The month of September is off to a great start as the fourteenth installment from the internationally popular Final Fantasy series, FFXIV, launches its much-anticipated open beta test.

The schedules are as follows: August 31, 19:00 PDT; September 1, 2:00 GMT; and September 1, 11:00 JST.

Having second thoughts? We’ll have you know that game developer and publisher Square Enix is handing out incentives for FFXI players making the move over to FFXIV. All the time spent leveling and FFXIV gil farming surely won’t go to waste.

To begin with, players with both FFXI AND FXIV accounts linked to their Square Enix account will get a major subscription fee discount—$12.95 to $7.00 per month. Next, players will also obtain the Hermes’ shoes, an exclusive in-game item that increases movement speed. The third bonus is the name transfer. A character name used from the linked Final Fantasy XI account is open for transfer to Final Fantasy XIV.

ETA: Square Enix recently released an official statement announcing the postponement of the open beta. Detection of critical bugs was cited as the reason.

A new web-based mini-game for STO has just been released, as announced by video game developer Cryptic Studios and video game publisher Atari.

The mini-game, Star Trek Online Architect, allows players to build and design their own ships and enter them in the gallery. It also includes the Ship Shaper feature, where players have to build starships as quickly as possible and must place parts in the right locations to earn points and extra time.

It is now live on the official website.

What happens in Vegas…won’t stay in Vegas. At least, not when you’re a contributing guest blogger for Sony Online Entertainment.

SOE is hosting the official Fan Faire 2010 – Backstage Blogger Contest, a venue for fans to express their love for their favorite SOE games.  Contest runs from June 16 to July 1, 11:59 p.m. PDT and up to four winners will be crowned as Backstage Bloggers.

These lucky winners will be awarded one Sony bloggie™ Camera Kit, one Fan Faire Platinum Pass and granted special access to post their blogs, in video or written format, on the SOE Station Blog for the entire duration of Fan Faire.

For more details, visit the official contest rules page.

Get ready for a “weeklong celebration of life, love and friendship” brought to you by EQII’s one and only Festival of Unity!

Festivities will officially commence on the Sunday of June 6 with an Opening Ceremony at 3:00 EST. Go gallivanting around Antonica as you take part in the Battle of the Bards, be a witness in Zanadi & Omago’s wedding, challenge yourself in the RP Duels, bid in the Date Auction and participate in a multitude of other events.

Last day is on June 12 so you have plenty of time to join in the merriment.

It just keeps getting bigger and better for the Trials of the Magians!

As posted in the official website, the Final Fantasy XI Development Team has announced various additions to the quest line, noting further weapon enhancements and introducing the Magian Spectacles, a tool that summons a Magian trial log allowing for an easier assessment of one’s progress.

They also mentioned that these upcoming updates are just nothing but the tip of the iceberg as future changes will pave the way for “the most challenging and rewarding trials yet.”

This year, Square Enix has pulled out all the stops to make FFXI’s 8th Anniversary celebrations their biggest event yet. After presenting the annual art contest and the Mog Bonanza, they have now just announced the release of a deluxe edition soundtrack album.

Titled “FINAL FANTASY XI 8th Anniversary: Memories of Dusk and Dawn”, the full album is now available in iTunes for $9.99. 20 of the 27 tracks are by Japanese video game composer and musician Naoshi Mizuta while the rest of the compilation feature works of other Japanese artists by the likes of Kumi Tanioka, Noriko Matsueda, and Nobuo Uematsu.

The music is vast and varied—from the calming zen sounds of “The Sanctuary of Zitah” to the fan favorite final battle theme “Awakening”, there is something for everyone.

Don’t let those artistic talents go to waste, FFXI fans!

Square-Enix is back once again with its annual Fan Art Contest, in time for the game’s eight year anniversary celebration on May 16. An all-star judging panel will be reviewing the artworks and selecting the winners who will then be taking home the Nomad Moogle Rod.

Not to forget is the special 8th anniversary bonus. For the Crystal and Mythril Prize awardees, a Chocobo Beret, the in-game item presented to VanaFest 2010 attendees in Tokyo, will also be awarded to them.

Contest runs until June 16 and only one entry is allowed for each participant. Best of luck to those who’ve joined and will be joining!

Funcom has announced the Loyal Crocodile, a social pet designed to follow you as you venture through the game up until the Rise of the Godlsayer expansion, a free, exclusive AoC item.

In partnership with MMORPG.com, they are releasing a limited number of keys which will be needed to claim the pet. 5,681 keys are left as of this writing so claim yours right now to make sure you get one.

Just released yesterday, EverQuest II’s Ebony Complete Home Set is the newest addition to the Station Marketplace.

Get your Station Cash ready if you want to be the proud owner of this latest home furniture set. From bookshelves to nightstands to loveseats, it’s got everything you need to spruce up your in-game pad.

You have the option of buying them individually but note that it would most likely set you back a couple of SCs more.

From April 27 to May 3, the full package of Final Fantasy XI can be yours for only $14.99 at Gamestop.com. Digital download is also available for the price of $11.

The collection comes with the award-winning original game plus all four expansions:  Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, Treasures of Aht Urhgan, and Wings of the Goddess and three add-on scenarios namely A Crystalline Prophecy, A Moogle Kupo d’Etat, and A Shantotto Ascension.

Packed in an easy-to-install DVD format, the set is available for Windows PC and Xbox 360.