Are we going to be able to play past the areas from previous betas? That is what will bring me back to actually play in this beta cycle.

I guess what I mean is can we get past the level gated areas? I don't see that in the beta notes/

If I understand your question correctly. There are new areas to explore (I think they are the ones after level 17) Not 100% certain if they are the level gated areas you are talking about. But, they are new areas that we haven't been to and offer new quests etc., so they haven't been in the previous stress tests.

During this test, you will have access to the following areas:

• Khenarthi’s Roost
• Auridon
• Grahtwood
• Stros M’Kai
• Betnikh
• Glenumbra
• Stormhaven
• Bleakrock Isle
• Bal Foyen
• Stonefalls
• Deshaan
• Cyrodiil

In the last 4 betas at least, the zones in red were closed. This beta, they are open. Those are the level 17+ zones.

Yes, we can play them! They were not playable in previous weekend Beta tests and you receive a permissions error when you entered the empty and lifeless zones. The patch notes in the very first post lists them as accessible. They were listed as accessible in the official patch notes from previous weekend tests. We have whole new zones to explore this weekend!

The plan of attack.

Day 1: Play my current toons and experience the changes including collision detection and dark fissures.

Try to finally make the decision between Templar and Nightblade.

Most importantly, convince myself that the 17+ content is equivalent to the early zones.

Day 2: Once everyone else has created their Imperial and run through the tutorial area, quietly create an Imperial and play though the tutorial area.

if we have to create another character, I will make a High elf or a Wood elf... I played only redguard last time.

Last time I learned about the beta, friday midnight! I waited half day for the download, so I only played about 2 days.. Now I will have 3 full days! I will do more (even if I played little, I made it up to 13lvl!)

New locations? Where?

And it says specifically in the invite that pre-existing characters will be fine.

Do we have new zones available?

People are trolling this thread now it would seem.

Grinding ... people just toss that word out these days. There is absolutely nothing "grindable" necessary in this game.

That is great, good to know. Even with the warning before you could still enter and walk around I was not sure if they were on the list of playable areas but since they are new that makes it much clearer! Much more excited to play this weekend now.

was planning to continue on the one i created last weekend, but will make a new one for sake of tutorial testing and feedback~