For me, it wasn't a big deal in FFXI, but I was disappointed at that too.
I'm guessing that only major cutscenes are going to be voiced (but I'm surprised that even the opening scene isn't considered major). I mean, it's pretty off putting that your first 'epic moment' in the game is almost completely silent, with lips moving and no voices coming out. Not a great welcome to the game.
Or maybe they just scrapped the idea of voice acting altogether. Dunno.
TERA's storyline had tons of voiced cutscenes, so I guess I'm just spoiled...
After watching the extremely lackluster intro sequences compared to 1.0 I was assuming that they didn't add video/audio content for the beta. This would cut down on the file size and leave some nice stuff for when the game is released.
After watching the extremely lackluster intro sequences compared to 1.0 I was assuming that they didn't add video/audio content for the beta. This would cut down on the file size and leave some nice stuff for when the game is released.
I pray your right, the dead silence made the scenes feel hollow somehow. It's like watching a movie with no music or sound effects it just lacks something.
Videos have been edited / are not 100% what they will be at final release.
Voiceovers are cut from the game in beta for contractual reasons, apparently contracts (I suspect JP voice actors more than EN ones, voice acting is huge in Japan) do not allow material to be used before the final product is commercially available.
I'm quite sure voiceovers will include the main quest and other events. Can't be sure about the class quests. Definitely not the random NPC quests.
I remember seeing one scene that involved a flashback to the midgardsormr event that did have some voice-over work (but not complete voice over), so there's a chance that the amount of voice-over was a bit oversold?
Phase 3 will more closely resemble the release version of the game, opening up the three main city-states of Gridania, Limsa Lominsa, and Ul'dah, and their surrounding areas for testing. We will also transfer character data from Version 1.0 during this phase, and ask that players with Version 1.0 data test with those characters to ensure they have been transferred properly. Although players will be able to experience more of the main scenario, core elements of the story as well as voices will remain hidden.
Yeah, I forgot that that trailed show off voice acting... so I'm going to assume at least some cutscenes will be voiced.
Hopefully the early cutscenes are voiced and just not fully implemented in beta, because that's when people decide if they like the game and that's when you're being introduced to the world/lore.
Phase 3 will more closely resemble the release version of the game, opening up the three main city-states of Gridania, Limsa Lominsa, and Ul'dah, and their surrounding areas for testing. We will also transfer character data from Version 1.0 during this phase, and ask that players with Version 1.0 data test with those characters to ensure they have been transferred properly. Although players will be able to experience more of the main scenario, core elements of the story as well as voices will remain hidden.
Yeah the lack of voice overs was kind of jarring, but like other's have said, I'm almost positive that they will be in, in Phase 4/Release.
I also hope/think that Yoshi has a couple of cards up his sleeve for Phase 4/Release. And will add not only add the remaining level 30+ content, but other things at lower levels as well.