FFXIV Switch 2 launch concerns

[Allistar]

I’m really looking forward to Final Fantasy XIV coming to the Switch 2 on August 4, but as the date gets closer, it feels like the release is being rushed instead of thoughtfully planned. There are a few things that worry me, and I’m curious if anyone else feels this way.

1. Exactly where was the real stress test?

Yoshi said the first month after launch will be used as a server stability test, and anyone can play during that time without a subscription. Great, but the test is happening live on release day, with real players as the testers. There wasn’t a separate stress-test period before launch, even a short one, to let a smaller group find problems early and give the team time to fix them. Instead, testing and launching are happening at the same time. If the Switch 2 can’t handle the full FFXIV traffic, the first players will be the ones who have to deal with it.

2. Account and subscription details are still unclear.

We know that current subscribers get a 50% discount on the Switch 2 subscription. But there are still some things we don’t know:

--What would be the cost involved in transferring an existing account to a Switch 2 account?
--If you have a trial account that hasn't been converted on a different platform, will that trial carry over to Switch 2 or will you have to start again?

SE is requiring a separate subscription for the Switch 2, it’s even more important to explain this clearly. It would have been better to settle these questions from the start, instead of leaving players guessing right before launch.

3. The free month is not in fact a bonus for new players.

They are presenting the free first month as a generous offer. But for new players, it’s basically the same as the usual free trial that comes with a new account. This mixes up two things: a real stress test (which helps Square Enix) and a free trial (which should help new players). Using the same 30 days for both makes it feel like new players are helping test the servers instead of getting a true trial. If something goes wrong during the test, they’re the ones who lose out, since they don’t get a separate trial period after the devs know everything works.

What would’ve been better

It would have been better to have a short, dedicated stress test before launch, even just for a week or two, for anyone who wanted to join. After fixing any issues, they could then do a proper release with the usual 30-day free trial for new players, separate from the test. Instead, everything is combined into one event, and we get a live letter just days before launch to explain it all.

Granted, there’s a producer letter and live stream tomorrow, August 1, that might answer questions about account transfers and trials. That could clear things up.

Does anyone else feel concerned about this, or am I overthinking it?

[Nero-Voidstails]

already the fact that North horn make Xbox player crash is already a bad sign

[Wildsprite]

2. Account and subscription details are still unclear.

We know that current subscribers get a 50% discount on the Switch 2 subscription. But there are still some things we don’t know:

--What would be the cost involved in transferring an existing account to a Switch 2 account?
--If you have a trial account that hasn't been converted on a different platform, will that trial carry over to Switch 2 or will you have to start again?

SE is requiring a separate subscription for the Switch 2, it’s even more important to explain this clearly. It would have been better to settle these questions from the start, instead of leaving players guessing right before launch.

2. How it works exactly is

-If you have an existing sub you would pay the whole of that sub+ 50% of the price of the Switch 2 sub. but you only need to do that if you plan to play on more than just the Switch 2. (You do not need to subscribe to more than the Switch 2 if that works for you)
--There will be no cost in moving to a Switch 2 account, you just need to buy the game
--It's a trial account, You shouldn't lose progress using the same account on both. (can someone confirm this?)

Yes it is a separate subscription if you opt for the Switch 2 and another platform but ONLY if you do that.

[Nero-Voidstails]

How it works exactly is

-If you have an existing sub you would pay the whole of that sub+ 50% of the price of the Switch 2 sub. but you only need to do that if you plan to play on more than just the Switch 2. (You do not need to subscribe to more than the Switch 2 if that works for you)
--There will be no cost in moving to a Switch 2 account, you just need to buy the game
--It's a trial account, You shouldn't lose progress using the same account on both. (can someone confirm this?)

Yes it is a separate subscription if you opt for the Switch 2 and another platform but ONLY if you do that.

on the free trial no you do not lose progress if you use the same email and info because you do still make a square account for it.

[Ilisidi]

Free Trials can't switch platform. If you currently have a Free Trial account and want to use that on the Switch 2, you'll have to convert that to a paid account, by adding a Switch 2 license to it and henceforth pay a sub to play. You would also no longer be able to play on your current platform unless you add a license for that as well.

[DiaDeem]

About performance, it seems to be running remarkably well. They just held a stream testing the version, and it was a rather pleasant surprise.

[Allistar]

About performance, it seems to be running remarkably well. They just held a stream testing the version, and it was a rather pleasant surprise.

I was up watching it and was very surprised. And now we are less than 24hrs away from launch ������

[MicahZerrshia]

it feels like the release is being rushed instead of thoughtfully planned

Welcome to FFXIV lol