Retry.
A year after the abysmal MMO was released on unsuspecting FF fans on PC, it looks like Square-Enix are finally ready to say with some confidence that things are looking up.
You might recall that, in response to the widely negative reviews of the game from critics, and the general panning from fans, Square-Enix removed all the subscription fees for the title, effectively making it free-to-play.
Until now.
Having effectively “remade” FFXIV with a team of 250-strong people, Square-Enix are now certain the game is something worth paying for.
So starting next month, subscribers will once again start paying to play. FFXIV producer/director, Naoki Yoshida, has said in a statement that this is a necessary step moving forward.
Square-Enix have revamped the user interface, refined management systems and basically restructured the game based on feedback from critics and the community.
“In the ten months since the Final Fantasy 14 team’s restructuring, we have put forth the utmost effort into not only improving the game’s existing features, but also creating a concrete plan to outline the game’s new direction.”
What is this new direction?
Well, for one, the Playstation 3 version of the game is back on the cards.
By this time next year, Square-Enix will be integrating servers and data in preparation for the Playstation 3 release of the title – this “all-new” version of FFXIV will be called Final Fantasy XIV Online Version 2.0.
Or FFXIVO2 for short.
During that time, gamers can expect yet another free-to-play trial period as well as a beta period for the PS3.
Interpretation: things are likely to break.
Not many games get a second chance – especially not over the span of 2 years – but perhaps Square-Enix might be able to salvage something out of this.
No word on whether they’re still using the problematic Click and Buy system for subscriptions; but seeing as all existing accounts are still there…it looks that way.
Eish.
Final Fantasy XIV Online version 2.0 for Playstation 3 is set for release early 2013, if anyone still cares.
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Final Fantasy XIV Online version 2.0 << Comments and Views
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