FFXIV starting dates and important things.

Beta Phase 4
Beta Phase 4 characters will NOT be wiped. (Unless critical bug/glitch appears)
Beta Phase 4 will have a lvl cap of 20, but other than that have everything the same as live version.
Beta Phase 4 starts the 16th (if you played in Beta Phase 3). If you didn't play BP3 then it's the 17th.
Beta Phase 4 ends the 19th.

Early Access
Early access starts the 24th and lasts till 26th.
Servers will not go down between early access and launch.

Live version
Game is launching the 27th
Keep in mind that you can create and start playing your character as early as August the 16th
Anyone that has a v.1.0 account will be able to play for free from August 27th till September 9th

Other noticeable things
Payment methods: Credit Card, Crysta, Game Time Cards
Arcanist confirmed to be in beta phase 4 (Arcanist - DPS, Summoner - DPS, Summoner - Healer)
Fishing confirmed to be in beta phase 4
Job specific mounts and mounts obtainable through other means confirmed. (Unicorn for White Mage shown)
Marriage system confirmed
Veteran system based on subscription length https://i.imgur.com/S2LauHh.jpg

Ima get the 60 day subscription for my bikini and that's about it for now.
The 1st 30 is very good tho, a complete character remake is handy.

They'r introducing swimsuits a week from launch though through an event!

The Crystal tower 24 man raid, will be available for version 2.1 in 3-4 months.

This means the 1st big update is planned about 3~4 months after release.
And we probably won't see anything bigger than 8 man dungeons until then either.

Do Collectors edition. 1.0 get early access? or only the new pre-orders?

Facade wrote:

Do Collectors edition. 1.0 get early access? or only the new pre-orders?

No early access for v1 CE unless Legacy.

Facade wrote:

Do Collectors edition. 1.0 get early access? or only the new pre-orders?

Yeah, pre-order only.
I disagree with this shit tho, cuz I got the game ($70 paid for it unlike current low price) and ain't buying it again.
I don't mind paying for pre-order or a product containing this or even if I could use the pre-order game as a 30 day time card.
But since nothing of this is there, I'm cancelling my pre-order as soon as I get my key on the 20th.