Downloading the Game

[Sines]

So, a friend of mine decided he'd try playing FFXI. Having not played in ages, I figured I'd give it another go. It took me a bit, but I managed to retrieve my old account info, thanks to the chat support.

But now, I found myself with nowhere to get the actual game. After a great deal of searching, I managed to see a 14 day trial for FFXI, which I figured must come with a client. I'm downloading that right now.

But then I saw a post on these forums about how there was nowhere to get the client for free, a post made by a SE rep. Is the client I'm downloading right now not going to work with my old account? Is it going to evaporate after 14 days? Whats the issue here?

I'd really like to not have to buy a game I already own just so that I can install a game that requires me to already be paying a subscription fee to get past the title screen.

[Economizer]

Is the client I'm downloading right now not going to work with my old account? Is it going to evaporate after 14 days? Whats the issue here?

Quite the pain really, but the free trial download is just the game, but without any of the expansions, as far as I know.

For downloading everything, your only options are to buy the game and all the expansions (which is worth it, because it is cheaper to buy a new copy, apply it to an old account, then to buy expansions separately) from a place that offers digital download, like SE's website, or Steam. It's that or borrow a disk from a friend, or break some of SE's rules (I'm not sure if it is the EULA or the ToS here) and get it from some website's download of the game and hope there is no malware hidden in the download.

Honestly, if you're missing Abyssea ($30 for all three parts) or just want the cool hat they hand out with the game these days, buy it for $20 and be able to download it. If not, the trial should get you partway there.

[Sines]

Really? I do not get that. What is Squares angle here? FFXI is a product that requires a monthly subscription to enjoy. That subscription fee completely prevents you from pirating the game. There's a reason I don't have to buy a new graphics card when I lose the driver disk.

*sigh*

Still, I do not have Abyssea, so I wouldn't be paying for something I already have, but it's still the principle of the thing, y'know? It's a lot like FFXI itself. Never provide assistance to the player, or anything that would make his life easier. Still, this is pretty bad marketing, especially since I had to look for an hour before I found the free trial even exists. If this were any other game, I'd have long since given up.

For reference, is it possible to buy a physical copy and attach it to Steam or Squenix, so I can have a physical disc (my apartment is not a great place to download large files), and then be able to download it online at a later date, should I misplace the CD? I don't think any new expansions will be coming out (correct me if I'm wrong) and if I lose a disc with Abyssea on it, I really would have to buy a game I already own.

Also, what does Abyssea actually bring to the game? I think I stopped playing around the time it started coming out, and I think it was all post 75 material. Which is further on in the game than I would probably have ever gotten to. Aht Urgan and Wings of the Goddess both brought in new classes (including my much beloved PUP and SCH), so even though I didn't make much use of their content, I still enjoyed them. I didn't get the idea that that was the case for Abyssea, that there was anything to enjoy before level 70. But again, that was a long time ago for me and it wasn't even actually out then, so I could be wrong.

[RAIST]

We've always had to buy the new expansions. If you left in the days of TAU or WotG, there's been a considerable amount of new stufff added that will need to be bought--unless you want to flounder about in the older areas I guess.

You can get the whole ball of wax as a $20 Digital download for the PC from various places, including but not limited to Gamestop, Steam, etc. This includes all expansions and add-on scenarios (that's FFXI, RotZ, CoP, TAU, WotG, and the key also unlocks ACP, MKD, ASA, Visions, Scars, and Heroes). That's right, a single key that unlocks all of it. You can burn that package off onto a DVD for backup and stash it in a safe place.

Otherwise, you would need to buy all the expansions/scenarios you don't have, which might run you upwards of $10 each (bargain bin in the back of a store, or used copies) for those on disc--the last 6 scenarios have no physical medium, as their content is downloaded in the updates and unlocked when you purchase the keys for them. An added benefit to buying the DLC package--it unlocks everything in one shot.

In other words, $20 for EVERYTHING is going to be considerably cheaper than going out and buying the individual expansions/add-ons you're missing--and will greatly streamline your installation process.

As to what Abyssea content is....it's basically a post-75 playground. Exp. Points come absurdly fast, and players have found a way to exploit this to slingshot jobs from level 30 to 99 in record time (have to be level 30 to enter). It also has easily obtained gear for your post 75 jobs as well (cheap gear you can purchase, and a higher level of JSE that is typically referred to as AF3, AF3 +1, and AF3+2), as well as monsters you will farm to complete some of the best weapons in the game (to date).

There is one more physical expansion on the horizon that has been announced, due out in the next year in the last announcement about it. This will be on the scale of TAU--whole new region (not rehashed zones, all new areas), with new activities, and new jobs. If past release history is any indication, there will likely be one more massive package released eventually that includes the new SoA content, but who knows when that will happen.

For getting back in game now though, it may be best to get your hands on the latest complete collection. It's the Abyssea Edition. Once in a while it even goes on sale--last time I think the DLC was on Steam for like $10. There have been a couple compilations released since 2008--if you are buying a collection, make sure what you get includes Abyssea, or you will need to purchase those keys seperately for a total of $30 (or buy the proper $20 collection) to gain access.

[Arcon]

I can only recommend Steam in that regard. Very quick downloads, and can re-download it every time you need. Note that they only offer a bare version though, and you'll still need to update it through the game menu, but it's the same for all other online vendors to my knowledge. It's SE's fault more than Steam's.

[Mirage]

There is no point in restarting the game if you do not intend to get Abyssea and WoTG, really. Considering you do not have those, getting the steam version of the all-expansions bundle would give you absolutely everything you need for a lower cost than buying the expansions separately.

[Sines]

Why do people keep thinking I don't have WotG? I mentioned having Scholar.

Also, where did I say I was buying multiple things seperately? Is there not some 'full package' version with Abyssea available at Best Buy or something? I'm getting a bit confused here. Does whatever I could get at Best Buy have Abyssea but not the mini-expansions?

[Mirage]

You didn't, I said it would be cheaper and that you would need them anyway. As far as I know, there is no free client download, but considering you need a few new things anyway, it doesn't matter.

If something is a bundle that includes abyssea, it most likely includes everything else too.

[Arcon]

Also, where did I say I was buying multiple things seperately? Is there not some 'full package' version with Abyssea available at Best Buy or something? I'm getting a bit confused here. Does whatever I could get at Best Buy have Abyssea but not the mini-expansions?

That's what we've been trying to tell you, Steam has the Ultimate Collection, which includes every expansion for 20 bucks. It comes with everything bundled. I don't even think you can buy the expansions on their own at all anymore, unless you buy them used from somewhere. I don't know about BestBuy, but if they have this collection, it will also include everything else.

[Sarick]

You want the main expansions PLUS all the codes for extra expansions and the special hat? The link below is for the download and codes for everything. You an use the code to unlock all current expansions. It will be on sale real cheap this Friday.

Check HERE

As of this edit it is 4.99!!

Black Friday deal.