FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Purchase Questions

[JillyBean]

My account is currently a Standard non-legacy 1.0 account
* You don't need to buy anything to play FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn when it is released on 27th August.

Will I get early access?
Yes. You will be able to play in beta phase 4 using your 1.0 character, which will be before release on 27th August.

It is my understanding that Early Access is a Legacy and Pre-Order Bonus only.

Beta(Phase 4 or otherwise) does not equal Early Access.

[Zenaku]

It is my understanding that Early Access is a Legacy and Pre-Order Bonus only.

Beta(Phase 4 or otherwise) does not equal Early Access.

Will if they end up saving w/e you do in beta4 it's pretty much become early access but i don't see them doing it anymore.

[Aki]

It seems a bit confusing what exactly "early access" means as a benefit to any players of FFXIV:ARR.

For new players who are pre-ordering the Standard or Collector's Edition and Legacy Campaign account holders, "early access" has been granted to you as a benefit.

However, what exactly "early access" means is hard to clarify.

For most people, I imagine "early access" would mean a period of time before the release of the game where whatever character progress is made during that time, will continue seamlessly into the official release of the game.

From the information that has been presented to us so far, it would seem that beta phase 4 would come under this definition.

YoshiP released the beta roadmap on the Lodestone which states that Beta phase 4 will be an Open Beta phase, with the NDA partially lifted. The duration is planned to be 1-2 weeks, and all character data from this phase is planned to move over to the official release. The roadmap graph doesn't show any debug phase like the previous phases had, and has instead been updated to just show the official release on 27th August as the phase immediately following beta phase 4. This would suggest that all players, even new players who didn't play 1.0 will be able to play in this phase.

Legacy account holders were guaranteed access to the beta phases from beta phase 1. Some may count that as "early access", while some others may not.

To 1.0 players that don't have a legacy account, you should keep in mind that although it doesn't fit into the definition of "early access" above, you will actually gain access to beta phase 3. In the roadmap, YoshiP states that "All FFXIV service account holders qualify as testers in phase 3". This phase will also allow you to play using your 1.0 character data, however any progression during this phase will be deleted at the start of phase 4, hence why phase 3 wouldn't fall under the definition of "early access" above.

You can find all these details on the Lodestone's beta roadmap, which seeing as the official release date has been added, I would presume that the information inside the document is up-to-date. (Checking the PDF's document properties shows that the document was last modified on 23rd May 2013 by YoshiP himself)

Although I can't say anything officially, to me personally, it would seem that anyone granted "early access" as a benefit now won't be receiving any extra benefit that isn't available to anyone who wishes to play the game, regardless of whether they have a FFXIV service account already or not.

It would probably be good to hear what Square-Enix's definition of "early access" is to really understand if it's even an extra benefit at all.

[Coris]

Hello there,

here I am with a clarification regarding the info I gave one or two pages ago. First of all I have to say: I am not happy 'bout this. Second: finiteHP, you will be fine with what you did. Please read below.

Source (First quote bubble. Again translated by myself, please have mercy x_x )

Q: I played the old version of FFXIV and there are characters on my account. I'd like the bonus pre-order items and the ingame items of the Collector's Edition. If I pre-order the CE and add the codes for CE items and pre-order items to my existing account, do I get all ingame items?

A: You will receive the pre-order items, but you can't use the codes of the PC CE on an existing Windows-Account. To receive the ingame items of the CE, please use the digital Upgrade-Service.
Nevertheless, it is possible to connect the PS3 CE with an existing account of the Windows version, which gives you the ability to receive the ingame items of the CE.

Actually, I don't know what to do now =____=
Whatever I order, there will be one thing I can't use since I do not own a PS3 and I will have to pay more than normal.


EDIT: Did some math with people from the dark side of the moon. With the actual exchange rate in mind, the digital Upgrade would cost me 14,99€. When I buy the PC CE, which goes for 59,99€, I pay 74,98€ instead of the 69,99€ for the PS3 CE.
Gotta say that I'm okay with those 5€ when I get an installation DVD and codes I can register without doing additional stuff (like creating a PSN account etc.) for that.

[Aki]

Hello there,

here I am with a clarification regarding the info I gave one or two pages ago. First of all I have to say: I am not happy 'bout this. Second: finiteHP, you will be fine with what you did. Please read below.

Source (First quote bubble. Again translated by myself, please have mercy x_x )

Q: I played the old version of FFXIV and there are characters on my account. I'd like the bonus pre-order items and the ingame items of the Collector's Edition. If I pre-order the CE and add the codes for CE items and pre-order items to my existing account, do I get all ingame items?

A: You will receive the pre-order items, but you can't use the codes of the PC CE on an existing Windows-Account. To receive the ingame items of the CE, please use the digital Upgrade-Service.
Nevertheless, it is possible to connect the PS3 CE with an existing account of the Windows version, which gives you the ability to receive the ingame items of the CE.

Thanks for the update. I updated my post to reflect this upgrade path, though it's a shame that there isn't an easier way to upgrade in your situation.

[JillyBean]

Hello there,

here I am with a clarification regarding the info I gave one or two pages ago. First of all I have to say: I am not happy 'bout this. Second: finiteHP, you will be fine with what you did. Please read below.

Source (First quote bubble. Again translated by myself, please have mercy x_x )



Actually, I don't know what to do now =____=
Whatever I order, there will be one thing I can't use since I do not own a PS3 and I will have to pay more than normal.


EDIT: Did some math with people from the dark side of the moon. With the actual exchange rate in mind, the digital Upgrade would cost me 14,99€. When I buy the PC CE, which goes for 59,99€, I pay 74,98€ instead of the 69,99€ for the PS3 CE.
Gotta say that I'm okay with those 5€ when I get an installation DVD and codes I can register without doing additional stuff (like creating a PSN account etc.) for that.

Blah! This is so annoying.

I've pre-ordered the physical CE for PC (NA) direct from SE (because no one else is selling it). I want it for... 1) the box of tangible goodies... 2)a physical copy of the game (PC) ... 3) the pre-order bonuses (Cait Sith and Moogle hat)... AND 4) the 4 digital CE bonuses (Helm of Light, Coeurl Mount, Behe barding, Baby Behe minion)

Now your quoted post (not blaming you! lol!) sounds like we get everything except the 4 digital CE bonuses, which makes no sense. On their explanation page it says ...


http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com...96bf81c212957d

Collector's Edition Digital Upgrade Service
The Collector's Edition digital upgrade offers customers the ability to upgrade their standard FFXIV account to Collector's Edition status via the “FFXIV Service Center” website that is scheduled to be opened at the launch of official service, which then grants the in-game bonus items included with the Collector's Edition. Customers in possession of the Collector's Edition for either version 1.0 or A Realm Reborn will receive these Collector's Edition items without needing to purchase the upgrade.]
* Characters that have already been created will be able to receive the items.

Doesn't that seem to say we get them? Because it says "without needing to purchase the upgrade." Further goes on to say "characters already created will receive the items..." Is there something I'm not understanding here?

I could CANCEL my pre-order and instead pre-order the PS3 CE, but I don't really WANT that (I did want physical copy for PC), but now I'm not even sure I don't need a PS3 account thingie to activate everything anyway.

Ugh they need to get over here and clarify more.

[Coris]

There are more questions in Sasunaich's thread. Should I try on translating them too, or should I wait for maybe Camate to update you on everything? :S

[Mjollnir]

If you had the CE of 1.0, you get the 4x ARR CE items automatically without doing anything. I don't get why you're confused. :O

[JillyBean]

I don't have the original CE - just standard (if you're talking to me.) ^^;

[JillyBean]

:O sorry panic a little...so I didn't check all the responses thoroughly.
I read this from foxclonn post#9


it pretty much say (from google translate): if you have normal 1.0 account, you shouldn't purchase ARR PC CE because it can't be added to your old char. you have 2 options:
1. buy PS3 CE and tie to 1.0 account (I want CE bonus and that music blueray)
2. buy digital CE upgrade later

can someone know Japanese confirm it?

/muttering on

/panic /angry why such important information is missed... all we got is from Camate

it didn't say ARR CE for PC can't add to old normal 1.0 account >,<
I need to cancel mine...

EDit:
Just confirmed with ppl who can read japanese in my lab, the text indeed says like what i guessed from google translate:
1.0 normal addition who purchased ARR CE FOR Windows, you can't get the bonus item on old account.

Just saw this on another thread here. Pretty crystal clear.