Final Fantasy XIV Gets Release Date, Collector's Edition

[DoctorFinger]

Square Enix has announced the North American release schedule for Final Fantasy XIV. The PC version will be in stores on September 30 with a price tag of $50, while the PS3 version will drop in March.

Square also announced a $75 Collector's Edition of the game. The CE will actually be in stores first, on September 22. The CE will also include:

• Adventurers Branded Tumbler: Carry a small piece of Eorzea around with you with this branded tumbler
• Behind-the-Scenes DVD: Get an insider look at the making of FFXIV with exclusive video content, interviews and more in this special documentary DVD
• Early access: Play a few days prior to the release of the PC Standard Edition
• Free Gameplay: 30-day free gameplay
• Guest Pass: Invite a friend to play free for a limited time
• Map of Eorzea: A detailed map showing the key areas of Eorzea, essential for the committed traveller
• Security Token: A FFXIV branded Security Token used in addition to your regular password
• Travel Journal: Record your travels in this journal filled with pages of never-before-seen concept art

Info on the monthly subscription fee should be forthcoming shortly.

Source - VG247.

[JayVe]

After playing Final Fantasy XIII, I don't trust Squeenix at all.

[Goronmon]

Well, I was planning to get the PS3 version, but not if it's going to be such a long delay between releases. Though that Spetember release is a pretty big surprise. I was expecting November at the earliest.

[BigJonno]

Wow, that is quite a gap between the two formats. Was that expected at all?

[Goronmon]

Just out of curiosity though, how reliable is the direct source (mcvuk.com)? It seems like sort of an obscure place for news this big to come out of.

[DoctorFinger]

It was implied strongly that the PS3 and PC versions would ship at the same time. Don't know what's causing the delay, but the PC is supposed to start beta testing in July, with no date set for the PS3 beta yet.

[DoctorFinger]

Originally Posted by Goronmon

Just out of curiosity though, how reliable is the direct source (mcvuk.com)? It seems like sort of an obscure place for news this big to come out of.

They're a big site. It's on other sites too, but MCV had the most info in their story on it.

[Goronmon]

Yeah, just making sure. It also looks like retailers are showing it as available as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Final-Fantasy-.../dp/B003O6EFKI

[cawblen]

Out of curiosity, i wonder how many of us will choose the PC version or the PS3 version. Hmm, maybe i should start a poll.

Anyone have an idea about what subscription pricing is gonna be like?

Gorvi, care to chime in?

[BigJonno]

Originally Posted by Goronmon

Just out of curiosity though, how reliable is the direct source (mcvuk.com)? It seems like sort of an obscure place for news this big to come out of.

MCV is the UK game industry's trade paper. It's been around for decades. When I worked for Toys 'R' Us and we started getting it delivered, it was like getting the gospels handed down on a regular basis.

[Dukefrukem]

yeh I wasn't expecting a release date this year at all. When was the last time two major FF titles dropped in the same year?

[Dukefrukem]

BTW, this is coming to steam right? Since Square is on Steam. :-D

[Goronmon]

No word on subscription prices yet. I'm expecting $15 a month, which is fairly standard. Though they could do something like FFXI where it's $13 but you pay for extra characters.

Or they could just do more than $15 a month. Won't know until they tell us.

Edit: By the wording of the news, it almost sounds like the standard edition won't get a free month. But that would be strange.

[Sandman]

Starting a few days early? Now that's a nice CE bonus.

[BigJonno]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Starting a few days early? Now that's a nice CE bonus.

It's a pretty standard pre-order bonus for MMOs now, which cleverly does double duty as a means of easing the strain on the servers for the first couple of days.

[Goronmon]

A week head-start and a security token? I think that's enough to sell me a collector's edition.

[DoctorFinger]

Sub prices in the UK: £9/month plus £2.10/month for each extra character, up to 8 total characters per account.

Charging for every extra character seems a bit extreme.

I'll update the OP when I get confirmed NA sub pricing.

[BigJonno]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

Sub prices in the UK: £9/month plus £2.10/month for each extra character, up to 8 total characters per account.

Charging for every extra character seems a bit extreme.

I'll update the OP when I get confirmed NA sub pricing.

How many character slots do you get with the standard fee?

[Goronmon]

Apparently there is subscription info now.

http://www.ffxivcore.com/topic/7178-...ber-30th-2010/

The monthly subscription fee will be £8.99 (€12.99) with additional characters available for £2.10 (€3.00) a month. A maximum of eight characters can be registered on any one account.

So maybe that does mean $12.99 a month. I would be happy with that.

Edit: Gah, too slow.

[Goronmon]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

Sub prices in the UK: £9/month plus £2.10/month for each extra character, up to 8 total characters per account.

Charging for every extra character seems a bit extreme.

It's the same setup as FFXI just more per extra character, so not a big surprise there. Honestly, with the job system, you don't really need extra characters nearly as much. Plus it cuts down on the creation of alts for spammers/jerks/griefers/etc.