A lot of the same questions have been asked and answered in various threads so I felt some FAQs would be useful. There's a lot to cover, but I'll try to answer as many questions as possible with plans to update this FAQ in the future. I'll also be adding sources for some of these answers over the next couple of days.
Any suggestions for common questions I may have missed would be appreciated.
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Question Index
General FAQs
What is FFXIV: A Realm Reborn?
Who is the Producer of A Realm Reborn?
When will the game be released?
I already own FFXIV, do I need to purchase A Realm Reborn in order to play?
When will the PS4 version of the game be released?
When will a DirectX 11 version be released?
What are my options for paying the subscription fee?
Am I allowed to stream or record and post video and/or audio of gameplay online?
Pre-Order and Early Access FAQs
What are the rewards for pre-ordering the game?
How do I gain Early Access?
When does Early Access begin?
How do the pre-order codes work?
How do PC and PS3 codes differ?
Where do I use my Pre-Order code?
How can I tell what region my code is for?
I am receiving errors when entering my pre-order code, what do they mean?
Legacy FAQs
What does the term "Legacy" refer to?
What are the benefits of having a Legacy account?
How do I obtain "Legacy" status?
How can I determine if my account is a "Legacy" account?
Game Client and Launcher FAQs
I played during Open Beta (Phase 4), do I need to delete my current client and download a new one?
Data Center and Server FAQs
Where are the data centers located?
How many servers are there?
What is a Legacy server?
When will server transfers be allowed?
Do I have to pay to transfer my character to another server?
Are there any penalties for transferring servers?
General Game FAQs
When can I use mounts?
How does Rested EXP work?
Launch FAQs
Also Coming Soon.
Please look forward to it.
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General FAQs
What is FFXIV: A Realm Reborn?
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is a revamped version of Square Enix's fourteenth installment in the Final Fantasy franchise. The game is Square Enix's second Final Fantasy trademarked MMORPG following Final Fantasy XI. Originally released as Final Fantasy XIV on September 22nd, 2010 the game received poor reviews from most critics and gamers alike. These poor results led the original producer, Hiromichi Tanaka, to resign from his position as Producer on Final Fantasy XIV. Square Enix would also decide to restructure a majority of the design team.
Who is the Producer of A Realm Reborn?
Naoki Yoshida is the current Producer and Director behind the revamp of FFXIV. Before being hired as the producer Yoshida had experience leading teams on smaller titles such as, Dragon Quest: Monster Battle Road and Dragon Quest X for Square Enix. Yoshida is commonly referred to by players as Yoshi-P, but he still uses his full name, Naoki Yoshida, when posting on the
FFXIV Official forums.
When will the game be released?
A Realm Reborn is scheduled to release globally for PC and PS3 on August 27th, 2013.
I already own FFXIV, do I need to purchase A Realm Reborn in order to play?
No, if you own a copy of the original game you will be able to download the new client for free. However, if you wish to play on the PS3 then you will need to purchase a copy of the game for that platform and attach it to your already existing service account.
When will the PS4 version of the game be released?
At this time no exact date has been provided, but Square Enix did announce the game will be released on PS4 in 2014.
When will a DirectX 11 version be released?
An update for players who wish to use a more graphically rich game client that utilizes DirectX 11 will be released sometime in 2014 according to Producer/Director Naoki Yoshida.
What are my options for paying the subcription fee?
In North America and Europe players will be able to pay their monthly fee by using a credit card or by purchasing and using game time cards found in stores within their area.
Am I allowed to stream or record and post video and/or audio of gameplay online?
Square Enix has not stated that they will go after players legally for streaming or posting gameplay video online. Unfortunately, the game will still be under NDA during the Early Access period, which only permits players to post screenshots of the game online. Once full service begins the NDA will be lifted and players will be allowed to stream and post gameplay footage online.
[Source]
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Pre-Order and Early Access FAQs
What are the rewards for pre-ordering the game?
Players who pre-order the game from authorized resellers will receive a pre-order code that can be used to redeem two exclusive in-game items, a Mog Cap and Cait Sith Minion, as well as Early Access to the game.
How do I gain Early Access?
In order to play during the Early Access period you must A) Pre-order the game from an authorized retailer or B) Be a Legacy account holder.
When does Early Access begin?
Servers will go live for players with Early Access on Saturday August 24th, 2013 at 2:00AM PT (4:00AM CT, 5:00AM ET, and 9:00AM GMT)
How do the pre-order codes work?
The code you received should be an 18 digit code that should read as a series of six letters followed by three numbers another series of six letters and another series of three numbers. It should read like so, AAAAAA-123-AAAAAA-123.
Once you have entered this code you will be provided a second code that will be used to redeem your Early Access and Pre-Order items.
How do PC and PS3 codes differ?
Redeemed PC and PS3 pre-order codes will look quite different from one another. PC codes will be five series of four totaling 20 characters where as PS3 codes will be three series of four totaling 12 characters.
Both types of codes can be used to redeem Early Access and pre-order items for a single service account; however, the codes are platform specific and can only be entered on the platform for which they are intended.
Where do I use my Pre-Order code?
Please visit the pre-order website located at
preorder.na.finalfantasyxiv.com.
Important: Be sure that your Square Enix members account is using the proper language for your region. Redemption codes are region locked and are assigned by the servers automatically based on the default language of your account.
How can I tell what region my code is for?
PC pre-order code regions are designated by the first series of four numbers within your code. Codes for North America should begin with RAAU and codes for Europe should begin with RAAE. If you somehow received an improper code for your region be sure to contact Square Enix support.
I am receiving errors when entering my pre-order code, what do they mean?
There are several Error codes that players have come across when trying to use their codes. The most common errors are Error 1 and Error 3 with a third less common Error 2.
Square Enix has stated that Errors 1 & 3 are server congestion errors and should be resolved once server traffic subsides.
Error 2 indicates that a pre-order code has already been used.
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Legacy FAQs
What does the term "Legacy" refer to?
When players use the term "Legacy" they are generally referring to the status of certain accounts and players from 1.0.
What are the benefits of having a "Legacy" account?
There are several benefits toward having a Legacy account. First and foremost is a permanently reduced subscription fee, $9.99/mo, for the life of the account. Legacy accounts receive the same number of character creation slots as Standard subscribers who pay $14.99/mo. In addition, Legacy accounts receive an exclusive Legacy Chocobo for use across all characters on the account as well as the ability to include a name in the credits for FFXIV: A Realm Reborn.
How do I obtain "Legacy" status?
At this time players are unable to receive Legacy account status. Square Enix has not announced any further plans to allow current and new players to receive this designation.
How can I determine if my account is a "Legacy" account?
The easiest way to find out if your account holds Legacy status is by logging into the game and looking for this icon,
, which should be displayed in the lower right of your screen.
You may also determine Legacy status by logging into your account on
Square Enix's Account Management System, clicking on Select Service and then Final Fantasy XIV under the Services and Options tab on your account.
The image below shows what should be visible on your service account if you have Legacy status.
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Game Client and Launcher FAQs
I played during Open Beta (Phase 4), do I need to delete my current client and download a new one?
No, the client used during Beta Phase 4 will be used moving forward. The most recent version of the client can be downloaded
here.
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Data Center and Server FAQs
Where are the data centers located?
Currently there are two data centers for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. One is located in Tokyo, Japan, which hosts all of the JP servers and the other is located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, which hosts all of the NA/EU servers.
How many servers are there?
There are currently 50 servers for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
A full and comprehensive server list can be found
here.
What is a Legacy server?
Legacy servers are specifically designated servers where all characters from version 1.0 of the game must reside. Currently there are 10 servers assigned as Legacy servers, 5 of which are located at the Japanese datacenter and the other 5 located at the NA/EU data center.
These servers are as follows:
Legacy (JP)
- Aegis
- Durandal
- Gungnir
- Masamune
- Ridill
Legacy (NA/EU)
- Balmung
- Excalibur
- Hyperion
- Sargatanas
- Ragnarok (EU)
When will server transfers be allowed?
Square Enix hasn't made any detailed announcements regarding server transfers, but in the most recent Live Letter, Letter from the Producer Live Part VIII, director Naoki Yoshida stated that information regarding server transfers will be announced roughly two to three weeks after official launch.
Do I have to pay to transfer my character to another server?
Producer/Director Naoki Yoshida stated that yes, server transfers will be a paid service. A price has not yet been announced.
Are there any penalties for transferring servers?
No detailed information has been provided, but Producer/Director Naoki Yoshida did state there will likely be a penalty on the amount of gil players can transfer with. He hinted at the possibility for players to only be able to carry 10% of their gil with them.
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General Game FAQs
When can I use mounts?
Mounts are available for use after achieving level 20 and completing the necessary main story missions. Even if you have access to a Legacy Chocobo, CE Couerl Mount, etc. you will be unable to use them until completing the aforementioned requirements.
How does Rested EXP work?
Rested EXP is obtained by spending time or by logging out in a Sanctuary. Sanctuaries are located within Inn Rooms and at all Aetheryte camps found throughout the game's world. Rested EXP is shared across all classes and scales with your currently equipped class as a percentage. If you have 20% bonus exp as a 48MRD you will still have a 20% bonus as a 14THM.
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Launch FAQs
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If you see any misinformation or mistakes let me know so I can edit the post to make corrections.