PS3 - PS4 Upgrade Campaign

[Eloah]

Okay so as Square has announced the upgrade campaign will be ending soon, March 31, 2015, and this might be an issue for some PS3 players. We already seem to get some flack for even playing on PS3, how dare we. But what happens after the campaign is over?

I currently play on PS3, and while I would like a PS4, getting one right now just isn't feasible. Now this wouldn't be a big issue if Heavensward wasn't coming out. But since it is I'm curious what will happen? Ideally, I would like to buy Heavensward and upgrade when I get a PS4, maybe for a small fee sure. But, if I have to buy both versions of the game again, I personally think I might just quit. I wouldn't mind upgrading for a reasonable fee, but if I had to purchase both games again that would just be stupid. Additionally, I could buy the expansion for PS4 and do the upgrade before it ends, but that would still require me cancelling my subscription for who knows how many months. Plus I would miss the 2.55 story line, for now.

Please, could a representative elaborate on this in some way. I'm sure many PS3 players feel the way I do.

[ShadowHulk]

If you wanted to play on PS4 after the 31st you would need to buy the PS4 Version. This also goes for the expansion, if you have not upgraded by the time Heavensward comes out you would need to buy the PS4 combo pack that comes with ARR and Heavensward. Otherwise your stuck with what you said that you can upgrade now for free but then cannot play until you have purchased a PS4 and then further to that the expansion when released.

If your UK and need a cheap PS4 version id recommend this link rather than the SE store - http://www.shopto.net/video-games/ps...a-realm-reborn

Heavensward solo - http://www.shopto.net/video-games/ps...iv-heavensward

Heavensward combo - http://www.shopto.net/video-games/ps...ensward-bundle

[dustbunny]

I recently upgraded, but I have a friend who just started the game on ps3. Here is what I would do if I were you: If you are NA, the ps3 version of ARR is currently $13 on amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER. (EU: It's cheap on amazon UK also).
I would buy a second copy of ARR for cheap, do the upgrade to ps4, then re-add the ps3 license on the mog station. That way, you have the ps4 license ready to go when you are able upgrade, but you can still play on ps3 for now. As for Heavensward, I would buy the ps3 version for launch and then buy a ps4 copy when it's on sale to be ready for when I got a ps4. (I planned this out when I wasn't sure if I would be able to get a ps4 before March 31st).

It would be nice if you could upgrade for a small fee later, I do hope they do that. Good luck!


Edit: Bonus: you get 30 days game time when you add a new license to your account. (It doesn't count towards veteran rewards, though.)

[Eloah]

Thanks for the feedback. Though, as of right now, without any confirmation from a developer, or someone like that, any thoughts on how to upgrade are speculation. They maybe true, but I would rather hear what they have to say, since my finances are extremely limited at the moment; that includes not being able to buy another PS3 version. Plus while buying 2 copies for PC and PS3/PS4 makes sense, 2 copies for PS3 and PS4 does, and completely alienating PS3 players would be bad for business. Think about it like this, when all TV went digital a few years back, cable companies gave out the converters since it was a better idea then having so many people cancel their subscriptions. Logically, though not necessarily, Square would want to do something similar. Having people upgrade for a small fee is better then having a bunch of people cancel their subscriptions, because they cant afford to buy the exact same game again.

[Kaze3434]

the Free Upgrade Campaign is just that, a free upgrade. once it ends, you wont be able to "upgrade", but you will be able to purchase the ps4 version.

[Luvbunny]

What other poster is suggesting is your "temporary solution for small upgrade fee" - buy the PS3 for $13, get the free upgrade. Play till Heavensward launch, then continue play but missing the expansion for a few months till you can afford PS4 to buy the Heavensward. You can easily catch up to whatever current level gears anyway. And a few months "taking a break time" would do you good.

[JayCommon]

Think about it like this, when all TV went digital a few years back, cable companies gave out the converters since it was a better idea then having so many people cancel their subscriptions. Logically, though not necessarily, Square would want to do something similar. Having people upgrade for a small fee is better then having a bunch of people cancel their subscriptions, because they cant afford to buy the exact same game again.

From analog to digital conversion didn't affect 2,3 or even 4 million people (number of accounts in FFXIV), it affected the entire country. Cable companies literally had to do this.


But even disregarding that, what you are suggesting isn't really the same at all. The converters that were given out were an addition to make the cable work properly after the switch, becase without them cable wouldn't work. PS4 game will not work without a PS4. Your analogy is a bit flawed because what your point suggests is that if cable companies didn't give out the converter than the people would have to go buy new TV's.

Also, PS3 is still supported in HW. Analog cable is not supported at all. You are not obligated to make the change at the moment, SE is not really alienating anyone. The only way you can take advantage of this change is if you actually purchase the PS4. I don't think SE is going to necessarily worry about the extra $40 you have to spend when you just spent 10x that on the system. This is quite literally an optional choice for you to upgrade, and you are by no means actually required to do it to continue playing the game.

They had the upgrade campaign for well over a year, I thought that was pretty darn generous to begin with because they really didn't need to do that if they didn't want to.

Just speculation: I do kind of expect them to have another campaign to switch if they ever decide to drop PS3 support though, which is possible just not probable in the 3.x timeline.

More speculation: You say a small fee would be acceptable for the upgrade, but right now you have just been told you can purchase a full physical copy of ARR for $13. What exactly is a small fee if getting the game for $13 is too expensive for you? Serious question. Heavensward standard copy will not be $40 for too long. After 2-3 months you will see it drop in price and gradually drop even further until it's at or near the same price ARR is, since their real money comes from your sub, not your purchase of the game.

The small upgrade fee would literally only affect people who are trying to upgrade to a PS4 specifically for the expansion release date. From a business stand-point it's not even worth investing the small amount of time it would take to make this possible, because so few people would truly be affected by it. Unless they had some kind of concrete demographic proving that X-amount of hundred-thousand to millions of people were specifically upgrading from PS3 to PS4 solely for playing Heavensward, I feel confident in my speculation that it wouldn't happen.

I do sympathize with you, though. I know what it feels like to be tight with money. For your sake, I hope they give you that option, but being a realist I just don't see it happening.

[Thandronen]

FYI... Yoshi stated in an interview quite awhile back that beyond Heavensward, he didn't believe it would be feasible to continue FFXIV service on the PS3 by the time the next expansion was set to arrive.

Based on that, I'd say you probably have anywhere in the range of 12-18 months after Heavensward comes out in mid-June to get yourself onto the PS4.

If you can put away 15-20 bucks for the next 20 months or so, you can get yourself a PS4 easily. It should drop in price a little by then as well. Honestly there will be no valid excuses once that happens for PS3 players if they miss out from that point for you. No one will shed a tear, I promise you.

[Zelas]

Might as well wait and get the PS4 version later. You'll have to get Heavensward for it anyway, so better just grab the ARR+Heavensward bundle.

[Felis]

there is 50% discount on ARR PS4 in PSN europe currently (€17.50)
If you plan to buy the PS4 in near future, but not before end of march and live in europe, buy the PS4 version now.