Why can't I download the current patch first then resub?

[Sumilre]

Don't know where is the correct place to post this.
As title says, I wonder why I have to resub first, only after then I can download the currecnt patch from server?
This is not a free game, and why I have to waste my subscription time to download these things?

[Ransu]

The obvious answer is it keeps bandwidth costs down. Seems silly to complain about the 10 minutes you spend downloading a patch though.

[Votraftur]

Good morning! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

We apologize for any inconvenience that has occurred when playing Final Fantasy XIV. Unfortunately, the issue you are describing does not appear to be a technical issue. I will go ahead and move this thread to “General Discussion" instead.

Thank you once again for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!

[Deceptus]

Don't know where is the correct place to post this.
As title says, I wonder why I have to resub first, only after then I can download the currecnt patch from server?
This is not a free game, and why I have to waste my subscription time to download these things?

Always wondered this myself. No reason the launcher can't download current assets as an incentive to re-sub

Or version check

[Kes13a]

I know of few to no services that you pay for that you can download the current version without an "active license". generally since you have to sign in to the launcher, its going to do a version check and see if you qualify for the current release software. no subscription active on your login, means no update.

if they did allow it then the OP would be mad that they cant start the game without a sub. basically, the concept that business follows is "if you really want to use the software, you want to have the latest version, thank you for paying..."

[EgilTheStressedMage]

Always wondered this myself. No reason the launcher can't download current assets as an incentive to re-sub

Or version check

Because money and Square Enix.

[Bekuta]

In a similar line, why can't I pause my subscription when I go to the bathroom/sleep? I don't want to waste my subscription time on something that's not playing.

[TheMightyMollusk]

On console, patches download before I even get to the login screen. Doesn't check my sub until I try to actually log in.

[dspguy]

It would be easy to block actual subscribers from downloading the patch if enough "zombies" out there just connected to the server and all asked to download the game in its entirety on patch day... then dump the data and do it again. A sort of DDoS.

[Ranaku]

Don't know where is the correct place to post this.
As title says, I wonder why I have to resub first, only after then I can download the currecnt patch from server?
This is not a free game, and why I have to waste my subscription time to download these things?

Because a sub grants you access to the servers. And when you aren't subbed then...well...no access for you! Easy.