Early Access QuestionFollow

I have a 1.0 CE copy of the game that isn't legacy/early access, but I'm interested in playing as soon as possible. Can I buy a SE copy of ARR and apply the early access code that comes with it to my 1.0 CE account, or is the early access code linked to the SE copy of ARR that I buy? Ultimately, I'd like to buy a new copy and apply the code to my CE account and give away the SE copy of ARR to a friend or something that is interested.

I actually have another question, does a 1.0 CE account get any special in game items like 2.0 CE accounts? If not, it would make more sense to just play on the 2.0 SE copy I buy since it gets more free game time wouldn't it?

Oh I didn't even know that was an option. So I can either use the SE ARR code on my 1.0 CE account to get pre-order items plus 30 days of game time or give the code away to a friend so they can actually play? But not both, correct? If I use the SE ARR code on my 1.0 CE account, it's like there's only one account as opposed to two?

Trying to find an official link for this. Google is not helpful today.

Edit: There you are: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/61990-FINAL-FANTASY-XIV-A-Realm-Reborn-Purchase-Questions?p=997580#post997580



Edited, Jul 27th 2013 6:32pm by PhoenixOmbre

Just to clarify, I'm 99% sure that you can't add a new game code to an existing account, only a pre-order code. In other words, existing accounts will only be able to acquire up to two weeks of 'free' game time. A new code requires a new account, so you couldn't effectively add that 30 days time to an existing account.

EDIT: As in new account, I refer to Service Account and not a whole new account, so you would have 14 days free on the old purchase and 30 days free on the new, which would not have interchangeable characters and items and would require their own subscription fees. (Also, they would deplete simultaneously) To make a long story short, there is no way to get 44 days of free time with a 99% certainty (although I've heard some saying that adding a PS3 code to an existing PC service account will allow it, I would be skeptical, at best)

Edited, Jul 30th 2013 5:09pm by DragonBourne

Edited, Jul 30th 2013 5:11pm by DragonBourne

You will automatically get the 2.0 CE items just by owning the 1.0 CE. If you register the pre-order code to your existing 1.0 account, you will get early access on that account and the pre-order items. However, you can not add the actual game code to your existing 1.0 account. You can only register a new game code to a new Service account. The pre-order code and the game code are separate.

Most likely, they will offer a free download from the PS store which will work for P4 (and early access if you have a registered account that meets the conditions for it). Once the game goes live, you'll probably have to reinstall with the actual physical copy for the full game (or possibly just be able to update the first patch if you're game still isn't there yet).

Thanks, sounds complicated. I'm a lifetime XBox user, buying a PS3 just to play ARR. Too expensive to upgrade PC. I won't pick up the new console until the 19th though, when Gamestop has a coupon that will go active for 50% extra in trade-ins. Looks like I am going to have both a console and game learning curve, since I didn't play FFXIV 1.0 or any of the betas.

I am still convinced that I have seen this officially somewhere... but anyway, here's the unofficial translation of an official post. Bonus points if you speak Japanese and can tell me if it's right!

Source: http://forum.square-enix.com/ARR-Test/threads/6401-Translation-JP-to-EN?p=600865&viewfull=1#post600865

Here ya go. Managed to track down one of the sources here.



Just think of the game code as a proof of purchase and the pre-order as proof that you purchased it prior to release. They are two different proofs. Hope this helps.

EDIT: Sorry, just noticed your post touches on a different issue. That is interesting that the Welcome Back is a specific time frame and not tailored to the individuals return. What that means is that if you don't come back at release, as a 1.0 player, you miss out on the chance to try it out. I still wouldn't recommend buying a full version of ARR just to get 30 days free, as the cost of a month is much less. For standard edition 1.0 accounts, it's still more economically viable to just buy the digital CE upgrade then pay for a month than to buy the full CE version just to get 30 days free. Unless, of course, you wanted the physical CE items, but you would be forced to abandon your old Service account to register the code. This is all assuming that you do not own both a PS3 or want the PS3 edition. If so, then it is simple. Simply buy the PS3 CE edition and bind the game code to your existing Windows Service account. (One Service account can have a Windows and PS3 version bound to it simultaneaously, but not two of the same platform). I know it's confusing to grasp at first and hope I explained it well enough. Again, hope this may help someone make an informed decision.


Edited, Jul 31st 2013 4:31pm by DragonBourne

I'm going to go with slightly. Maybe a flow chart would help