[3/14] Letter from the Producer LIVE - Special Edition Digest

[Ayasu]

A Special Edition Live Letter aired last night, that went into some details about the collector's editions, release dates, and preordering.

I've gone ahead and compiled it into one big post here, for ease of reading!

Click here to read on!

[Ayasu]

(Original post)

Release Information

When does the game launch?

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward will release globally on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 on the following platforms:

• Windows
• PlayStation 3
• PlayStation 4
• Mac

* Please note that users that play FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn on Steam will need to purchase the Steam version of FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward.


Collector's Edition, Standard Edition, and Bundle all-in-one version

Package version and digital download version

Windows version details and pricing

PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 details and pricing

Windows standard edition packaging

PlayStation 4 version packaging

PlayStation 3 version packaging

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online all-in-one bundle details

Mac version details


Collector's Edition Details

What comes in the Collector?s Edition?

The Collector's Edition comes packed to the brim with both physical and in-game bonus items.

Physical items:

• "The Dragonsong War" Box

The Collector's Edition package features an illustration by famed FINAL FANTASY artist Yoshitaka Amano.
*Please note that packages designs will differ between regions.

• Expertly-Crafted Dragon Mount Figure

A high-quality figure modeled after the new flying mount obtainable in the course of your adventures.

• FINAL FANTASY: Heavensward Art Book "The Art of Eorzea -HEAVENSWARD-"

This art book features a host of artwork created during the development of FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward.

• FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Movie Blu-ray Disc "Eorzea in Motion - A Realm Revisited"

A high-definition compilation of all the trailers released for FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn.

In-game items:

• Flying Griffin Mount

* In order to use this mount you must meet certain requirements.
* Flying mounts can only be used in the new areas that are being introduced in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward.

• Dark Knight Cecil-themed Baron Helm
• Wind-up Kain Minion
• Fantasia

Pre-order Information

When do pre-orders begin?

Pre-orders start on Monday, March 16, 2015.
Pre-orders can be made from the North American SQUARE ENIX Online Store starting at 11:00 a.m. (PDT) and from the European SQUARE ENIX Store starting at 7:00 a.m. (GMT)*

* Pre-order start date/time may differ slightly between other retailers.

Are there any special pre-order bonuses?

We?ll be giving special in-game bonus items as well as early access to Heavensward to players who pre-order FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward.

In-game bonus items

• Baron Circlet and Baron Earrings
• Chocobo Chick Courier

Early Access
Pre-order FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward and receive access to the game ahead of the official launch!

• Early Access Details

* Early access is scheduled to take place starting Friday, June 19, 2015.
* If you would like to take part in Early Access on multiple platforms, you will need to pre-order each platform separately.
* In order to enjoy the benefits of early access to Heavensward content, you need to be playing FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn and have made sufficient progress in the main scenario. As such, early access will not be available to new players who pre-order the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online all-in-one bundle and have yet to begin their adventures.
* You must possess a FINAL FANTASY XIV service account.
* Further details will be included when pre-order codes are distributed.

What do I need to do to receive my pre-order bonus items and early access?

Pre-order Codes

• Pre-ordering from a retail store (North America)

When pre-ordering a physical version of the game from a retail store such as GameStop and Best Buy, a pre-order code will be printed onto your receipt. Please save this code as you will input this into the special FFXIV: Heavensward Pre-Order Site. (Instructions to follow below.)

• Pre-ordering from a physical store (PAL)

When pre-ordering a boxed version of the game from a physical store such as Game or Micromania, you will receive your pre-order code printed on a leaflet. Please save this code as you will need to input this into the special FFXIV: Heavensward Pre-Order Site. (Instructions to follow below.)

• Pre-ordering from an online store (North America)

When purchasing from the SQUARE ENIX Online Store, your store account will host your pre-order code on your account page along with instructions on redeeming it. Other stores, such as Amazon, will email your pre-order code to you. Codes for purchases completed on the SQUARE ENIX Online Store will be available right away; however, retailers may need some time to implement pre-order codes, so it may take a few extra days for them to be sent out when pre-orders begin. Going forward, however, you will be able to receive codes immediately.

• Pre-ordering from an online store (box and download) and SQUARE ENIX Boutique * (Boxed version only) (PAL)

When purchasing from an online store such as Amazon or ordering a boxed version from the SQUARE ENIX Boutique, a pre-order code will be emailed to you **.
* SQUARE ENIX Boutique is the Square Enix online store in France.
**Dispatch dates for emails may differ by country and retailer.

• Pre-ordering from digital download sites, SQUARE ENIX Store or SQUARE ENIX Boutique (Download version only) (PAL)

When pre-ordering from the SQUARE ENIX Store or digital download sites such as GreenManGaming and HumbleBundle, you will receive an Early Access code. An Early Access code will be emailed to you, but cannot be registered on the Mog Station until closer to the launch of FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward on June 23, 2015. You will receive an email notifying you when your code can be redeemed.

I got my pre-order code. Now what do I do with it?

With you pre-order code in hand, head to the following FFXIV: Heavensward Pre-Order Site based on your region (links will be forthcoming)

Log in using your SQUARE ENIX ID and input your pre-order code. After you input your pre-order code, you will be asked to select the platform you wish to apply it to***. Please be sure to confirm that your platform is correct as the pre-order code will be consumed upon use.

Early Access codes will be displayed on the screen when you redeem your pre-order code and will be sent to the email associated with your SQUARE ENIX ID, but cannot be registered on the Mog Station until closer to the launch of FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward on June 23, 2015. You will receive an email notifying you when your code can be redeemed.

*** Currently, there are no pre-orders available for the PlayStation?3 version of the game in the PAL region.


Key Dates

Make sure to mark your calendars with the following key dates!

• March 16, 2015: Pre-orders begin / Heavensward teaser site updated / Pre-order code site opens (NA/EU)
• June 19, 2015: Early Access begins.
• June 23, 2015: Official service for Heavensward begins!

Various Q&A

Can I go to Ishgard right after purchasing Heavensward?

In order to access Ishgard, you will first need to complete the main scenario quest "Before the Dawn," which will be implemented in FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Patch 2.55.

I play on both Windows and PS4. What do I need to purchase?

You will need to purchase both the Windows and PS4 versions of the expansion to play the new content on both platforms. If you would like the exclusive bonus items from the Collector's Edition, you can get them with either the Windows or PS4 version as they will be linked to a single service account. Heavensward must be installed on the client to access the areas that will be added in Heavensward. If you are planning to log back in on a client that doesn't have Heavensward installed, make sure to log out in an FFXIV: ARR area.

I'm using the 20 GB model of the PlayStation 3. Will I be able to install Heavensward?

We are expecting that roughly 20 GB of disk space will be needed in order to install Heavensward, so we recommend upgrading to a larger capacity HDD beforehand. Please refer to the Sony Computer Entertainment support FAQ for NA and support FAQ for EU region for details on upgrading the PlayStation 3 hard drive.

I've purchased the Collector's Edition for A Realm Reborn, but if I purchase the standard edition of Heavensward will I still receive the in-game bonus items for the expansion?

No, you will not receive the bonus items. The bonuses are separate for the A Realm Reborn Collector's Edition and the Heavensward Collector's Edition. If you would like the Heavensward Collector's Edition bonuses, you will need to purchase the Heavensward Collector's Edition.

Will the bonus items be distributed to a single character or to all character under the same account?

Bonus items will be applied to the entire service account, so all characters under the service account will receive the items. Furthermore, any new characters created on the same account afterwards will also receive these items.

Will there be a digital collector's edition upgrade option to receive the collector's edition in-game items?

Yes, there will be. We'll announce further details, including pricing, at a later date.

Will 'The Navel *SUPER' animated video be included on the Collector's Edition blu-ray movie disc?

We'll look into it!

If I pre-order the Mac version will it come with early access?

No, it will not.


And by the way... Before the Fall Part 2 will arrive on March 31, 2015!

Yoshida couldn't resist sharing the following about the upcoming Patch 2.55...

• The Final Coil of Bahamut will be added to the Duty Finder
• The World of Darkness weekly gear limit will be removed
• The amount of MGP you receive in the Gold Saucer will be adjusted
• Adjustments will also be made to the Triple Triad tournaments
• Considering making balance adjustments to Triple Triad NPCs since we've received lots of feedback that certain NPCs can be a bit too strong

[Iseul Gil'Galad]

I'm just confused about the Steam version....

* Please note that users that play FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn on Steam will need to purchase the Steam version of FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward.

Does this mean it will be available for pre-order on Steam as well? Reddit doesn't seem to know either ;;>.>

[Ayasu]

Knowing Steam... yes, but I don't think you'll be able to purchase a physical CE if you're aiming for that at all.

[Laude]

If SE's smart (which they have a bad track record for not being smart) they'll take a note from WoW (or hell, probably any modern MMO/expansion system at this point) and make Heavensward a patch you download, and the CD key/digital purchase is just what unlocks your account to have access to the content, so even if you have the Steam version, you just patch your game then go to the Mog Station to claim your CE key.

But knowing SE, it'll be a separate install. =/ Or it's some weird spaghetti code where it has to be purchased through Steam only or you can't login, or something. I don't know. This is why I don't play through Steam, lol.

[Iseul Gil'Galad]

Blehck. Would be so much less complicated if I had the straight-up PC version. But the reason I got it was cause it was on sale for 50% off on Steam =/ damn you, really good frequent Steam sales!!!!!!

[Ayasu]

Greetings, Adventurers!

The time is finally upon us ? the realm of Eorzea will see its first expansion, and it?s going Heavensward! As you probably know, pre-orders have started today at some retailers.

Fear not, the Steam version will also be available in the future. In the meantime, please keep in mind that you can only upgrade your Steam-version of A Realm Reborn via a Steam version of Heavensward ? others just won?t do!

We will definitely keep you informed on when the Steam pre-orders go live, so keep your eyes on the Community Hub!

Your FFXIV Community Team

http://steamcommunity.com/games/39210/announcements/detail/112927248392952369

[Iseul Gil'Galad]

[growl] hopefully we still get a chance at pre-order with the bonuses =/

[Shane Gough]

But PSN!

[Laude]

Steam will have the Digital Collector's Edition. You just can't use a physical copy or any other digital key. Only digital keys from Steam will work. So, yeah, you're locked into the Steam version. =/

If you have the cash to blow, you can buy the physical CE just for the sake of having it... <_< And digitally purchase your Steam copy.

[N'aline Halah]

Speaking of blowing cash.

Just pre-ordered the PC Box CE <3 <3 <3 (My bank account is crying)