Just wondering

[Haruka-chan]

So I have the Steam version of Final Fantasy XIV: ARR, would I still be able to keep my characters if I get the PC version or would it be a completely brand new account?

[Themis]

All characters are linked to the Square Enix account you use, not the platform you use. It doesn't matter what platform you create your character on originally, you can play it on any other platform as long as you have a licence for it connected to your SE account.

[Haruka-chan]

Okay, thank you so much for clearing that up for me. <3

[Keydah]

All characters are linked to the Square Enix account you use, not the platform you use. It doesn't matter what platform you create your character on originally, you can play it on any other platform as long as you have a licence for it connected to your SE account.

This is true, but s/he isn't moving platforms. This is moving from a Steam PC version to a normal PC version. I thought there were issues with that? I don't remember what specifically, but I thought that it was impossible to do.

[Vespar]

Its not impossible. You just buy the game on the "platform" of your choice as Themis stated, install the game on that platform, and then log in to the client with your original Account information. You can play the game on any platform or heck you could even visit a friends house or an internet cafe or what have you. You can log in anywhere so long as the game is installed on the system and you have your account information to log in.

[Ametrine]

The only issue you'll have swapping platforms is you lose all saved character creation data, all saved armory sets, and all hotbar settings. So, make copies of your macros, screenshot you hotbars and HUD layout, and get ready to do some house cleaning when you log into the new client the first time.

Everything is set to default as that kind of data is saved to the individual platform. All character data (like levels, story progress, currency, basically anything you can look up on the Lodestone) will be just fine as it's part of the account itself.

I had to go through all this when I had to move to PS3.

[Elemia]

You CANNOT keep the same data when moving from PC-Steam to PC-NonSteam. It has to be a brand new account.

[Ametrine]

@_@

Why is that? Is the FFXIV account tied to Steam and not SE?
Becuase I was a day away from buying a steambox pc.... If that's true I'll have to get a PS4.

[Vespar]

You CANNOT keep the same data when moving from PC-Steam to PC-NonSteam. It has to be a brand new account.

Ive never heard of this. Ive logged in on my character on PS3 > PS4 > PC.. why would steam be any different?

I will admit macros and HUD wont follow you, but you should be able to log in your account. Heck I logged into my character at the Eorzea cafe no problems too.

[Keydah]

Ive never heard of this. Ive logged in on my character on PS3 > PS4 > PC.. why would steam be any different?

I will admit macros and HUD wont follow you, but you should be able to log in your account. Heck I logged into my character at the Eorzea cafe no problems too.

Because as noted it isn't switching platforms. If you buy a game on steam, you got a Steam specific key for your game and the game is locked to Steam - you can't even use the Mog Station to pay your sub, I believe. That's why people who bought FFXIV on Steam can't get physical copies of Heavensward (unless Steam will let you input the Heavensward code, which I doubt) - they need to get a Steam copy of Heavensward or it's incompatible with their copy of A Realm Reborn. You can't use Steam games outside Steam or connect non-Steam-bought expansions or content to a Steam-bought game. (Boyfriend states you can run the game without Steam but your account will still be locked to it)