Here's is a big update for everyone. The developers estimate that it could take them a couple of months to finish the full island system.

HOWEVER!

Our discussion about the scaled down version of the Island system is going very well. Not only do they seem agreeable to this idea as I had described it in my last update, but it shouldn't take them very long to implement because it doesn't involve nearly as much coding as the full version.

So now we are discussing the possibility of running a 2nd closed beta once we get this update from them that would include the scaled down island system along with the other 3 changes they already finished. I have put up a poll to see how much interest there would be in doing this.

Update #5
Taken from the Turf Battles Aeria Games Forums, by AndoSky.
Original Announcement can be found here.

In an attempt to get things moving along faster, we are now discussing with developers on how they can possibly give us a scaled down version of the islands initially, and then the full version after that. So far the discussion is going very well. Here's what we're asking for, though no guarantee they'll be able to do this right away:

* 5 teleports added to the crystal room
* Each teleport will take players to an island
* Teleports are restricted by level bracket
* Each island will consist of open pvp with no penalties (similar rules to soccerfield)
* A potion well will randomly move around on each island
* No monsters will spawn (yet)
* No tribe battles (yet)
* No rewards (yet)
* No pk point system (yet)
* Cannot capture the islands (yet)

Again, I want to emphasize that this is just to get things moving along faster and should not have any impact on the full version of the islands that is being developed for Open Beta

Update #4
Taken from the Turf Battles Aeria Games Forums, by AndoSky.
Original Announcement can be found here.

The new estimate for when we'll get the PvP penalty and Potion Cap changes in our version is the middle of July once the developers are done merging it into our version and testing it.

I'm following-up to find out if there will be any expected delays in the other changes they are working on for us.

Update #3
Taken from the Turf Battles Aeria Games Forums, by AndoSky.
Original Announcement can be found here.

Ok, turns out they decided not to add those changes into the Korean version. However we should be getting the patch for that in our version next week I'm now told.
On another note, the devs are also not sure yet about whether they want to add the islands into their version. However that shouldn't matter too much, they are now nearly done with the design and after a few revisions it seems to be coming together well.
To View Image Click Here
Soon this room will begin to see a lot of activity again :P

Update #2
Taken from the Turf Battles Aeria Games Forums, by AndoSky.
Original Announcement can be found here.

The developers have hired the new person who is going to be working on the Islands for us. Currently he is getting up to speed on things I am told. Also we've been answering some questions that the developers had about how the Islands use to work. I'm expecting to see a design document from the Devs before too long.

Update #1
Taken from the Turf Battles Aeria Games Forums, by AndoSky.
Original Announcement can be found here.

I've been informed that Potion Cap and PK Penalty changes have been made, however they still need to be added to our version. My guess is we should get these updates by next week so we can test them. Also the developers asked us what ideas we had for items to sell in the Item Mall that aren't in Sephiroth, so we sent them some. Overall they seem happy with our suggestions

Thanks Morbid And Jeirhart For The Sigs!