FFXIV Service Announcements

[Eternal Darkness]

*Takes a deep breath.* Alright, this one is a doozy. I'll be covering three post to the Lodestone made just today. There's a lot of information that I will briefly annotate and links to the Lodestone posts will be provided at the end of this post so you can go over all the details in their particulars. So, without further ado, lets jump into it.

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Upcoming Schedule of Operation and Billing Procedures for FINAL FANTASY XIV (current version)

 

The following is a list of key dates and procedures that are in place for the current version of FFXIV and this effects all players; if you wish to continue playing after September 29, 2012 please read the following:

 

Key dates for current version

• 
  September 29, 2012
  
• Billing procedures will suspend until ARR launches
  
• No further registration or unused special item codes will be accepted
  
• Simultaneous subscription bonuses will be terminated for both FFXIV and FFXI
  November 1, 2012
  
• Character data in current version will no longer be saved
  November 11, 2012
  
• FFXIV service is shut down
  
• Letter from the Producer LIVE Part IV begins at 2:00am (PST)

 

Billing Process and Special Item Codes

 

As stated above, after 9-29-12, you will no longer be able to register new service accounts or use any unused special item codes (i.e., Garlond Goggles, Asuran Armlets) nor will you be able to add new character slots. So, if you want to do any of these things BEFORE the listed cancellation date, I suggest you take the time to do it now.

 

Termination of FFXI and FFXIV subscription bonuses

 

If you have an active subscription to both FFXI and FFXIV, you will be able to transfer your character names to FFXIV. So if you'd like to do this, again, make sure to do it before the September 29th deadline!

 

FFXIV Forums

 

Users who have an active subscription on September 30, 2012 will be allowed access to the forums.

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Playing current FFXIV until end of service!!!!

 

If you skipped any of the above information, this section is the most important if you wish to continue playing until the service for the current version of FFXIV ENDS. So please take the time to read this section.

 

To continue playing the current version of FFXIV for free until the end of its service, you must follow the instructions below:

 

• Current Players:

 

You must log into your account via the Square Enix Account Management System web page. From there, you will need to go to "Select Service" and click Final Fantasy XIV then select "Options List" and finally, "List Options Continued Automatically." From there, just follow the onscreen instructions to complete the registration process.

 

Things to note:

• If your listed end date is after September 30, you will be able to play for free until the current service is terminated.
  
• If your listed date is any date before that, you will not be able to play. You can rectify this by adding game time, at least to my understanding, before September 29th.
  
• If your character is listed as "Continuous", you will be billed on your next scheduled payment of 30 days, after which you will be able to play for free. So you WILL be charged for another 30 days, so keep that in mind.
  
• If your character is listed as "Cancelled" or "To be cancelled", at midnight on September 30th, you will no longer be able to play that character; if you have only one character, then you will not be able to play the current version for free.

 

So make sure, if you wish to continue playing, that your payment schedule is up-to-date and accurate.

 

Former players and new players will need to follow the same basic guidelines, but you will need to either reactivate your account, or activate a new one, BEFORE midnight on September 29, 2012.

 

Moving on...

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Special bonus items and FFXI and FFXIV service information

 

If you have an active Final Fantasy XI subscription, you will be allowed to link your PlayOnline account with your Final Fantasy XIV service account. This proffers a few bonuses: First, you will be able to transfer your character names from FFXI to FFXIV. Second, you will receive a pair of Hermes' Shoes which will increase your characters movement speed.

 

Third, you will receive a discount on your Final Fantasy XI service fee. For up to three months, your subscription fee will drop to $7.00. Again, it's not a permanent drop in price, only temporary. Three months. So, if you wish to have the new item, Hermes' Shoes, you must reactive or activate your FFXI service account and link it to your Square Enix account that contains your FFXIV subscription, if they are not one in the same. A single service account can be discounted up to three times.

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Foundation Day Returneth!

 

*sighs and wipes the beading sweat from his brow* Alright, almost done. The following describes and in game event regarding the Grand Companies.

 

It's been a year since the revival of the Grand Companies and, keeping up with the fashion, they are in no short supply of celebration! As the burgeoning threat of the Empire looms in Mor Dhona, to say nothing of the least of the approach of Dalamund, the Grand Companies seek to raise morale amongst it's ranks.

 

Gratuitous amounts of supplies, wine's and Gysahl greens have been shipped on behalf of the Grand Companies, of which the prices have increased dramatically as of late! The gathering of said supplies can only indicate one thing: Preparations for war.

 

Ok, so as promised, here are the links to the Lodestone posts covered:

• Schedule of Operation and Billing Procedures
  
• Termination of FFXI and FFXIV subscription bonuses
  
• Foundation Day Returneth!