Release dates, costs & Collector's Edition details

[.A²]

Square Enix has dated the PC version of Final Fantasy XIV.

The massively-multiplayer online title will be released worldwide on September 30, with a Collectors' Edition launching on September 22 in Europe, which will provide early access prior to normal release.

It will also come with a behind-the-scenes DVD, a branded tumbler, a map of the game world of Eorzea, a travel journal filled with concept art, a key for additional security for account log-ins and a guest pass for a friend.

Pre-orders of the Standard Edition will come with a pair of in-game Garlond Goggles to increase skill progression, while Collectors' Edition pre-orders will have an exclusive Onion Helm to accelerate character recovery after falling in battle.

Both editions will release with a free 30-day trial, which will be followed by a monthly subscription of £8.99 (€12.99). Each subscription can carry up to eight characters per account at a cost of £2.10 (€3) each.

A non-playable retainer character will also maintain item sales as well as provide item storage while the user is logged out for free, with additional retainers costing 70p (€1) per month.

It was added that the PlayStation 3 version will be released in March 2011 with pricing to be announced at a later time.

The beta for Final Fantasy XIV will launch in July.

Source

For £8.99, I could download a new game from PSN every month, lol.

[Iron Man]

€12.99 a month? No thanks.

I don't have the time or the energy that this kind of game requires.

[TwAlsh]

ya same, if its anything like WOW than it requires all kinds of time and energy to even build a half decent character... No time, especially whilst in school when its released.

[crazzygurl20043]

I don't get why they are releasing the Collector's Edition first. To me, that is a bit weird. But anyway, who would pay that much monthly to play the game when there are so many other games you can play without a monthly subscription. If it was a one-time lifetime subscription, I just may have considered buying the game but now, there is absolutely no chance of me buying it. Better luck next time SE

[Dan]

It's fairly extortionate, probably won't get it

[KoFF]

...

Square >_>. "It won't be like WoW!" Yeah, because you're charging digital game costs every month. Guess it'll be something near the same with the PS3 version. Would love to keep playing but I do not have the money for subscriptions at all, so I'll probably only try the 30 day Trial. Sigh...
And speaking of which, I read it through skipping the part about it being the PC version so I got hyped... Until I saw it all was about the PC version and that the PS3 version only comes out in March next year, wtf! And to think they made it sound like the PS3 version would be the primary focus if anything. They had better release a Collector's Edition for PS3 when the time comes. With my current money, I probably can't even afford the luxury of also getting the PC version(s) if I'm not gonna play the game till the PS3 version.

Dammit, this is a bit of a mindfuck from SE. Really want this, and there are CE's and everything, but it's PC and more than half a year from the PS3 release. Not only that, but the different editions also both have exclusive content, wtf? Maybe all the recent luxury came with a backlash ._.

[Julia†]

I was willing to try this, I liked the system but I ain't cashing out to do it. :\

[KoFF]

That's why a free 30 day trial is good enough if you're set on not playing the game but still wish to try it out.

[01habbo]

This isn't surprising, just furthers my point on how ridiculous subscription fees are.