PETITION: Regarding FINAL FANTASY XIV Steam Version (Mar. 8)

[NanuNanu]

Consider this signed, I have had many issues with Steam. I own both Windows and PS4 versions (for the physical collectors stuff and I started with PS4 free trial). Steam servers have been more of a problem than not. I fall into the 5 years ago locked into this mess trap. Just found out today I could not login because of this. I own the Windows version yet Steam type Account, no where on my account does it say Steam version, it says Steam account, if I own the Windows version why cant I log in with just the Windows launcher? That is like me saying you have both an android and iphone 5 years ago you could use both to make your phone calls, but now you can only use one of those to make phone calls for the rest of your life. Why should we be locked into something that we did not agree with many years ago? Where does it say on any on Steams TOS 5 years ago, that if we purchase the FFXIV we will not be allowed future purchase or expansions through any other client? and I used to think buying a house in game was a poop show.

[Misha_Saipli]

Approximately 400 minutes (nearly 7 hours) to RE-INSTALL the steam version because it was on my platter drive but the copy I've been playing for the last 3 years is on my M.2 drive.

400 minutes because I couldn't just copy the Steam version from my platter drive to my M.2.

400 minutes because I couldn't just copy the version I've been using to the newly created M.2 Steam folder install that literally only consists of the game launcher.

400 minutes you're making me waste of my life just because I don't have a Windows CD-Key. A CD-Key I already own but can't use because you won't let me, even though I purchased it 3 years ago.

400 minutes of my life being wasted for absolutely no good reason.

Let us transfer to a Windows CD-Key already. Let us end the misery of the mistake we made years ago when we installed the Steam version because hey, it's right there right? There's no difference between the Steam and regular Windows versions, right? Oh... only after buying and installing and setting up your account in MogStation do you discover that it's an entirely different version of the game and now you're stuck with your mistake and the 400 minutes it'll take to be able to play again.

I cannot begin to express how upset and disappointed I am by this.

[Vejj]

Yep, our raid today is cancelt today cause our players have to redownload the game. They cant simple copy the files into the steam directory, really worst.

[AngelyLowell]

You can get the files from your current folder (non steam) and put in program files\Steam\steamapps\common\FINAL FANTAXY XIV Online

Works here very well and a did not have to redownload the game.

[Vejj]

You can get the files from your current folder (non steam) and put in program files\Steam\steamapps\common\FINAL FANTAXY XIV Online

Works here very well and a did not have to redownload the game.

Thank you, I forwarded it once...

[Granyala]

400 minutes because I couldn't just copy the Steam version from my platter drive to my M.2.

Actually you could have.
I transferred my "non steam" installation into the steam related FFXIV folder after DLing just the launcher through steam.
Worked like a charm and since it was SSD to SSD, it only took a handful of minutes.

Lack of technical knowledge on your end is not SE's fault.

All you have to do is:
1) start the setup through steam
2) let steam DL the around 60 MB launcher (do NOT launch it yet)
3) copy the your "FFXIV\game" folder (do NOT copy the folder named "boot", I assume that's where both versions actually differ from each other) to steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

And then start the game through steam.

[ZoLMiTRiPTaN]

No need to. Install via steam (it only installs the launcher) and copy the contents of your game folder into common\FF XIV. Do not overwrite any files.
Saves you the DL.

Incorrect. Steam now installs the files for ARR while the rest are downloaded via the launcher. Doing what you suggest will now cause Steam to delete all of the files you’ve moved before reinstalling the ARR files.

[Rhei]

Actually you could have.
All you have to do is:
1) start the setup through steam
2) let steam DL the around 60 MB launcher (do NOT launch it yet)
3) copy the your "FFXIV\game" folder (do NOT copy the folder named "boot", I assume that's where both versions actually differ from each other) to steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

And then start the game through steam.

Thank you so much for posting this! Worked like a charm. Only thing I'd add is to make sure you back up your character settings because it wiped them for me.

[VirusChris]

Um... did they update the whole thing to be connect to Steam now?

I'm having an issue here. It says my Service is not registered to the Launcher which I boot up from Steam and my Service has not EXPIRED.

I bought FFXIV via Steam years ago, but created a second Account to use it for my brother to play it. But I bought the expansions for my main account via the SquareEnix Store.
Do I have to tie my PC Account to the Steam Account somehow? I am confused. I can't play on PC atm.

[Granyala]

Thank you so much for posting this! Worked like a charm. Only thing I'd add is to make sure you back up your character settings because it wiped them for me.

Weird, it didn't touch mine. Oo

Important data should always be backed up, so I consider such warnings pointless. :P

Incorrect. Steam now installs the files for ARR while the rest are downloaded via the launcher. Doing what you suggest will now cause Steam to delete all of the files you’ve moved before reinstalling the ARR files.

You're supposed to move the files AFTER the setup from steam. Also, it does not load ARR game data, at least not for me. Steam actually still thinks that the FF-XIV client is 52MB in size, so it doesn't check any files beyond what is in the boot folder.

Personally, I think SE should have made some kind of error message. If I try to start the game w/o steam, the launcher just stays blank / white. Probably some confused people that didn't read the announcement phoning the support staff now.