Looking Forward: How Is Heavensward Launch going to handle Physical CE purchasers?

Ok, I know we are months out from Heavensward, and we do not even have a solid (or otherwise) release date on the expansion. That being said, I would like to ask this question soon enough that SE can really think of a proper way to handle this.

Q: How will the launch of Heavensward be handled for those players choosing to purchase the Physical Collector's Edition?

The CE has obviously been put together with a lot of care to entice those of us who routinely purchase Collector's Editions to pick it up. However, in the past with other games and their expansions, those of us who choose to purchase the physical CE have been forced to either 1) Wait for it to come in the mail or 2) Go and pick it up at a store at midnight. Thus eliminating our ability to play with our friends who are raring to go at the launch window. (I have had to do this with everything from FFXI to WoW).

The only choice for those of us who want to play when the expansion goes live and want the Physical CE has been to purchase a digital copy so we can play AND the physical CE for whenever it comes in. (This is made worse if the only place to purchase the Physical CE is the SE store, which does not tend to have things arrive on launch days. Even worse for friends who do not live in the 48 states.)

So let me ask again... How will this be handled? If we purchase the PCE from the SE store will we get a code so we can experience the content as it goes out? Please tell me there is someone who sees this as a real problem.

Also... Will we need to purchase to expansion on multiple platforms? Or will I be able to play on ps4 and pc if I own the base game and one copy of the expac?

I'll try to answer a few of your questions,

* You will need to purchase the game for each platform (PC & PS4) (PS4 is a Sony product and you better believe they want their share of sale commissions)
* Digital River is terrible, expect an email after purchase hours after being charged (Pray you have the code in the email)
* Was mentioned I think in a Live letter or perhaps fan fest (someone else can confirm where), you don't need the buy the expansion to have access to the new area. You will however need it to do some of the content (what they details no one knows yet).

As far as the physical copy I don't think anyone knows and don't expect a vague answer until I want to say end of March

If I order a physical copy of the CE I'm getting it from Amazon, they've gotten me all my other games on launch day. But as I don't particularly care about the physical items I'll likely stick to whatever Digital Deluxe version they offer.

I would think that the best way to handle this would be to include the digital version as part of the physical version. That is, when purchasing the physical version of the game they should still handle the unlock portion of the transaction digitally. Ideally this would be through the mogstation and when you make the purchase it's just automatically activated on your account. That way you're really only waiting for your statue and what not through the mail (and install disc that you'll never use I suppose). The only exception that should exist is the option to declare the purchase a gift. Though ideally that too would allow for a digital unlock before the physical package arrives.

That said, I really doubt that they'll do anything of the sort and you should be wary of how you proceed.

They did an early access thing for A Realm Reborn, in that you were able to play during the weekend before the game official release date, and the early access continued on though that same week so that you could play the game while your physical copy arrived so you could enter the registration code.

If Heavensward does something similar there won't be anything to worry about.

We don't know if the CE will be SE store exclusive or not. Hoping can order it and pick it up at best buy or something. Best Buy is usually bad at getting the game to you on launch day though.

I don't think any stores will be doing midnight openings for FFXIV expansion. So if we are getting physical edition we still have to wait until morning to pick it up. At most people will have an 8-10 head start on you if they bought the digital edition. Otherwise if you ordered online be waiting for the mail / ups guy which could be any time during the day assuming you pay extra for the shipping for them to get it to you on launch day.

If I can get the physical collectors edition I will deal with being a day behind the rest of my friends / FC. just because I will have that sexy Dragon statue to balance out my figure shelf next to the one from Skyrim :)

Ideally Gamestop will have a midnight release, if not, i'll go pick it up first thing in the morning, install and play then, I'm still a little amazed that we don't even have a date range yet other than "Spring" which knowing SE is likely to be like July :(

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Originally Posted by Shane_Leonhart

They did an early access thing for A Realm Reborn, in that you were able to play during the weekend before the game official release date, and the early access continued on though that same week so that you could play the game while your physical copy arrived so you could enter the registration code.

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The thing is every game works the same prelaunch, you get your preorder code and you get to play during headstart and then you have so much time to enter your code once you receive your game in the mail etc. Problem is most games, namely WoW, don't follow the same format for their expansions for some reason. It just gets annoying that to some degree the you get the short end of the stick if you want to buy a physical copy, doubly so if you want the collector's edition, when they could just send out preorder codes again and give you so much time to enter your retail key to continue playing.

Erm...Can someone be so kind as to link where this information for the CE is? I'm not seeing it on the Lodestone. Is it on the Heavensward page?

Ya I can see how physical edition sales could fall if there is no means to get the code early.

For that though it probably would be easy, basically when you buy game from x retailer you get a code and that code would be used to have access to the content for 1 week, and after that week if you don't input the code you can't play the content until you use your physical edition code but that 1 week should be more than enough time for said person's physical copy to arrive.

It would be nice if they gave a temporary unlock code that you would have to replace when the Physical copy arrives, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I'm fully expecting the CE to be SE Store exclusive again and having to wait 3 weeks after launch to get it like the ARR CE since I live north of the border.

It is my guess that hard copies of the game (including CE) will be available for purchase well before the content actually becomes active. You'll buy the game (physical or download, CE or not), install it, and then simply be unable to access any of the new content until the content becomes active for everybody, all at once.

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Originally Posted by Nghthawk

* Was mentioned I think in a Live letter or perhaps fan fest (someone else can confirm where), you don't need the buy the expansion to have access to the new area. You will however need it to do some of the content (what they details no one knows yet).

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I don't remember for certain what they said about what could or could not be accessed if you do not have the expansion, but if they follow the same pattern as in FFXI, you:

- will not be able to access the new areas.
- will not be able to participate in any quests or instances in the new areas (including those for unlocking new jobs)
- will be able to use equipment and items from the new areas, so long as those items are tradable/sellable.
- will be able to level your current jobs to the new level cap.
- will be able to see and interact with other players who have unlocked and are using the new jobs and equipment.

And, while there's no precedent in this case, I strongly suspect that you:

- will not be able to start a character as (or Fantasia to) the new Au Ra race.

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Originally Posted by Nghthawk

* Was mentioned I think in a Live letter or perhaps fan fest (someone else can confirm where), you don't need the buy the expansion to have access to the new area. You will however need it to do some of the content (what they details no one knows yet).

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No. That is not quite true. What was explained by the devs is that you will still be able to see players who are the jobs in the expansion and play with them, but you cannot explore any of that new content (duh). It's part of the expansion and you cannot reach it if you do not have the expansion. But all already available content is still accessable by any player who does not have the expansion.

Anything new introduced in 3.0 will not be accessable to anyone who does not have the expansion. This is common sense, and exactly what Yoshi said.

We’re preparing many things as we head towards the release of Heavensward, and we’re considering offering early access, or a type of pre-order bonus that would allow players to play the expansion when the expansion service starts even if they have yet to receive their physical package.

We’ll let you know more in regards to this via the Lodestone once the preparation is complete and we have further details to share.

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Originally Posted by Grekumah

We’re preparing many things as we head towards the release of Heavensward, and we’re considering offering early access, or a type of pre-order bonus that would allow players to play the expansion when the expansion service starts even if they have yet to receive their physical package.

We’ll let you know more in regards to this via the Lodestone once the preparation is complete and we have further details to share.

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Thank you Grekumah for the response! I really do hope that comes to pass :) In the mean time, can you post the Au Ra and job trailers from the fan fest stream on Youtube?
Its hard to make out the finer details on the premium stream. Some 1080p trailers would be much appreciated :D

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Originally Posted by Grekumah

We’re preparing many things as we head towards the release of Heavensward, and we’re considering offering early access, or a type of pre-order bonus that would allow players to play the expansion when the expansion service starts even if they have yet to receive their physical package.

We’ll let you know more in regards to this via the Lodestone once the preparation is complete and we have further details to share.

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Thanks for the response, I will probably buy the physical CE if you guys go this route. If not then I don't have any intention of getting the physical version since unfortunately mail takes 2-4 weeks for me and there are no game stores in my area.

I don't care much for CE's in general but it all depends on what does the physical copy includes.

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Originally Posted by Kasathar

I don't care much for CE's in general but it all depends on what does the physical copy includes.

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Its actually fairly big because it includes this:
http://i.imgur.com/8TvaBR4.jpg
I dont remember all of what they mentioned in the stream, I think artbook and a DVD as well, but I want it for that dragon. It looks awesome.
The collectors edition box is actually a display for that wyvern statue too, and opens up in front. Was pretty awesome to see in the stream.
http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/...2/3.0CEBox.jpg

I wonder if this is a world wide CE box or the Japan CE box. I know 1.0 had different stuff in the NA and EU box sets. EU got a moldy coffee mug while NA got a cloth map. I hope it will be the same for all regions.

what about if someone plays on both pc and ps4, do we have to buy the expansion for each console ?

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Originally Posted by MageBlack

I wonder if this is a world wide CE box or the Japan CE box. I know 1.0 had different stuff in the NA and EU box sets. EU got a moldy coffee mug while NA got a cloth map. I hope it will be the same for all regions.

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It sounded like in the video that it would be all regions, not just Japan.

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Originally Posted by Vespar

Its actually fairly big because it includes this:
http://i.imgur.com/8TvaBR4.jpg
I dont remember all of what they mentioned in the stream, I think artbook and a DVD as well, but I want it for that dragon. It looks awesome.
The collectors edition box is actually a display for that wyvern statue too, and opens up in front. Was pretty awesome to see in the stream.
http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/...2/3.0CEBox.jpg

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HOLY SH!T! :O

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Originally Posted by MageBlack

.. EU got a moldy coffee mug while NA got a cloth map. I hope it will be the same for all regions.

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My NA copy didn't have no damn cloth map, just some "Adventurer certificate" voucher that never materialized. :mad:

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Originally Posted by Tatsumaki_HT

what about if someone plays on both pc and ps4, do we have to buy the expansion for each console ?

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Yes buddy, unfortunately you'll need 2 copies. :(

Oh let's not forget the Physical CE will also have the digital collector's edition items. I know there is a flying griffon mount for sure.
Oh and Wind up Kain minion and cecil themed helmet.

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Originally Posted by Tatsumaki_HT

what about if someone plays on both pc and ps4, do we have to buy the expansion for each console ?

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I had the same question.

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Originally Posted by Grekumah

We’re preparing many things as we head towards the release of Heavensward, and we’re considering offering early access, or a type of pre-order bonus that would allow players to play the expansion when the expansion service starts even if they have yet to receive their physical package.

We’ll let you know more in regards to this via the Lodestone once the preparation is complete and we have further details to share.

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Somehow i remember release of 2.0 with early "waiting" and 90k fun :)

Early access would be great. That might actually prompt me to buy a digital copy then

I dont mind having to pay for the PC and PS4 versions of the expansion, although i'll only get the CE for the PC version, but i REALLY want that CE. But if it is anything like with the launch of ARR, i only need one copy of the xpansion to be able to use the CE items on both versions, since it is tied to my account and not the system i own it on, compared to the ce being needed for each system you own the game for.

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Originally Posted by Grekumah

We’re preparing many things as we head towards the release of Heavensward, and we’re considering offering early access, or a type of pre-order bonus that would allow players to play the expansion when the expansion service starts even if they have yet to receive their physical package.

We’ll let you know more in regards to this via the Lodestone once the preparation is complete and we have further details to share.

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Thank you much for your response and realizing that a lot of us want to play with all our friends who purchase the expansion digitally (or in some cases our friends who live in different time zones). I look forward to hearing what you all have planned specifically soon.

This is something I had been thinking about myself. I would have liked to buy the boxed copy since this is a special game, but was deterred by potentially not being able to play the second service begins. It is warming to hear of potential early access. I very much want the collector's edition bonuses, in particular Cecil's helm!

Nice to hear that there may be an artbook and cd; I am not the least bit impressed by the generic dragon statue and was pretty much dead set against spending the extra for the physical CE. I wasn't even sure if I would bother with the digital one. I hope SE provides some way for us to purchase the Astrologian cards since they didn't make them part of the physical CE.

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Originally Posted by Grekumah

We’re preparing many things as we head towards the release of Heavensward, and we’re considering offering early access, or a type of pre-order bonus that would allow players to play the expansion when the expansion service starts even if they have yet to receive their physical package.

We’ll let you know more in regards to this via the Lodestone once the preparation is complete and we have further details to share.

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This sounds an awful lot like servers will be down for a significant amount of time, similar to how 1.0 lead into 2.0. I certainly don't expect the full year downtime, but enough to warrant early access to 3.0? Can you clarify on that detail please?

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Originally Posted by Taelyn

This sounds an awful lot like servers will be down for a significant amount of time, similar to how 1.0 lead into 2.0. I certainly don't expect the full year downtime, but enough to warrant early access to 3.0? Can you clarify on that detail please?

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Pretty sure he simply means that those who preorder will have access to the new areas before others can travel there. Not that the game will be down for an extended period of time.

My only hope is they don't make it Online store Only for the Physical CE... Like they did with all the lasts CE edition of FF and KH games.. They charge a very excessive 35$ to ship a 3DS game.. what's it gonna be for a box that size >_<

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Originally Posted by MageBlack

I wonder if this is a world wide CE box or the Japan CE box. I know 1.0 had different stuff in the NA and EU box sets. EU got a moldy coffee mug while NA got a cloth map. I hope it will be the same for all regions.

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If i remember it right, the ARR CE boxes were the same.

The cloth map was also included in the 1.0 CE EU box. The mug, the map, item code for the onion helmet, the diary book, the security token and a buddy pass (a second registry code of the game you can give to a friend).

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Originally Posted by Taelyn

This sounds an awful lot like servers will be down for a significant amount of time, similar to how 1.0 lead into 2.0. I certainly don't expect the full year downtime, but enough to warrant early access to 3.0? Can you clarify on that detail please?

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there would be no early access. They will give out preorder-codes, so that people, who preordered it and have not the box in the hand at patch day, will be able to enter the new zones instead to still waiting for their box.

I Kind of want ti physic copy, but I know for a face that I love digitals copies.

What stores will the CE be sold at? Its not on Best Buy's website, or Gamestop, or Amazon to pre order. Any more details on this?

Quickest place to keep an eye on it would be SE's own store. http://store.na.square-enix.com/stor.../startIndex.0/
thats for their FFXIV stuf, hopeing the link works ok.
As to something like early access or whatnot, that'd be great since I didnt get the 2.0 CE for almost a week and a half at launch

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Originally Posted by Tatsumaki_HT

what about if someone plays on both pc and ps4, do we have to buy the expansion for each console ?

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I’m sure that you are all curious about many details regarding Heavensward! We will be releasing more and more information on the Heavensward site as we move forward, so please stay tuned!

I tried clicking that Heavensward link for the main site and it's not loading anymore. I've seen it before. Is it being redone due to the Job announcements?

You can now add your email to the mailing list when the CE is put up for preorder on the SE store.

https://ffxiv.na.square-enix.com/