In a surprising announcement, Square Enix has revealed that the Xbox version of Final Fantasy XIV will now require players to have an Xbox Game Pass subscription in addition to the game's own monthly cost. This decision has left many fans puzzled, especially since PlayStation players do not need a PlayStation Plus subscription, and PC players require no additional subscriptions.
The Xbox Game Pass Core, the most affordable tier, costs $9.99 for one month, $24.99 for three months, or $59.99 for a year. This means that the minimum monthly cost for Xbox players to enjoy Final Fantasy XIV is $17.98 if they opt for the longest subscription periods for both the game and the Game Pass. Alternatively, players can pay $24.98 on a monthly basis.
The open beta for the Xbox Series X|S version of Final Fantasy XIV is scheduled to begin on February 21, 2024. However, existing players with the Free Trial version or a registered license will not be able to participate in the open beta on Xbox. They will need to wait for the official release and link their Square Enix account to their Microsoft account.
Fans have expressed their discontent with this decision, calling it an unexpected move. Some have pointed out that Xbox will be the only platform where players need both a paid online subscription and a game subscription. Others criticize it as a "greedy move," highlighting that players may not have time to benefit from a Game Pass subscription while playing an MMO.
Square Enix has not provided any specific details about when the Xbox version will be officially released, but it will be immediately after the conclusion of the open beta test.
Source: finalfantasyxiv.com