FFXIV open beta delayed due to "critical bugs"

Square has postponed the FFXIV open beta, which was due to begin in the US tonight, due to "critical bugs".

The following has just been posted on the game's official site:

FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Postponed

FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test, which is scheduled to begin at 19:00 (PDT) on Aug. 31, 2010, will be postponed due to a confirmation of critical bugs. New schedule will be released at a later date.

Along with the postponement of FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test, the issuing of registration code for FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test will be postponed as well. With the download of client software's installer, it will be suspended at 19:00 (PDT) on Aug. 31, 2010.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Slam on the brakes

The news comes after the company only this morning put an official timing on the release of the game's beta, saying the test will go live at 2.00am UK time tomorrow.

Said the company in a tweet:

“The FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test begins on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 2:00 (GMT)! We hope to see everyone participate!”

The company had previously gave the same timing to RPGSite, as was widely reported.

Beta servers were to go live tonight at 7.00pm on the US West Coast.

As Massively notes, closed beta players are now downloading the new, open client, with the latest patch standing at 1.24Gb.

Various UI, chat and emote changes have been made to the game over the closed beta, as detailed by FFXIVCore.

Final Fantasy XIV launches at the end of next month, with early access to players who get the collector's edition on September 22.

The PS3 version is out in March next year, with the delay down to memory issues, according to producer Hiromichi Tanaka.

Here's the TGS trailer again. Purdy, i'nt she?