You've decided to play Final Fantasy XIV! The community is excited to welcome you to our favourite MMO.
Unfortunately one of the most difficult parts of FFXIV is... actually getting the game.
There is an official page breaking down version differences you can check out, but it's still pretty confusing.
Never fear though, this page is here to make it
worse better.
First order of business is a Square Enix account. Your SE account is used to log in to the game launcher and the various game websites.
FFXIV has a very generous free trial that we highly recommend you take advantage of if you've never played before!
The free trial lets you play all the way up until level {{trial_level_cap}} and includes the base game (A Realm Reborn) and the {{trial_expansions_text}} expansions. It has a few restrictions on things like trading but is otherwise the full experience with no playtime limits!
Your account is shared across platforms but you need to own the game on each platform you wish to play.
This means that if you want to be able to play on both PC as well as your PS5, you'll have to purchase the game AND expansions on both.
You are not limited to only controllers on console or only mouse & keyboard on PC/Mac! You can use what you prefer on each platform.
FFXIV is available as both a standalone game via Square Enix directly or through Steam. Once you choose one of these options you cannot play via the other. This is strictly a personal preference, but getting the game via Steam does make certain things like buying expansions slightly more cumbersome.
If you play the free trial or purchase the game on Steam, you will always have to buy future expansions via Steam too. In some cases after purchasing on Steam you will then have to perform an additional step of adding your product key to your Square Enix account.
When the game or it's expansions are on sale, these sales are not always the same between platforms. For example, an expansion might be discounted during a Steam Summer Sale, but still priced the same in the Square Enix Store.
Steam also benefits from regional pricing which may benefit you if you live outside North America or even some European countries.
You'll use this to log in to the FFXIV launcher to play the game on all platforms.
The free trial has no playtime limit. You can play as much as you want in content from the included expansions.
Steam players can start the free trial from inside the Free Trial game launcher.
You'll need to get a game license by purchasing the game on your platform of choice.
The Starter Edition and Complete Edition both include free game time!
Includes the same expansions as the free trial, but removes the trial restrictions.
It still requires a subscription but is a cheaper way to start playing the game!
Square-Enix StoreIncludes all expansions up to {{complete_expansion}}. After the latest expansion is released the Complete Edition will eventually be upgraded to include it.
Currently unavailable Square-Enix StoreIncludes the same expansions as the free trial, but removes the trial restrictions.
It still requires a subscription but is a cheaper way to start playing the game!
View FFXIV on SteamIncludes all expansions up to {{complete_expansion}}. After the latest expansion is released the Complete Edition will eventually be upgraded to include it.
Currently unavailable View FFXIV on SteamIncludes the same expansions as the free trial, but removes the trial restrictions.
It still requires a subscription but is a cheaper way to start playing the game!
Square-Enix StoreIncludes all expansions up to {{complete_expansion}}. After the latest expansion is released the Complete Edition will eventually be upgraded to include it.
Currently unavailable Square-Enix StoreIncludes the same expansions as the free trial, but removes the trial restrictions.
It still requires a subscription but is a cheaper way to start playing the game!
PlayStation StoreIncludes all expansions up to {{complete_expansion}}. After the latest expansion is released the Complete Edition will eventually be upgraded to include it.
Currently unavailable PlayStation StoreIncludes the same expansions as the free trial, but removes the trial restrictions.
It still requires a subscription but is a cheaper way to start playing the game!
Microsoft StoreIncludes all expansions up to {{complete_expansion}}. After the latest expansion is released the Complete Edition will eventually be upgraded to include it.
Currently unavailable Microsoft StoreCareful when a new expansion is near!
Purchasing the newest expansion grants you all previous expansions as well. This means you can purchase the Starter Edition to start playing, and pre-order the new expansion. When it releases, you'll receive the expansions not covered by the Starter Edition without having to pay the full price of the Complete Edition!Get the game launcher on your platform of choice.
Download the Windows game launcher.
Download the Mac game launcher.
You're all set!
If that seemed straightforward then this page has done it's job.
The information on this site is aimed at helping streamline the process, and it lacks a lot of the more specific details and may be outdated or even incorrect in some cases. Please make sure to review the information on the official websites and product pages!
Final Fantasy XIV requires a monthly subscription fee to play on top of purchasing the game. When you first buy the Starter Edition or Complete Edition, you'll receive game time bundled with it.
You can manage your account and subscription via the Mog Station.
I would highly recommend adding an authenticator (One-Time Password) to your account as well for additional security.
Steam players can even use their Steam Wallet to pay for subscription time.
When you pre-order a new FFXIV expansion or buy a special edition on Steam you will receive a CD Key. This CD key has to be redeemed on the Mog Station to activate the purchase on your account.
Open your Steam game library and locate Final Fantasy XIV. Right-click the game and select Mange > CD Keys.