PS3 -> PS4 conversion of Heavensward only

[whiskeybravo]

I have to side with Niwashi on this one. For every upgrade from PS3 -> PS4 SE probably has to pay Sony a fee while PC licences are essentially free for them to create.

I understand from a consumer point of view that you have purchased a particular product, you've paid X amount per month for Y amount of time, and in some regard deserve a form of compensation (using the term loosely) since the platform you use the product on will no longer be supported.

Logically, however, this is close to the same as "I bought the original Final Fantasy on NES. Since NES is no longer a supported console, I'd like a free copy from the Apple store so I can continue to play it".

In all reality, people were told a year ago when HW came out that the ps3 would not be supported for next xpac, so it's not like they just sprang this on the community with no heads up.

[Alberel]

Where do you get the idea that Sony controls PC licences? To play on PC (or Mac), you get a licence from SE. Sony has no control or involvement in that. And no, they don't have to somehow "approve" of it.

You're aware that SE has certain contractual obligations to Sony right? Sony might not control PC licenses for the game but I'm fairly sure the contract they have with SE would prohibit them doing anything that would harm Sony's sales in some way. It's really not as simple as you're trying to make it out to be.

[Yurimi]

I understand from a consumer point of view that you have purchased a particular product, you've paid X amount per month for Y amount of time, and in some regard deserve a form of compensation (using the term loosely) since the platform you use the product on will no longer be supported.

Logically, however, this is close to the same as "I bought the original Final Fantasy on NES. Since NES is no longer a supported console, I'd like a free copy from the Apple store so I can continue to play it".

In all reality, people were told a year ago when HW came out that the ps3 would not be supported for next xpac, so it's not like they just sprang this on the community with no heads up.

They are already giving free copies away for the change over and in this case it is likely costing them money to do so in order to retain customers. In your example it would cost them money to give you that code to the apple store as it is a third party provider the same way that they are currently offering people to get the PS4 version. What Niwashi is asking for is instead of going through a 3rd party which likely costs SE money, is for the option to cut out the middle man and have SE save money through an alternative that is free for them to offer and allowing people to get off the restricted platform if they choose to do so, thereby saving SE money and themselves the issue of having to change consoles every time this happens in the future (because the PS4 wont be the only outdated console if this runs 10+ years before it declines like XI did). It is much easier and cheaper after all to replace a couple parts of a computer and stay above the minimum requirements (or with some file tweaks playing even below them decently and saving even more money).

[whiskeybravo]

What Niwashi is asking for is instead of going through a 3rd party which likely costs SE money, is for the option to cut out the middle man and have SE save money through an alternative that is free for them to offer.

What alternative is that, exactly? There may not be a "free" alternative. Or maybe upgrading to PS4 is that "free" alternative for SE?

I mean, what you're saying make sense. It wouldn't be physically difficult for them to hand out a registration code for a different platform and let you download the PC version from their server, but there may be other reasons they are obligated to do this in such a way, or maybe from a business point-of-view they just really don't care if you play or not. I doubt it's the latter, though.

[Lexia]

If person has a pc capable of running XIV why they playing on ps3 then anyways at that point it sounds like you playing on ps3 by choice so if they want a pc license they can pay up like everyone else that want to play on multiple platforms.

[Yurimi]

What alternative is that, exactly? There may not be a "free" alternative. Or maybe upgrading to PS4 is that "free" alternative for SE?

I mean, what you're saying make sense. It wouldn't be physically difficult for them to hand out a registration code for a different platform and let you download the PC version from their server, but there may be other reasons they are obligated to do this in such a way, or maybe from a business point-of-view they just really don't care if you play or not. I doubt it's the latter, though.

For SE generating a PC licence is as easy as pushing a button on their end (well ok its a little more complicated than that but for the most part its true). The PC client is also free for download already you just need a little entry into the database for your character saying you can log in via a PC client. So giving someone access to using the PC version would be their free option and would potentially save them a lot of money that could go back in their pockets instead of to Sony should enough players prefer to go this route. So unless there is some secret back door deal SE is getting with Sony to keep people locked to their platform (which is very anti consumer but so have a lot of SE choices lately) then I really see no reason to not offer this cost effective solution to people.

If person has a pc capable of running XIV why they playing on ps3 then anyways at that point it sounds like you playing on ps3 by choice so if they want a pc license they can pay up like everyone else that want to play on multiple platforms.

Some people started out on PS3, maybe people upgraded their PC since they started so now have one that can actually run the game, maybe it was the cheaper version they found in a bargain bin clearance to give the game a go and the significant other in their life is the kind who says "it still works so you better not waste our money on another one". Plenty of reasons someone may be playing on PS3 right now despite alternatives. Also it isnt about playing on multiple platforms. They are REMOVING a platform and once you change the licence to an alternate platform (in this case the only one being offered is PS4) you are no longer able to play it on the original one. If you upgrade to PS4 even while the PS3 version is still running you can no longer play on PS3 at all. So what was being asked here is if the person moves to the PC platform then they would no longer have access to it on the PS3 OR PS4 version. Not for them to have access to it on multiple platforms.

[Culfinrandir]

If person has a pc capable of running XIV why they playing on ps3 then anyways at that point it sounds like you playing on ps3 by choice so if they want a pc license they can pay up like everyone else that want to play on multiple platforms.

I didn't think of that, you're perfectly correct. Anyway, FFXIV is usually available for peanuts on the PC with ARR going for as little as £5 once & the combination ARR+HW for £10. It would be lunacy to have continued to play on a PS3 if you had a capable PC & saw it offered for £10 - the price of a cinema ticket.