onion Helm" - Collector's Edition preorders will include a reward code for an exclusive in-game item. I hope it looks just like the classic helm-with-a-large-feathery-plume from early Final Fantasy games!
  • Amano Cover - Special PC Collector's Edition illustration by renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano. You can see the art on the box cover in the header image.
  • Early Access - Play 8 days prior to the release of the Windows PC Standard Edition (timing of access subject to initial server capacity).
  • The Requisites - Also included are you stander game disc, manual, and free month of gameplay.

The standard edition of Final Fantasy XIV will come with a simple manual, game disc and a month of free gameplay. If you preorder it though, you'll receive a reward code for the exclusive in-game item the Garlond Goggles.

The Collector's Edition doesn't seem to include any excessively extravagant items, but the price does reflect that. I've bought similar Collector's Editions for twenty or thirty dollars more! Then again, I intend to play the Final Fantasy XIV for (hopefully) much more than a single month, and I think Collector's Editions are a great way to kick off a long gaming relationship.

The system specifications might be a little daunting for some MMO players though, especially considering there will be quite a few migrants from the much less graphically intensive Final Fantasy XI. I have a few friends who are stepping up to the plate and upgrading for the wave of new MMOs coming out soon.

Here are Final Fantasy XIV's Beta system requirements:

  • Operating System - Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista 32bit/64bit SP2, Windows 7 32bit/64bit
  • CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo (2.0GHz); AMD Athlon X2 (2.0GHz)
  • Memory - Windows XP: 1.5GB or more; Windows Vista/7: 2GB or more.
  • HDD/SSD Space - 15GB or more.
  • Graphics Card - NVIDIA GeForce 9600 series or higher with VRAM 512MB or more; ARI Radeon HD 2900 series or higher with VRAM 512MB or more.
  • Sound Card - DirectSound compatible sound card.
  • Internet Connections - Broadband internet connection or higher.
  • Resolution - 1280 x 720 or higher; 32bit or higher.
  • DirectX - DirectX 9.0c or better.
  • Other - Mouse, keyboard, or gamepad.

In addition to all of that new information, Square Enix is saying that the official beta for Final Fantasy XIV will be starting in early July, which means sometime over the next week or two. There's no information provided on any sort of open beta.

Final Fantasy XIV, with its Armoury class system, Guild Leeves quest system, and Aetheryte transport system seems more accessible than ever. Game Rant is already discussing putting together a group of players interested in the MMO.

Excited that Final Fantasy XIV is releasing so soon? Going to be picking the game up? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, Ranters!

Final Fantasy XIV will be hitting shelves on September 30 worldwide, for the PC, and then in March 2011 for the PS3 (but not the 360).