Not allowed to play at all until 6/24?!

[Madsamurai]

In hindsight, maybe ^^ up until this thread, I kinda assumed it'd be one of those double-disc dvd covers, with ARR on one disc and Heavensward on the other. Then again, I haven't really played games with expansions before, other than Sims and the Baldur's Gate/Icewynd Dale type of games ^^;

Yup provided it is in a seperate disc but they can't do that unless they sell the physical bundled game on launch since HW is included. I believe the topic starter bought the digital copy which is the only one available right now and Heavensward data is compiled in there. Not unless Square Enix lock Ishgard and all that new content away till launch date while letting players access ARR content for whoever bought the bundle then it is possible for them to play current content first.

[Madsamurai]

Why would it be common sense? If you already have an account and are switching platforms, you could jump in and go right from day one. If you don't have an account, SE loses nothing by letting you play the base game a few days early. You could already play a free trial anyway unless you are getting the Mac client. If they are unable to have the Mac client available in time for early access then they should just say it. However, it really makes no sense to prevent some from playing early access when they have preordered the expansion just like everyone else. All the other clients will be available for early access. If anything, it goes completely against common sense.

Problem right here is because the topic starter bought the bundle pack which includes content that is not supposed to be available till 24th. It's not about switching platforms. Bundle does not comes with early access mainly for the fact that the package is targeted for new players who have yet to try out the game since early access into HW content is only available for those players who have a level 50 and finished all main quest till 2.55. But if they wanted early access as well, just buy the standalone game for cheap right now, make an account, try to level a class to 50 and finish all MSQ before the 19th it's as easy as that. Is that so hard to understand???

[Sakei]

Problem right here is because the topic starter bought the bundle pack which includes content that is not supposed to be available till 24th. It's not about switching platforms. Bundle does not comes with early access mainly for the fact that the package is targeted for new players who have yet to try out the game since early access into HW content is only available for those players who have a level 50 and finished all main quest till 2.55.

What are they preventing access to? If you aren't switching platforms, then we both agree that you can play right now, and for very little money. Heck, you can play for free. If you want the expansion, you can do this and buy the expansion with early access. What are they preventing access to by not allowing early access with the bundle? All they are doing is frustrating people.

[Sskaiin]

The bundle is a separate product that has an official release date (or "street date") set for the 23rd.

It's the same as all the other times companies release Director Cut's, Gold Editions, Game of the Year editions, etc. You're not going to get to play any of these new versions before its street date. Regardless of how long the base game has been out.

A reason for no Early Access? The bundle is mainly being marketed to the brand new player. Yes, people may get it to have on additional platforms but it's intended purpose is for new customers.

They could see it as a new person would not be able to get to 50 and complete the MSQ during the EA and would never reach Heavensward content during this window.

They could be thinking new bundle players would only be adding to server stress and it might be better to hold them off until official release to spread players a bit more. Old players will have moved on to Ishgard and new players will fill in the old zones.

[Sakei]

But those new players can login right now, and play all through early access for free unless they are on Mac OS X.

[Madsamurai]

What are they preventing access to? If you aren't switching platforms, then we both agree that you can play right now, and for very little money. Heck, you can play for free. If you want the expansion, you can do this and buy the expansion with early access. What are they preventing access to by not allowing early access with the bundle? All they are doing is frustrating people.

That was what i was saying the whole time. Want to play now? Buy the cheap standalone game and play now. Want the expansion as well? Easy, just preorder it now and get early access codes + preorder goodies. So say for example if i already had an account on the PC version, why would i in my right mind still buy the bundle that already includes ARR which i already have and pay the full price for it instead of just buying the expansion? Why there isn't early access in the bundle was because it is mainly targeted at potential players who have not bought/played the game at all. Yes maybe all SE needed to do was also allow veteran players who somehow bought the bundle to play the game on the 19th as well but their intention was already clear that the bundle was for brand new players in the first place and specifically said that it does not include early access for that purpose. For veteran players who mistakenly bought the bundle, the only consolation is that the bundle comes with a free month of subscription.

[Madsamurai]

But those new players can login right now, and play all through early access for free unless they are on Mac OS X.

They may be able to play all through till early access dates but there are limitations to their free trial anyway.

* Players can play for free for up to 14 days from account creation to a maximum level of twenty. Free trial players will have various limitations on available in-game activities."

Early access is a mini bonus for existing account holders with characters that have already completed content up till patch 2.55 so this whole campaign is intended for this pool of players. For anyone else with existing accounts with characters but mistakenly bought the bundle and just wanted to play the game now.. then that is just unfortunate. Yes you can say that SE could just easily let the bundle purchasers receive early access codes as well but in their perspective that is making no sense since it is intended for new players with brand new account. All i can say is be more careful before purchasing and read the fine prints properly next time.

[WellFooled]

You can get one no questions asked if it's within 14 days from purchase and has been played for less than 2hrs..it worked for my friend with Civ5.

I'm afraid I must derail this thread. Your friend returned Civilization V?! As in, he wanted his money back for one of the best PC games every devised by man?

You need better friends, sir!

[Seig345]

The bundle is set for the 23rd because it's intended for future (as in, -after- 6/23/2015) new players looking to jump into the game. There's no pre-order bonus because the intended demographic are players who don't have either ARR or the expansion; a new player given early access to Heavensward would be moot because they would log in on the 19th and need to complete the entire current Main Story Quest before they could even access Heavensward.

Near as I can tell, even in the store, the button says "Pre-Order", not "Purchase", and tells you the bundle is expected to become available around 6/22/2015 (Bundle = access to both ARR and Heavensward on the PS4 platform). I'm not sure why people are pre-ordering this bundle expecting it to give them immediate access to play on the PS4, pre-existing account or not. Pre-order is not the same thing as purchase.

[Nadirah]

Good to know. I would definetly try to make use of that if I had the game on steam and I'd make sure to cite all these stupid restrictions as reasons why it should be refunded. Seems to me like SE should never have put the game on steam if they were going to restrict it like this.

That's Steam restrictions not SE.