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.

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!

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.