Final Fantasy XIV players on Nintendo Switch 2 will soon need to pay for access. Square Enix’s month-long launch grace period is ending, bringing the console version back under its subscription model.
When does the Switch 2 free period finish?
The complimentary period ends on Monday, 7 September, at 11:59 p.m. local time. After that deadline, a subscription will be required for players who want to continue using the Switch 2 version of the MMO.
Square Enix confirmed the change in a post on the Lodestone blog. The arrangement differs from the game’s usual platform setup: Switch 2 players need a separate Final Fantasy XIV subscription, even if they already subscribe elsewhere.
What Switch 2 players need to know
There are two notable concessions. Final Fantasy XIV on Switch 2 does not require a Nintendo Switch Online membership, and existing subscribers on other platforms receive 50% off the Switch 2 subscription price.
The purchasing process is also different from a standard Nintendo subscription. Players must buy FFXIV Coins through the Nintendo eShop, then use those coins through the Final Fantasy XIV Mog Station to manage subscription payments.
FFXIV Coins can also be spent on optional products in the Final Fantasy XIV Online Store. Automatic renewal is available, but it will only function when the account contains enough coins to cover the next payment.
How to keep playing
Buying and registering either the Starter Edition or Complete Edition provides 30 days of free play time. Once those 30 days expire, a paid subscription is still necessary.
There is one subscription-free option. Anyone who has never bought any version of Final Fantasy XIV can continue using the game’s free trial without subscribing. That option is separate from the temporary Switch 2 launch grace period.
Is Final Fantasy XIV worth playing on Switch 2?
Despite the extra steps surrounding access and payment, Final Fantasy XIV reportedly runs smoothly on Nintendo’s newer console. For some players, Switch 2 may ultimately prove to be the most appealing platform for the acclaimed MMO.
The news is another reminder that modern gaming hardware can involve more than a cabinet, screen and controls. Readers comparing dedicated entertainment setups can explore RETROCADE’s arcade news and gaming coverage, browse the arcade machine buying guide, or see the available arcade machine options.
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