SE Needs to Market FFXIV/Offer 10 Day Free Trials

[Lombardi]

One thing that has always baffled me about Square Enix is their lack of ongoing advertising for their MMOs. It seems that after running a few ads during the launch, Square Enix just gives up on trying to market their games. They did this with FFXI and they're doing it again with FFXIV. How is a player base supposed to grow if the only people who know about a game are the ones who bought it at launch?

The other issue is a lack of a risk-free trial for FFXIV. On almost every gaming website I go to I see huge banner ads for other games like Rift, Aion, LOTRO, etc. and each one offers a free trial. Granted, we're all technically playing on a free trial right now but in order to qualify for the extended free trial period we had to first spend $50 or more for the game.

If I was a prospective player who was on the fence about trying FFXIV, there is no way I'd risk spending money on a game that I might not like. However, if SE started running ads for their game on gaming websites (which would probably be the cheapest option) and offered a free trial, prospective players might be more willing to take a chance on the game. Worst case scenario, they download FFXIV, try it for 10 days and then decide its just not for them. In the meantime though, thousands of people who might not otherwise have been exposed to the game will at least have tried it out and a portion of them might even sign up.

So what do you guys think? Would marketing the game a little more and offering a free trial make the game seem less empty? Should they make an ongoing marketing push (starting now) or should they wait until if/when they release an expansion pack and fix the major issues?

[Wynn]

In my opinion, they need to fix this game first and make us want to pay for it before they can even think about giving free trials out to others. I mean, this is currently the longest free trial in history for an mmo and even people that have access now don't want to play it.

[Joeking]

Well.. this site here I frequently purchase games from has the game listed for 4.85EUR that comes with the garlond googles.

4.85 + 2.50 ( Postage) = 7.35 EUR( If i remember correctly)

10.44 USD (American)

9.88 AUD (Australian) <--me

10.25 CAD (Canadian)

So really its not as expensive to begin playing this game...

So for me 9.88 AUD is pretty cheap thats the price of a meal at KFC...

PS : If you live in the UK free postage...

Disclaimer : Figures provided are using current exchange rates at time of post.

[Kiroh]

We already tried that with FFXI, remember?

/randomplayerf9320923u "Herro, u buy gil now? BUY GIL NOW! WHO POOP RAST!?!?!"

We can't have nice things because of hackers, RMT, and idiots.

[Nikita]

We already tried that with FFXI, remember?

/randomplayerf9320923u "Herro, u buy gil now? BUY GIL NOW! WHO POOP RAST!?!?!"

We can't have nice things because of hackers, RMT, and idiots.

All they would have to do is limit the chat functionality of trial accounts, as most other MMOs do. Though, I agree they should wait until FFXIV is in a better position than it is now to hand out free trials.

[Dubont]

Gamestop in the US offers the game, new, with goggles, for $15. New Collectors edition is only $25. This includes the helm.

[Rowyne]

One thing that has always baffled me about Square Enix is their lack of ongoing advertising for their MMOs. It seems that after running a few ads during the launch, Square Enix just gives up on trying to market their games. They did this with FFXI and they're doing it again with FFXIV. How is a player base supposed to grow if the only people who know about a game are the ones who bought it at launch?

They released this amazing commercial in Japan, but we never saw it here. Why is that?

http://jp.finalfantasyxiv.com/#/media/cm

When I asked my local Gamestop if they were going to have a midnight release for FFXIV, I could tell they were trying not to laugh. There just wasn't enough demand.

In my opinion, they need to fix this game first and make us want to pay for it before they can even think about giving free trials out to others. I mean, this is currently the longest free trial in history for an mmo and even people that have access now don't want to play it.

Pretty much. Would you recommend this game to any of your friends while it's in this state? I know most of mine would leave and never come back.

Need to get it in shape before thinking of marketing it.

When it's good, then start playing the above commercial everywhere.

[Wolfie]

In my opinion, they need to fix this game first and make us want to pay for it before they can even think about giving free trials out to others. I mean, this is currently the longest free trial in history for an mmo and even people that have access now don't want to play it.

This is the correct answer. If people try the game when it's in a bad shape, it's going to leave them with a sour taste and they'll never come back. First impressions are the most important thing.

[Joeking]

sour taste and they'll never come back

Hmm..

I guess our pallet preference is different, being a pink pony all you must be eating is sugar and rainbows.

PS: Being that its so cheap I think people will understand the game is awful but the price tag matches its contents.

Thus be neutral.

[viion]

Up until recently if you went onto steam for mmorpgs it'd show XI as num 1. Due to recent sale.