Question: Buying the game...

[Niwashi]

can I buy the game via the PlayStation network or do I buy the game on the SquareEnix site?

Either one. (You can also buy from third party retailers. I bought it from Amazon, and a friend got it at GameStop. Check around to see if someplace has it at a discount.) If you buy from SE or a third party, it will come with a registration code that you'll need to enter at the PlayStation Store on your PS3. (If you buy it from the PlayStation Store this part is automatic.)

Also once the game is purchased then do I buy the subscription fee next? Where do I go to buy that?

You do that at SE's MogStation:
https://secure.square-enix.com/accun...svc/mogstation
Purchase of the game comes with the first 30 days of access, so you'll have 30 days in which to go to the MogStation and set up your subscription if you want to keep continuous access.

During that 30 days, you might also want to get a code from the Recruit A Friend program. It will reward you with a pretty hairpiece that boosts your XP during the early levels of any class. If you have a friend who plays, get the code from them, as they'll also get a reward if you subscribe, or you can use one of the codes people are offering in the Friend Recruitment Code thread. (These codes are also registered at the MogStation, but can only be registered before adding subscription time, so during that first 30 days if you sub once your initial time is up.)

[ChiKittie]

Thank you so much for your help. I will be sure to come back here to refer to this info when I buy the game.