Lost my CD

[Darkshade]

I heard rumors that they were binding the CD-Keys, somehow, this time around - due to people buying it for one platform and borrowing their friends' discs to install it on multiples. If this is true, it might only be for the PS3 version, though - so let us know how the torrent turns out.

If they do end up restricting it somehow, I'll be pretty disappointed. That general freedom of play platform due to the bulk of payment coming from monthly subscriptions was one of the things that drew me to FFXI in the first place. I'd probably skip buying the PS3 version (which I'd planned to shell out for, anyway) just out of spite.

That or if they pulled the "exclusive item you can only obtain by activating a code BEFORE you play the game" bullshit on us again...

No sir, you can freely download any ISO of the disc/install the game from the DVD and play it freely on any PC at this point in time. The only restriction is the IP address temporary lock up on users who do not have a Security Token and attempt to login from an unknown IP range.

I imagine it'll be exactly like most other MMOs or FFXI in that regard.

To OP. I'm not sure how SE feels about people linking the XIV installation disc torrent here but you can easily find it with a google search or on a few different community sites. (Including XIVPRO) I really wouldn't consider it illegal because it's a product you have already payed for previously and the majority of the profit XIV will garner will be when they start billing monthly.

Hopefully at some point in time they offer a client download from the website.

Ciao.

[Charismatic]

I don't think they're going to crack down on client distribution for anyone concerned about legality... even if it's illegal, it's a waste of time for anyone who doesn't have a valid account or access to a valid account to even have the game software because there's not much they can do with it.
If square proves me wrong I'll have egg on my face, but... I like eggs.

[Defmetal]

Stop asking and just torrent it already.

You paid for your license, you're unable to play the game without a valid one (the account and password) so you can't get in trouble for it. Unlike downloading Roms or Pirating software, you are literally downloading a backup and I don't think anyone has gotten in trouble for downloading an MMORPG because they lost the disk. Simply because the software is useless without a valid account, which you are paying for.

By not torrenting the file you are unable to play the game you are paying a monthly fee for. (Never mind you are in the free trial stage right now).

[JackDaniels]

Distributing the game without SE's okay is definately not legal and bittorrent = distributing unless your client is set to download only.

Yeah but.. it's not hurting SE at all... you just simply can't play unless you buy the game. There's no such thing as an FFXIV key generator.

[Coldfire]

Yeah but.. it's not hurting SE at all... you just simply can't play unless you buy the game. There's no such thing as an FFXIV key generator.

I didn't say SE would care. I was just stating the fact that it's not legal if SE suddenly does decide to care :P

[JackDaniels]

There's really no way that they could tell. I remember some people in my beta guild who bought the CE downloaded the client prior to the release date so that when they did bring the game home all they would have to do is register the code. They haven't had any problems.

[Zenaku]

This been talked about before and SE never lock/delete the topic about utorrent. If you lost your CD you can easy just get it off online. Remember when SE said the buddy pass you give the CD to your friend? this is pretty much the samething.

Maybe a dev can just tell us if this ok or not.

[thedevilsjester]

Stop asking and just torrent it already.

When downloading the client via a torrent site there is no way to verify that its a legitimate copy and not one that has been stealthily modified. If you do not care about your account getting stolen, more power to you, but for those that do care, you should never get an MMORPG client through a torrent site unless you have the (independently obtained) MD5 or SHA1 hash to verify that its an original, unmodified, copy.

[Bigcatman]

When downloading the client via a torrent site there is no way to verify that its a legitimate copy and not one that has been stealthily modified. If you do not care about your account getting stolen, more power to you, but for those that do care, you should never get an MMORPG client through a torrent site unless you have the (independently obtained) MD5 or SHA1 hash to verify that its an original, unmodified, copy.

Very true, but there are other ways to verify: some torrent sites have a VIP or TRUSTED status that allay fears of malware modification. Also, the comments section is also a good place to verify the integrity of the download. Although these aren't as fool proof as MD5 or SHA1, it is something that I always look for and have never had issues. Besides, those with security tokens are safe from that anyway.

[thedevilsjester]

Very true, but there are other ways to verify: some torrent sites have a VIP or TRUSTED status that allay fears of malware modification. Also, the comments section is also a good place to verify the integrity of the download. Although these aren't as fool proof as MD5 or SHA1, it is something that I always look for and have never had issues. Besides, those with security tokens are safe from that anyway.

Security tokens may save your FFXIV account, but the malware/trojans that may be stealthy installed through a 'bad' torrent, could easily have other consequences that are not FFXIV related. Also 'vip' and 'trusted' statues on torrent sites do not mean you can trust the uploader absolutely. Its all based solely on the judgement of the person giving out the status badges, if you trust their judgement with your security, thats your choice but I would not recommend downloading any executable from a torrent site for any reason from any uploader. Try and find a buddy that can burn you a copy of the disc, or send you a trusted iso.

I understand that some of you will go this route anyway (and some may not have a choice) but this should not be the de facto solution and should be recommended as a last resort only.