Not sure what I need to purchase?

[MetaVale]

I actually thought it was very straight forward.

Will I be able to play more than one character at the same time?

Yes, but it depends on what platform you would like to play on.
If you wish to play multiple characters at the same time, please refer to the explanations below and ensure you have a copy of the game and registration code for each character you wish to play simultaneously.

■ Windows only: To play three characters simultaneously
- A Square Enix account
- A copy of the Windows version
- Three registration codes obtained from the product or the "FINAL FANTASY XIV Service Center"
*You can register up to eight registration codes per Square Enix account.
*The "FINAL FANTASY XIV Service Center" website will be available after the game is launched. Please note that the website can only be accessed by those who purchased FINAL FANTASY XIV and registered a service account.

■ Windows + PlayStation 3: To play a character from each a version simultaneously
- A Square Enix account
- A copy of the Windows version
- A copy of the PlayStation 3 version
*You can register up to eight registration codes per Square Enix account.
*Please create separate service accounts for the Windows version and the PlayStation 3 version of FINAL FANTASY XIV. You will not be able to play at the same time if you register the codes under the same service account.

■PlayStation 3 only: To play three characters simultaneously
Unfortunately, you cannot play multiple characters in this situation.

Please click here if you wish to play with your friends and family using multiple accounts. Also, please visit this page if you have pre-ordered the PlayStation 3 version of FINAL FANTASYXIV: A Realm Reborn.

Next Links

For those who Pre-ordered the PS3 Version:
Important information for those who have pre-ordered the Playstation 3 version.

■Unfortunately, you can only register a single product code (a code that comes with every copy of the PlayStation 3 version) to a Square Enix account. Please do not purchase more than one copy if you are planning to register them under the same Square Enix account.

The only way for you to create multiple service accounts with the PlayStation 3 version is to purchase additional registration codes through the “FFXIV Service Center” website which will be available after launch. Please note that you will need an active FINAL FANTASY XIV service account in order to access this website.

■Friends and family members playing alternatively with multiple Square Enix accounts:
If multiple people wish to play alternatively on the same console, you will need to prepare a user profile for every person. Once the user profiles are prepared, you can simply switch the user profile accordingly.

Please be sure everyone has the following items ready.
- A Square Enix account
- A Sony Entertainment Network account
- A copy of the PlayStation 3 version

■Friends and family members playing simultaneously with multiple Square Enix accounts:
In this situation, each person will need a PlayStation 3 console.

*Please note that account sharing is a violation of the terms of service. This rule applies to the sharing of Square Enix accounts and Sony Entertainment Network account

Can friends and family play simultaneously if they are on different accounts?

Yes, but the requirements differ depending on what platform you use.

■ Windows only: To play three accounts simultaneously
- Three Square Enix accounts
- Three copies of the Windows version
- Three PCs

■ Windows + PlayStation 3: To play an account from each version simultaneously
- Two Square Enix accounts
- A copy of the Windows version
- A copy of the PlayStation 3 version
- A PC
- A PlayStation 3 console

■PlayStation 3 only: To play 3 characters simultaneously
- Three Square Enix accounts
- Three Sony Entertainment Network accounts
- Three copies of the PlayStation 3 version
- Three PlayStation 3 consoles


Now, for your situation. You are primary account holder. That service account can hold 8 final fantasy 14 accounts. Only one of which will be legacy. Your wife will only play on the PS3. She needs her own SE account and PS3 version of 14. ONLY ONE PS3 REGISTRATION CODE can be linked to an SE account, and this is because Only 1 Playstation ID can be linked to an SE account. If you want to play on the PS3 as well, then you need to buy a second PS3 Copy. If, for some reason, you both want to play on a PC at one point, you need a second computer (because playing on one computer with 2 people would just be a pain in the ass to set up. Possible, but probably not worth it). Now, Playstation IDs are free. So you just make one and link it to your SE account. To play on the PS3 when your wife isn't playing, you make a user account for you, and log into your playstation ID while under the user account, and you're golden.
Example: My bro and I share my PS3. I'm Twin 1, he's Twin 2. Under User ID Twin 1, my playstation ID is Twin1Rules. I log into it, boot up PS3 14, and laugh all the way to the bank. Now Twin 2 wants to play. He kicks me off the PS3 (because Twin 1 also has the PC version), logs into his ps3 user account Twin 2, signs into his PS ID Twin1Sucks, and boots up PS3 14 while I boot up my PC version, and we then proceed to happily slaughter marmets and funguar for hours on end. Total Cost: $60 dollars before taxes for 2 ps3 copies assuming we didn't get the Collectors Edition.

For people who are Dual Boxing (as in, 2 or more active characters on 1 PC), As long as you want to pay for those additional SE Accounts, you can do it providing your computer can handle it. Say I wanted to play 6 characters at once, I would need 6 PC registration codes tied to one SE account, or 6 separate SE Accounts. I know the first link is a little ambiguous, but the second link clears that up.


Hope this helps. And I copy/pasted the info because its always good to have in front of you when deciding on what you want to do.

Edit: Forgot to add: Once the Service Center goes live with the launch of 14 you can purchase Registration Codes for both PC and PS3 versions without having to get the physical copy. I'm assuming this will also have a link for digital download for PC and PS3 versions without having to go through the PS Store.