It's not "7 Free Days of Playtime". Stop calling it that.

[Maero]

I did not look but when are they adding the 7 days? Where we are now it seems like the issues will go well after the expansion launch.
Every expansion we have these issues, they should probably not have "early access" for the wording on Pre-orders. Kind of looks bad if a large amount of players could never even get on.

[Viirin]

I did not look but when are they adding the 7 days? Where we are now it seems like the issues will go well after the expansion launch.
Every expansion we have these issues, they should probably not have "early access" for the wording on Pre-orders. Kind of looks bad if a large amount of players could never even get on.

If you check the mogstation you will most likely already see that your next billing date is 37 days after the last, rather than 30. I know mine shows this. Based on their previous statement and the fact that people are still reporting having problems, I expect they're likely to announce additional days given in compensation tomorrow - but, we'll see.

[arcaneguilt]

It is an addition of 7 days worth of subscription, to which unfortunately wasn't quite fair for everyone.
I consider myself very lucky since I have an accomplice (my wife) who can help me with logging into the queue before I went back home, so I can play when I'm home from work.

If we call it compensation/reimbursement, it's not quite correct, since people who are fortunate enough to play does get the same benefit as well, which might add insult to injury to those who are not able to log in.
So by that definition, it is certainly free (7 days worth of subscription to everyone with active subscription), but it might not ideal since those who are affected (cannot log in, cannot play in their limited time) are not gaining any benefit while those who are fortunate enough get an additional play time.

In a ideal situation (just an opinion from me, feel free to disagree) it's better to offer compensation for those who spend time queueing to get into the game. Maybe make it every hour you spend queueing grant you a 12-24 hours play time compensation?

XIV is a service with accompanying product (the game), and in its nature is:
1. Inseparable (you need their server to play)
2. Variable (your experience may vary, some are fortunate enough to have a smooth running session. Some others are not)
3. Perishable (you cannot store your play time that you don't use today for tomorrow's use)

What they do was to offer us additional play time (extending the perishability aspect of the service) as a reimbursement regardless of the variable experience we experienced.
Is it "free"? Yes, it's free of charge. We don't pay for it. It's free but it might not serve the purpose if they don't have backup plans on how to address the issue in the short term.
Unfortunately they have stated that they have tried to do what they can do regarding server expansion, but due to one and other reasons it's not plausible.

In this case, I personally think that one of the alternative method they can use if by limiting sales (the whole package from ARR through EW), and through it- controlling the flow of the service. At least people who bought the game earlier can have priority for the service they paid for.

That's my personal opinion though, I'm interested in looking at other perspective in this matter but let's keep this civil, shall we?

[Tanis_Ebonhart]

That's actually the exact situation. People have paid for access to a service, and are being denied that access with the access that was denied being "given for free" well after the fact. They aren't giving you anything "for free", they are getting around to giving you what you already paid for.

I wasn't denied anything. I've played every day since early access. So it is 7 free days for me.

You chose to roll one of the largest servers. That's on you.

[IdowhatIwant]

That's actually the exact situation. People have paid for access to a service, and are being denied that access with the access that was denied being "given for free" well after the fact. They aren't giving you anything "for free", they are getting around to giving you what you already paid for.

Well you technically aren't being denied it. They have not specifically gone and blocked your IP. Sorry that you can't wait in a line or get up early to beat the line. Consider the 7 days free sub like a coupon for having to wait a long time for your food.

Let's say you get a gym membership. But the gym is usually full so you have to wait to use the equipment or maybe even to get into the gym. Would you consider yourself denied access and demand reimbursement? The gym did not choose for you to decide to not wait in a line, the gym also did not choose your hours of availability, you did. That being said the gym cannot deny others access to the gym because you have not had your turn as it is not the gyms problem. Can the gym stop allowing members? Certainly but why would it when there are times of availability that are not being used. Best thing you can do is cancel said membership and cut your losses. To expect something out of it would be petty as you are to a certain extent denying yourself the service.