A couple days ago Square Enix released three mysterious screenshots of the content that will be available in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn when the open beta will open its floodgates some time next month.

Today Director and Producer Naoki Yoshida took to the beta forum to explain what those screenshots are all about, giving us a glimpse on some of the more challenging content that players will soon have to brave.

Producer and Director Yoshida here.
Though I will be touching on this in the next Letter from the Producer, I’m happy to say that the development team is working hard towards release and are currently making the final adjustments to the latter-half of the scenario, as well as the battle content. I’m participating in these checks personally, of course, and we’re also enlisting all of the hardcore MMO players in the company to help out.

Battle with Rhitahtyn sas Arvina from the Garlean Empire
This is part of the latter-half of the scenario, and it’s a battle you can use the duty finder with. Oh, and it looks like there are some pet jobs present…

Demon Wall in Amdapor Keep
This is a high-difficulty dungeon for four level 50 players after clearing the scenario. It’s filled with things we couldn’t do in version 1.0 and you can bet it’s hard.

Garuda Battle (Hard)
This is the hard Garuda battle that was in version 1.0. We’ve made adjustments for ARR’s battle system as well as other changes. I hope all you version 1.0 players check it out!

Yoshida-san also mentioned that the DPS counter visible in the last screenshot is for debug purposes only, and won’t be available to players.

Also, in the debug commands shown, everyone’s DPS is displayed in the log and adjustments are made based on the data we gather for how much DPS it will take to defeat an enemy in relation to the ideal DPS value. (Even I get a little excited when people start talking about checking DPS, but for the time being we don’t have any plans on adding a DPS command. Sorry about that.)

It was also shared that while the first three phases of the beta didn’t feature voice overs, voice acting will finally be implemented for the open beta and we’ll finally be able to check out the voice work done on the main storyline. We already know that the Japanese cast is top-notch. Hopefully the English one will be up to par as well.

As a final funny tidbit, we got a screenshot of the “GM jail”, where unruly players will be put to reflect on their misgivings. Apparently the restrictions in place are really harsh, and even commands like /sit are unavailable. You’ve been warned.

While we wait for a firm date for the beginning of the open beta, make sure to check out my hands-on preview of the closed beta, nicely decorated with a whopping 723 screenshots.