Welp, the Xbox version is dead in the water. What were they thinking?

[strawberrycake]

Yeaaaaah, my gut tells me we don't have the complete story and we've got a bunch of pseudo-journalist running around with scissors.

I just do not see Yoshi-P letting his baby in the care of the most reckless driver in the industry without wearing a safety helmet and some insurance, and a replacement baby just for caution.

You realize if the Majority of the Board at any company agrees to something that the leader and even creator of a project can't go against it. THis is also Historically how SE has dealt with console companies for years.

[Jojoya]

For many years, they didn't make an Xbox version because it would require a Game pass or a subscription like a PS+, only for the game to be released with it

Well done YoshiP.

There was a second reason. Microsoft was originally demanding that Xbox players have separate servers. SE refused to budge on that point, saying all servers for FFXIV are cross-platform end of story.

This seems to be a compromise. Microsoft gives up on the dedicated Xbox servers. SE stops complaining that Microsoft is going to require the Game Pass subscription to play the game on Xbox.

I can't see SE as the demon in this situation. It's not like they're going to be getting a cut of the Game Pass fees. That's all going to Microsoft.

Complaints should be directed at Microsoft. If someone doesn't want to pay the extra fee then they'd be better off using a different platform to play the game.

[Kyrj]

On one hand is it scummy? Yeah. On the other hand, anyone who is interested in an online only game for Xbox is already going to have gamepass so...

I'd like to know how they decided to go ahead with Xbox, was there really that much interest in 14 with the Xbox crowd? Does SE really see that big of a potential market with Xbox? I doubt anyone at CBU III was making a push for Xbox.

[Jojoya]

On one hand is it scummy? Yeah. On the other hand, anyone who is interested in an online only game for Xbox is already going to have gamepass so...

I'd like to know how they decided to go ahead with Xbox, was there really that much interest in 14 with the Xbox crowd? Does SE really see that big of a potential market with Xbox? I doubt anyone at CBU III was making a push for Xbox.

Game Pass has over 30 million active subscribers. Getting even 50,000 new FFXIV players (0.17% of Game Pass members) through Xbox would be a win for SE.

An Xbox owner interested in playing an online, subscription based game likely already has a Game Pass subscription so that's not going to be an extra cost in their eyes since they're already paying for it.

I'm curious if Xbox has forums for discussions like this and if so, has one been started and what's been the general response. Are those with Xbox who haven't played FFXIV before upset or is it a non-issue for them?

[4clubbedace]

"The Free Trial version, including the open beta test, will not require an Xbox Game Pass (Core or Ultimate) plan to play. However, the full Xbox Series X|S version will require an Xbox Game Pass (Core or Ultimate) plan to play."

This bothers me. I lost my linked PSN account. Unfortunately, ticket after ticket won't let me recover it. I've made peace with that. Luckily, I also have an Xbox. Now I don't care. Good job messing that up. Now, two subscriptions are required to play on the Xbox unless you're on the Free Trial...

You really messed up on this one. I wouldn't be surprised if this is discontinued after a time.

this was the case for all other mmos on xbox (mh frontier comes to mind) only ff11 was barred from that burden. idk why 14 has that issue now

Hot take: the problem is Square Enix, not Microsoft. Requiring a monthly subscription without guaranteed content each month is a very outdated concept. Most live-service games sell you a piece of content, like a battle pass, once per "season" that replaces the need for a subscription. All the normal functions of a subscription-based game, like new maps and gameplay content, are there, and the company is well-funded. But you are paying for the content, not the access. If there is no content, you do not have to pay. Final Fantasy XIV makes you pay regardless of whether there is new content. And Square Enix doesn't give us new content every month. Even World of Warcraft, the only other major subscription-based MMO, has monthly updates. FFXIV is a freakish anomaly in that it's using an old model and it's using it incorrectly.

It's 2024, why is Square Enix still clinging to old tricks (and failing)? Perhaps they should read the room and realize that no one else is stuck this far behind. Given that there are countless live-service games on Game Pass without an extra sub, it seems that requiring two subs is on Square Enix and not Microsoft.

14 does have a batrtle pass

[Mcg55ss]

Hot take: the problem is Square Enix, not Microsoft. Requiring a monthly subscription without guaranteed content each month is a very outdated concept. Most live-service games sell you a piece of content, like a battle pass, once per "season" that replaces the need for a subscription. All the normal functions of a subscription-based game, like new maps and gameplay content, are there, and the company is well-funded. But you are paying for the content, not the access. If there is no content, you do not have to pay. Final Fantasy XIV makes you pay regardless of whether there is new content. And Square Enix doesn't give us new content every month. Even World of Warcraft, the only other major subscription-based MMO, has monthly updates. FFXIV is a freakish anomaly in that it's using an old model and it's using it incorrectly.

It's 2024, why is Square Enix still clinging to old tricks (and failing)? Perhaps they should read the room and realize that no one else is stuck this far behind. Given that there are countless live-service games on Game Pass without an extra sub, it seems that requiring two subs is on Square Enix and not Microsoft.

It's not that outdated, most MMO that are even partially alive use this model and no if there is no content you don't have to be subbed SE is not putting a gun to your head. No it is all on Microsoft for charging you to use the Internet you already pay for.

[Neoyoshi]

I might be wrong about all of what i'm about to imply, and i probably will be, but when i went to go look at the blog post that news outlets are sourcing the core information from; i found myself failing to see anywhere where it says: 'A Xbox player will have to pay for a FFXIV subscription alongside a Core/Ultimate gamepass." Hell i don't even see the blog mentioning or even suggesting a player will require a licence for the game; just 'gamepass to play the full version of FFXIV'





The only licencing stipulations i am seeing is in regards to the type of game accounts that will be able to partake in the open beta; and that existing FFXIV who have game licences would have to wait until the full xbox release in order to transfer their game accounts with FFXIV licences over to a Microsoft account.

But as it stands, all i'm seeing is in plain english: "To play the full version of Final Fantasy XIV, Gamepass (core or Ultimate) will be required to play" I'm paraphrasing a bit, but that's what it says in regards to what the entry requirements are.

Has it occured to people that Xbox users may only need Gamepass to play FFXIV? no Mog-station subscription, no license key, just gamepass?

I'm probably wrong about this, and if i missed an official post somewhere from SE or Microsoft or Yoshi-P or Phil Spencer, please by all means, i'm a bit of a moron so i miss stuff all the time.

Also sorry in advance for any spelling errors or bad grammar.

[BarghastTimes]

I also lost my linked PSN account and was never able to do anything about it. SE is extremely bad about that.

Square Enix is bad at anything CS related, they literally ruined my 1.0 Character during the transition ARR, and then refused to do anything about it. Not only did they send it to a JP server for some strange reason, it was corrupted to the point I couldn't log in.

Their solution? Oh, just reroll. It doesn't matter you wasted like 2-3 years of your life in 1.0, just start again.

Yeah, thanks geniuses. Like I couldn't figure that out.

[Jeeqbit]

Word going round today is that "Xbox itself is dead". What great timing.

Maybe FFXIV launching on it will save it.

[Sqwall]

Square Enix is bad at anything CS related, they literally ruined my 1.0 Character during the transition ARR, and then refused to do anything about it. Not only did they send it to a JP server for some strange reason, it was corrupted to the point I couldn't log in.

Their solution? Oh, just reroll. It doesn't matter you wasted like 2-3 years of your life in 1.0, just start again.

Yeah, thanks geniuses. Like I couldn't figure that out.

I believe all the 1.0 toons went to a JP server. Mine is on Masamune.