FFXIV: Getting access to the PS3 (on multiple service accounts)

[Midna]

Hello. I've been trying to complete a task that was relatively simple, but proved to be impossible by following the misleading information that Square Enix continues to provide. I'm writing this post today in the hopes that it saves someone else the heartache that I went through since the game launched.

Everything below might be obvious for some people... but I can't imagine I'm the only person who was confused by the terribly designed, disjointed process.

I have 2 service accounts. I was able to set up PC and PS3 access to service account #1 without any major problems (it was a bit confusing, but I didn't run into any serious pain points). When it came time to set up my second service account, the poorly coordinated instructions from SE began to slap me in the face, over and over again.

Due to the utterly confusing approach that SE has taken with FFXIV, I purchased this god forsaken game a total of 7 times. Yes, that's right, 7 times. Why I'm still a dedicated customer is beyond me, if this were any other game besides Final Fantasy, I'd be long gone.

You see, when logging into the Mog Station (sqeq.to/Msp), there is a big button that says "add Playstation 3 Service". However, when clicking on that button you're taken to a page that explains you can't actually do this from here, and the instructions that follow are pretty unclear. These instructions are the main reason I ended up purchasing the game an absurd amount of times. I have have a feeling Square Enix did this on purpose.

"To add the PlayStation®3 platform to this service account, you must first either purchase the digital download, or apply a registration code through the Sony Entertainment Network."

Reading the above led me to believe that I could purchase any digital download, from any site. There's no indication that there are actually two different types of digital downloads, and that the PS3 version can only be purchased via the Playstation Store by logging into the Playstation Network. In-fact, after a very long and painful conversation, the rep on the phone at FFXIV support confirmed that my thoughts were correct and recommended that I purchase a digital download from the Square Enix online store or from Amazon. (When In-fact, the information I was given was completely false.)

So, I did. Everything seemed to be working properly, I made sure to select PS3 when redeeming the pre-order codes, I entered the codes on the PS3 via Account Management, the game installed... and then nothing. I hit a dead end. Trying to re-register the codes spat back validation errors, etc.

I contacted FFXIV support again (I got the same rep as I did the first time) and explained the situation. The rep was pretty confused... after asking a series of questions I was told that this was an issue on Sony's end as it related to the Playstation 3 and they did not have access to the records required to resolve the issue. I was sent over to Playstation support, who was just as confused, and sent me back to FFXIV support as they assured me that this was Squares problem, not theirs.

By this time a great number of hours had past, and FFXIV support was closed for the weekend. I couldn't wait... So I re-purchased the game and tried again. This time I got errors that said the codes weren't compatible with my region (apparently I was sent EU codes, even though I purchased a NA copy of the game.) So I tried yet again... and I ran into the same road block as I did before.

Monday came and I contacted FFXIV support one more time (I got the same rep as I did the first two times). The rep remembered me and by this point was extremely rude, would cut me off after every word, and was unable/unwilling to help me whatsoever. After expressing my ungodly frustration, I was forwarded to general Square Enix technical support.

After sitting on hold for nearly 2 hours, a friendly voice finally picked up the phone. I explained my situation once again and within 5 minutes, the rep was able to talk me through what happened, what was going on, and what to do.

At this point I was told that all of the information that the FFXIV support rep gave me was undoubtedly wrong. The only way to get PS3 access is to buy a hard copy (which is what I originally did for service account #1) or by purchasing the game on the Playstation through the Playstation Store.

That's really it. Unfortunately Square Enix is unable to do anything to make up for all of the time and money I've wasted, or the stress I went through, but at least now I can rest knowing that I can finally play.

Hope this helps someone!

[ZohnoReecho]

Glad you were able to "fix" your issue but SE should reimburse you for sending you in the wrong direction, even more if you are not using those game codes.

[Midna]

I asked, but the short answer was simply "no". Because of the disjointed departments and processes, it seems that no one has the power (or knows who would) to do such a thing.

The issue is still not actually resolved. I went to buy the game via the Playstation Store and the buy button is missing. It won't let me purchase because apparently I already own it when I registered the hard copy I purchased for service account #1. Looks like my only option is to purchase another hard copy for the PS3... Which I'm extremely hesitant to do at this point. With my luck, that won't work either. :/

[Midna]

I called SE support again... they said "you should be able to purchase the game up to 8 times on the playstation store". They told me that it's strange that I am unable to purchase it from the Playstation store and said that it should work if I buy a hard copy... but they also said buying from the playstation store should work... I was then forwarded to playstation support, who after a series of questions to verify the account, told me to log into the mog station to add the service from there... Which is obviously wrong. Their promt has no other instructions or other alternative possibilities. This is a complete cluster ****. Who ever was in charge of setting this stuff up should be fired immediately.

I'm sick and tired of getting the run around. This is complete BS.

According the the Playstation rep I'm speaking to now... it is impossible to get PS3 access onto 2 service accounts.... what the ****

[Midna]

It blows my mind that no one on either side seems to know what they are talking about. Every rep I speak to gives me different conflicting information.

I'm now calling SE support again to try and verify that what I'm trying to do is impossible... According the Playstation, you can only have one service account tied to one PSN account, meaning that all other service accounts under the same SE account can only ever have access to the PC...

I really wish SE just did the same thing they did for XI...

I'm definitely on the verge of canceling everything and never purchasing another SE title again.

[JerDaBear]

honestly your best bet is to buy hard copies i never buy digital even for mmos me and my wife both have ps3 copys and pc copys so we both can play on either system its a shame you bought the game so many times though id be demanding my money or at least an up grade to colloctors edition

[Uchia]

SE support is giving you the wrong information you cannot purchase the game up to 8 times on the playstation store, once you buy the game on PSN you cannot buy it again with the same account unless you create a new PSN ID to purchase the game again.

[Midna]

...me and my wife both have ps3 copys and pc copys so we both can play on either system its a shame you bought the game so many times though id be demanding my money or at least an up grade to colloctors edition

I made the mistake of thinking that having a second service account would be easier than owning 2 completely separate accounts. It's really the main reason why my problem exists. I've demanded but the best anyone has been able to offer is the 800 number to their digital returns service :|

SE support is giving you the wrong information you cannot purchase the game up to 8 times on the playstation store, once you buy the game on PSN you cannot buy it again with the same account unless you create a new PSN ID to purchase the game again.

Thanks, Uchia. That's not what I want to do, ya? Doing so would separate the game from the SE account since those are directly tied to the PSN account.

I guess I just need to buy another hard copy and everything should be dandy. But the information I received from the Playstation rep that it's not possible to get PS3 access on more than one service account is making me uneasy (uneasy is the nice way of saying it). It seems silly to me but I don't know what to think anymore. I mean, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the service account concept in the first place? With SE, anything, anything is possible~

SE really needs to hire more support people, I've spent an ungodly amount of hours on hold this week. After all of this, I feel I'm better qualified than they are... If you ever have to call SE tech support, ask for Tom. He seems to be the only one there who knows what he's talking about and cares about the customer.