I feel cheated buying SE prodcut

[parrywang]

I'm a new PC player from Singapore whose trial account is going to expire in 2 days. Since this is the very first time for me to purchase Square Enix product, I totally have no idea where to upgrade my account and how much it cost.

I login to the official website of FF14 (http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com) and from there I clicked the "BUY NOW" image on the top right corner of the page which brought me to the Online Store （https://store.na.square-enix.com/final-fantasy-xiv). I purcahsed the "BEST SELLER" of "FINAL FANTASY® XIV: A REALM REBORN™ [PC DOWNLOAD]" which cost $19.99 because I THOUGHT that's the one I need to buy to upgrade my trial account to regular one.

Of cause, my account wasn't upgraded until I figure out the right way to upgrade my account: open the FFXIV Launcher, click 'Account' button below, then I was brought to ANOTHER online store (https://secure.square-enix.com/accou...gstation/），and from there I paid $24.99 and finally got my account upgraded.

[parrywang]

After wasting $19.99, I really feel cheated by SE, and I got a couple of enquiries below:

1. Why SE decide to build two online store system as below which is very MISLEADING for new players?

a. https://store.na.square-enix.com/final-fantasy-xiv
b. https://secure.square-enix.com/accou...vc/mogstation/

2. FF14 is free to be downloaded and installed in PC, what's the purpose to sell it as "FINAL FANTASY® XIV: A REALM REBORN™ [PC DOWNLOAD]" for $19.99?

[SecretCrowds]

Umm... The SE store is where you buy the game. Mogstation is where you apply the code.

You bought the game so you should have just applied the code you got on the mogstation.

FF14 is not free. The trial is free but to progress from lvl 20, you need to buy the game and have a running subscription. The FAQ covers all of this.

[parrywang]

Thanks for your reply, but I am still confused..

After I purachsed the $19.99 "FINAL FANTASY® XIV: A REALM REBORN™ [PC DOWNLOAD]" on SE store, I didn't get any so-called 'Steam registration code' to upgrade my trial account to regular one.

What's the difference between:

a. 'bought the game ($19.99) and apply the code on Mogstation' and
b. 'Directly upgrade the account ($24.99) on Mogstation' ?

[Risvertasashi]

My sympathies for your situation. However, it is not a Steam key. It's just a Square Enix registration key. There is no difference between a. and b. (aside from price apparently). There are other stores that sometimes sell FFXIV for even less than $20; similarly, you would get a key you could apply on Mogstation.

Consider contacting support to see if you can get a refund on the extra purchase you made. There is not much those of us on the forums can do for you.

Good luck.

[SecretCrowds]

Should have mentioned you used Steam trial. For Steam, you will have to buy the game from Steam and also sub from there. It's a Steam thing. So, Steam will decide on their own price of the game. Go ask for a refund on the copy you bought from SE store.

[parrywang]

Thanks for the clarification, it's very helpful, I will try to get refund from SE.

[parrywang]

Should have mentioned you used Steam trial. For Steam, you will have to buy the game from Steam and also sub from there. It's a Steam thing. So, Steam will decide on their own price of the game. Go ask for a refund on the copy you bought from SE store.

It sounds very complex for new player, lol. Anyway, thanks for your prompt reply, that's much appreciated

[Risvertasashi]

It sounds very complex for new player, lol. Anyway, thanks for your prompt reply, that's much appreciated

I didn't realize you bought it through Steam. Unfortunately... because the various platform owners want a cut of the sale... there is some limitation here. For example, if you want to play on the PS4, you have to buy the game for the PS4 even if you already have it (so Sony gets their cut). In your case, so Steam/Valve gets their cut. Unfortunately yes, it is a bit convoluted.

Good luck with the refund. And belatedly, welcome to Eorzea.

[Keydah]

Yep. On the topic of Steam, if you ever think you'll be interested in the physical collector's editions of the expansion or future expansions, you should start over now before you have a higher level character. You cannot buy the physical collector's editions and connect them to your account if you own ARR on Steam. There is no way to un-Steam your account nor can you connect a PC version to a Steam account. You'd need to buy the Steam copy, which means either no physical items (you can get a digital collector's edition from Steam, though, or upgrade in Mog Station, too, I'm sure) or buying the physical items (Heavensward's CE is $130) plus the Steam version (another $60 if you want the in-game collector's items).