February 12, 2014February 12, 2014

Final Fantasy XIV Hits PS4 April 14th, Beta Details, New Trailer

Hello everyone! Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn launches for PS4 on April 14th, 2014. Many players have questions about the beta, as well as the PS3-to-PS4 transfer process for accounts. Folks were wondering who could participate in the beta, if they could use existing characters, if they needed an existing account, or could jump right in.

Well, luckily enough, today marks the reveal of a whole lot of answers you’ve been waiting for. And not just that — but also a trailer, fully recorded with PS4 in-game scenes.

Okay, let’s get started with some information:

Beta Info

Phase 1: February 22nd to March 3rd.
Phase 2: April 4th to April 7th.
Japanese Standard Time assumed for all dates.
The beta will be accessible for everyone with a PS4, and directly downloadable from PlayStation Store.
There will be a character wipe after phase 1.
Players who made their character in beta phase two will be able to bring this data to the retail version.
PS3 and PC players of FFXIV will be able to transfer character data to the PS4 (please note that this is only necessary for the beta — in the retail version, all players will play on the same servers).

PS3 to PS4 transfer

The transfer service is scheduled to begin Friday, April 11th, 2014. Please be aware that after transferring to the PS4 you’ll be unable to play the PS3 version using your existing copy. Users who wish to play using both the PS3 and PS4 are required to purchase the PS4 version separately. Users who own multiple service accounts for the PS3 can transfer all accounts to the PS4. Users transferring their accounts will have access during the early access period, scheduled from April 11th to the 13th. Please note: to transfer your PS3 account, you must have logged into it from a PS3 at least once.

PS4 features

Upgraded graphics on the PS4 in glorious 1080p (see trailer).
PS Vita Remote Play — craft, gather, and play wherever you go.
Share-support — stream your gameplay or share screenshots.
Mouse & Keyboard Support — switching over from a PC? No problem!
Touchpad-Support — the touchpad of Dualshock 4 is fully supported.

Did that whet your appetite?

Fun fact: to create the two-minute long trailer above, we recorded more than six hours of footage, creating over 800GB of videos at 1080p. I’m also in that video, visible at around 0:34. The first one to guess who I am will have the honor of being right!

Did you like what you just read? Let us know in the comments. And as usual, we’ll keep you posted.

Comments are closed.

85 Comments

BahumatIsBack
February 12, 2014 at 3:10 am PST

OK, so I have the PS3 version and played for a little while. I can import my character to the PS4 beta, but after phase 1, the character gets wiped. And since I transferred my character from PS3, I can no longer play on PS3…….

So basically if I want to participate in the beta I’ll end up shooting myself in the foot by losing all my progress after phase 1 and have to start over……surely that can’t be right. Could you please explain how this works better?
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:17 pm PST
  
  Actually, in phase 1 of the Beta, you cannot import your character. You’ll be creating a fresh, brand-new character to play the game and try out the Beta. In phase 2 is when you can import your existing character, and then carry over your information to the full release on PS4!
KeefRiffards
February 12, 2014 at 3:11 am PST

Can’t wait! Thanks for including Mouse and Keyboard support, as I like using a combination of my Dual Shock and the two. This is going to be awesome, just what I was waiting for to start up my subscription again!
KeefRiffards
February 12, 2014 at 3:12 am PST

#1 – You cannot import your characters for phase 1 of the beta.
BahumatIsBack
February 12, 2014 at 3:14 am PST

nevermind, I just saw that you can’t transfer a PS3 character until after phase 2, so what exaclty is the point for the people that have already played some and want to continue playing on the PS4? It looks like it would be better to completely avoid the beta and wait for the official launch. Kinda makes me wonder though……there’s games on the PSN store that never leave “beta”….hopefully this isn’t one of those kind of “betas”
supraking898
February 12, 2014 at 3:17 am PST

I have FF14 in my download list on PS3, will I need the game disk to get the PS4 version for free?
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:18 pm PST
  
  You will need to log into the PS3 version of the game at least once to take advantage of the transfer service that will be available. As long as you’ve done that, you’ll qualify!
BahumatIsBack
February 12, 2014 at 3:20 am PST

@5 – no. They already said that if you bought the digital PS3 version then you’ll be able to download the digital PS4 version for free. Afterwards, you won’t be able to use the PS3 version anymore though
KeefRiffards
February 12, 2014 at 3:28 am PST

Bahumat, it won’t be one of those kind of betas, it has an end date scheduled for it. Also, as far as your first question, a beta is to try out the game and work out any remaining kinks that may exist. It’s sole purpose isn’t for you to play the game, with all of it’s features, early. Just wait for the actual release, or at least the second phase of the beta, where you can actually import characters. Phase 1 is more for PS4 owners to get a small taste of what it’s all about on their new system. The last thing anyone would want would be to import their character in Phase 1 and have something unexpected happen, wiping their saves for the ACTUAL release of the game.
mixedkidbx
February 12, 2014 at 3:29 am PST

Guess I’ll be waiting till i can jump on the PS4 version for free from the PS3 verison. When they did the free weekend play thing i logged on to find my gil gone. Email support but cuz it was a weekend i couldnt get ahold of anyone till after the weekend. Then was told i need to speak to a GM in the game, but only way to do that would be to pay for a month. I wont be coming back to this game unless my gil is restored.

How can you just take away someones gil SE, not send them an email or nothing saying why you took the gil, and then when the person finally gets on the game they in shock cuz the gil is gone.

SE has disappointed me with their lack of customer service.
BahumatIsBack
February 12, 2014 at 3:46 am PST

@Keef, yeah that’s kinda what I gathered from the article but it doesn’t make sense at all to make the beta free for every PS4 owner, but to exclude people who payed for and played on the PS3 from playing without forcing them to start completely over. I’ve got too much time in on my character to start over.

It’s a disappointing policy no matter how you look at it. It’s screwing over the early adopters like myself and many others. If we have any hopes of continuing our journey in the game then we won’t even be able to check out the updated game until much later than people who never even bothered with the game
poodude
February 12, 2014 at 3:56 am PST

Yay, open beta! I really wanted to try out FFXIV when it came out on PS3, but I figured it’d be better to wait for the PS4 version. Can’t wait to see how it plays!
Ludafactor
February 12, 2014 at 4:07 am PST

@10 Glad to see some new faces when it comes to FFXIV ARR. You will love the experience. It was great for me when I first got it. And I still play it till this day.
Cruel-Cynic
February 12, 2014 at 4:54 am PST

I have been waiting for the Beta before deciding to buy or not. I hope it runs well. I am looking forward to trying it out.
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:19 pm PST
  
  We look forward to seeing you in Eorzea!
nathanuc1988
February 12, 2014 at 4:59 am PST

0:34 – are you the BLM lalafell?

I’m sooooooooo excited for this. 2.2 is going to be awesome. Bring on the Tomestones of YoshiP!
G-Force08
February 12, 2014 at 5:28 am PST

@9 BahumatIsBack –

You seem to be missing the whole point of a beta. It’s not just to play the game. It’s a test to make sure that certain aspects of the game are working properly, and on a larger scale than internal devs can produce.

Think of it like being a game tester in a development studio, but for free. How many times do you think those guys have to play the game in its many stages? Then if they want to play it on their own personal account, they have to wait until the full retail release like everyone else.

This is why I’m not too fond of open betas. Too many people don’t understand the purpose.

That said, I’m excited to play the PS4 version (with keyboard and mouse!). I already have the PS3 version, but why in the world would I keep playing there when the PS4 version is superior?! Awesome work SE!
Cotrip
February 12, 2014 at 5:59 am PST

I’m curious about the frame rate. The PS3 version runs at a horrible frame rate, constantly below 25fps. Hope to see a solid 30fps this time.
Tim81DE
February 12, 2014 at 6:38 am PST

YES! Not to knock on other teams, but the FF13 series hasn’t given me a good Final Fantasy fix. This was a blessing, and I’m happy to see continued support and upgrades!

Anyway we can get a peek at the blu-ray soundtrack coming out later this year?!
TomatoDragon
February 12, 2014 at 7:02 am PST

Held out on buying this until the ps4 was released. Cant wait to dive into it.
Soilwork
February 12, 2014 at 7:33 am PST

So if i purchased a disc version of FF 14 for PS3, i will have to buy a digital or disc version of FF 14 for PS4?
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:22 pm PST
  
  As long as you are okay with only playing the PS4 version going forward, you can simply upgrade your copy from the PS3 to PS4. If you wish to play on both the PS3 and PS4, then you will need to purchase a separate copy.
reson8er
February 12, 2014 at 7:52 am PST

I LOVE XIV, Yoshi P, and the staff at SE for delivering what is a wonderful game. I will happily play this on my lovely PS4 as soon as its available. Long Live FFXIV

PS, Please do a FFXII -related FATE, that would be awesome.

Love, reson8er
FifthDream
February 12, 2014 at 7:56 am PST

So as long as i buy a copy for PS4, i’ll be able to play my existing character on both PC and PS4 and switch back and forth at will?
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:23 pm PST
  
  That’s correct! You won’t be able to log into both at the SAME TIME, but yes, you can play on one or the other whenever you like as long as you register the PS4 version to your existing PC account. :)
AizawaYuuichi
February 12, 2014 at 8:18 am PST

@ Soilwork: Pretty sure that since the game installed from your disc and you don’t need it after that, you’ll be getting the digital version somehow. They already announced you’ll get upgraded for free, they just haven’t said exactly how that’ll work. It could be that the software download will be free, and when you go to launch it, it’ll ask to link to a CD key or active account or something. But I’m sure there’ll be more info as the actual game launch in April gets closer.
Short answer, no, you won’t have to buy the digital or disc version for PS4.
D-Squad3
February 12, 2014 at 8:24 am PST

Comes out on my birthday! Is the beta open to everyone?
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:24 pm PST
  
  Yup! It will be available on the PlayStation Store without the need to sign up or be selected! Happy pre-birthday!
AizawaYuuichi
February 12, 2014 at 8:29 am PST

@ FifthDream: That seems to be the word around the internet. Because you’re logging into your S-E FFXIV account, it’d work just like logging into any other MMO on any number of PCs that have the game installed. Since the character data is on S-E’s servers, you can access your account from anywhere the game is installed.
Though, it might be better to find a cheap PS3 copy and get the free upgrade rather than paying full price for the PS4 version. Since you presumably bought it once already and are paying a monthly fee on top of that. All that you’d get for buying the PS4 copy new would be an extra free month of game time. But that’s not worth $40.
Voorhees
February 12, 2014 at 8:36 am PST

Any idea how large the beta file will be?
Mon177
February 12, 2014 at 9:01 am PST

where can i get the Beta for PS4? i own the PS3 version and want to transfer my account
Xan-Diesel
February 12, 2014 at 9:07 am PST

Is it true that if you have the Collector’s Edition of the PS3 and you transfer to the PS4 version you’ll get the new, PS4 CE exclusive stuff? Specifically the Wind Up Moogle and Fat Chocobo?
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:25 pm PST
  
  All Collector’s Edition owners will automatically receive the two brand-new items that are being introduced with the PS4 CE via the in-game Mog Letter system!
BahumatIsBack
February 12, 2014 at 10:56 am PST

@G-force – I understand perfectly what a beta is for. This is a beta for the game on a new platform. While I would be more than happy to participate in the beta and help them look for problems, I refuse to do it if I have to start all the way over from the very beginning. I have too much time into the game and I’m sure a lot of people do too. Then when phase 1 is over, I’d have to start over yet again for phase 2. Still during phase 2 I couldn’t use my own character, so I’d have to start over again until the official launch of the game when I’d have to make a choice to continue on with the phase 2 character or my real character.
BahumatIsBack
February 12, 2014 at 10:56 am PST

You may see it as a harmless policy, but it excludes a large portion of the FF fanbase from participating in the beta. We/they are getting punished for nothing more than being FF fans and adopters of the game on other platforms. Personally I’ll have nothing to do with the beta because of this and it will end up affecting my decision to renew my subscription when the game does launch. I doubt I’ll continue on with the game even though I get a free copy for PS4. I can’t picture myself paying for the subscription blind on a new platform without being able to give it a test run. In the end it’s just plain bad policy
BahumatIsBack
February 12, 2014 at 10:58 am PST

It’s a shame too….I was really looking forward to this game on the PS4
JENNY101282
February 12, 2014 at 11:18 am PST

If Square didn’t make you go thru an entire process of “open this email, click this link now open this email and click five links now input a security code you dont even have” then yea I’d play. But I honestly don’t trust their website or their subscription system.
Grayfox2k8
February 12, 2014 at 11:23 am PST

the lalafell with purple hair. Its you isn’t it.
Miksaaja
February 12, 2014 at 11:26 am PST

BahumatisBack : In a phase one you can test what ff 14 will give you in ps4 enviroment as everyone else. After the phase one ends they will delete all the character data and move to phase 2

In pahse 2 Yoyu have right to access to beta with your ps3 characters if you want or make new character.

“PS3 and PC players of FFXIV will be able to transfer character data to the PS4 (please note that this is only necessary for the beta — in the retail version, all players will play on the same servers).”

I don’t get it by how can you come to that conclusion that this beta is not for the “early adopter” :D
Ninjikun
February 12, 2014 at 11:51 am PST

@BahumatlsBack I don’t understand why you hate the beta, SE isn’t forcing you to start over, you do not have to pay for the beta, the beta is free to EVERYONE who has a PS4, regardless if they have a FFXIV account or not. From Feb 22nd to March 3rd, yes you will have to start from level 1, but do you understand you can still play your own character on your own account from your PS3/PC during this time? They aren’t getting rid of your character and if you are saying SE is in the wrong for having you not be able to play on your own server during the first beta phase, then I don’t believe you understand how beta tests work. It would be reckless of SE for the first phase of the beta to happen on live servers, they don’t know how things will go, thus the test in a safe way.
Ninjikun
February 12, 2014 at 11:52 am PST

From April 4th to the 7th you can play on your character and on your server, from April 11th you can play on your character and on your server(but only if you have the PS3 version and transferred the PS3 version to PS4 version, if you do not want to transfer or if you do not own a PS3 version to transfer, you will have to wait until the release on April 14th). SE is not excluding anyone, in fact they are including everyone who wants to try it out on the PS4. No one is getting punished, so please explain why you believe SE is excluding people o.O Also, they are not excluding early adopters at all. I bought FFXIV 1.0 and I didn’t have to buy 2.0, I got 2.0 for free(but I did have to pay for 2.0 to play on the PS3 which was reasonable), and if you are an early adopter of the CE (version 1.0, or version 2.0 from PC or PS3) you get the collectors edition rewards for free on the PS4(if you transfer to it from the PS3 or if you just buy the regular edition for PS4). They are not screwing anyone over, so please do not spread such negative comments when you don’t understand what is going on.
Ninjikun
February 12, 2014 at 12:00 pm PST

Also, participating in the beta is a privilege, not an entitlement. So you cannot get upset over something that isn’t handed to you during that time, you should feel honored to have the ability to participate in the beta if you want to. It is not SE’s job to cater to you over something you do not own, since during the beta you do not own the game, the game is not yours, you are not paying for a licence to play the beta. If it was full retail version and you could not play your character, then I could understand your issue, since you would be paying for the licence to play the game, which would come with certain expectations. Yoshida and the team have been more than understanding, lenient, and open with the players, trying to understand our concerns and do their best to make things happen. So if a free beta of the game that you do not have to pay for to play on and is open to where you don’t have to rely on luck to be selected to participate is stopping you from getting it on the PS4, then you need to realign your priorities.
BahumatIsBack
February 12, 2014 at 12:05 pm PST

I understand clearly what’s going on. We won’t be able to try the beta on the new platform without starting over. That means a new square account, a new bogus email account for the new square account, plus the horrible sign up system that takes multiple attempts to even register, etc. And then when all is said and done we’d have to choose between a beta character and our real character to continue on after the game does launch while who just started with the beta can continue on with their character without any hassle. Like I said, I can’t picture myself paying to renew my subscription without even seeing how it runs on the PS4. The current setup that completely ignores existing players doesn’t allow for me to try it on the PS4. I don’t want multiple characters. I don’t want multiple sign ups. I don’t want multiple fake emails. I don’t want to start over repeatedly. This policy does in fact exclude me from trying it out on the new platform
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:30 pm PST
  
  You won’t need to create a new SE account or anything to try out phase 1 of the Beta Test if you already have one. You can use your existing account, you just won’t be able to import your characters during phase 1.
  
  In phase 2, you will be able to use your existing account and play with your existing characters. Anything you do in phase 2 of the Beta will carry over to the release. Are you already a level 12 gladiator? If you play beta phase 2, you can keep playing your existing character, earning levels. Finish during the beta at level 15? Then you’ll still be level 15 when the PS4 version goes live!
  
  Let me know if I can help clear anything else up!
BahumatIsBack
February 12, 2014 at 12:06 pm PST

This isn’t a hard concept to grasp so please don’t say I’m spreading negative comments when I don’t know what’s going on. This isn’t my first day gaming. I’m a paying customer to Sony and to Square so if I feel something is wrong, then I’m gonna express that. Don’t like it? Don’t read my posts. It is so annoying to come to this blog with a legitimate complaint/concern and just because it doesn’t affect another person, they try to dismiss the complaint or make it seem not important.
darkgemineye
February 12, 2014 at 12:26 pm PST

@BahumatIsBack I understand what you mean but what everyone else is trying to tell you is you got it all wrong. I wont get into a long discussion about it but once you transfer all of your data you wont be forced to start over.
Huituii
February 12, 2014 at 12:36 pm PST

@ BahumatIsBack

Funny story for you, FFXIV:ARR Beta had character wipes 3 times. We only got to keep our characters from phase 4, unless you were a Legacy member. I started a new character four times in this game because of the wipes between phases. Why the big deal about having to choose between the beta character from phase 2, and your current character? Try the beta with a new and temporary character, if you like how the game runs, then continue on with your current PS3/PC character once beta ends. I am not understanding how this is a hard choice. Keep a character you have been playing for possibly 8+ months, or a character you have played for 4 days? Beta is for testing, not playing. Why should you be able to take your current retail character in to beta, and then keep it? Them letting us keep a character from beta to retail is a generous act in reality. It’s definitely not the norm.

I don’t like the fact we can’t play on our PS3 if we do the transfer, because I might want to do some Remote Play on Don’t Starve while I craft or gather in FFXIV:ARR. Can’t do that obviously with this scenario.
Ninjikun
February 12, 2014 at 12:44 pm PST

@35 You wont need a new email or new account, you can use your same account just like during the beta of 2.0. So no, you wont have to make a new email to sign up. If you have not played the game, then yes, you will need to make an account, but for people who have already an account, no need to do it again. And you CAN see how it runs on the PS4, I dunno why you think you wont be able to. The only way you wont be able to see how it runs on the PS4 is if you do not have a PS4. How does the setup ignore existing players and how exactly does it not allow you to try it on the PS4? If you can explain to me how SE is stopping you from being allowed to participate in the beta, I will agree with your underlying argument, but the thing is…they aren’t, at all. Saying “hey, start from level 1 to test some stuff out for us” and you snobbishly turn your nose and say “no” it isn’t SE stopping you from being allowed to try the PS4 beta, it is you stopping yourself. This isn’t a legitimate concern, this is a personal concern. The beta is free, you are not paying for beta, it is a privilege to participate in the beta, not an entitlement.
Disacode
February 12, 2014 at 1:43 pm PST

Excited about this, gonna download it tonight.
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:31 pm PST
  
  I hope you mean on February 22nd! ;)
Virtute1979
February 12, 2014 at 2:17 pm PST

So anyone with a PS4 can get in on the beta? That sounds good to me! I’m so-so on MMO type games but I want to try this out, especially if it looks as good as the trailers make it look.
- Matt Hilton
  February 12, 2014 at 4:31 pm PST
  
  Yep! It will be freely available in the PlayStation Store without the need to sign up or be selected to participate!
Treequil
February 12, 2014 at 2:29 pm PST

This fully releases literally the day after my birthday, what an awesome present, thanks SE! :D
I mean, it looks amazing on the PS3, can’t wait to see it running on my PS4. :3
(Will be porting my PS3 data over without any second thoughts.)
classyunicorn
February 12, 2014 at 4:49 pm PST

Will the PS4 share a trophy list with the ps3 version or will upgrading cause you to have two FFXIV lists linked to your account?
HTVfanatic
February 12, 2014 at 4:52 pm PST

Will we get another free month of game time once the PS4 version launches? If we transfer our PS3 character over that is..
NiceRival-
February 12, 2014 at 4:56 pm PST

I was in the PC beta and bought the game back in June of last year.

However on August 30th/31st I was banned with many other innocent players due to hackers obtaining our log in information we used for LOL by Riot Games who were hacked prior to the launching of the beta for FFXIV:ARR who then used our in game characters to carry out illegal power leveling, gil boosting, etc for real money.

Since then I’ve been in “investigation” to be unbanned for the past 6 months despite the repeated escalations of my ticket and my contributing of information about the identity of the hacker as they attempted to hack another MMO I play and I obtained the IP address caught by the game’s security and submitted it to the Call Center agent.

It’s frustrating that I can’t play this game as I was willing to not only play on PC but PS4 as well, I even asked the agent if I could repurchase it again and they couldn’t answer me.

Can someone help me from your Customer Service team find a solution to my issue? I’ll be reposting this in a future blog post as I realize I’m commenting very late.
JayJayDragneel
February 12, 2014 at 5:07 pm PST

Final Fantasy ima play it~ http://smileyswelove.com/131/ ~
mike4fantasy08
February 12, 2014 at 6:48 pm PST

I’m curious about this,

I already own Collection Edition for PC and Regular Standard for PS3, so I can play both. Since It coming to PS4 coming day for beta, I am exciting to transfer this PS3 to PS4 this summer.

Do I eligibility to have Fat Chocobo Mount and Moggle Minion ? I went to Mog Station shown that I am Legacy Player and Collection Edition icon together that meant I still get it those 2 bonus ?

Let me know!

Kupo
Goodspeed313
February 12, 2014 at 6:52 pm PST

So what I’m reading here is that if I purchased a disc copy of FFXIV: AAR on the PS3 then I have to pay for the game AGAIN to play it on the PS4 upon release?

If thats correct, thats a bunch of BS since originally they said if you bought the PS3 version you could transfer to the PS4 for free. I would never have bought the PS3 version if I knew this before hand. I even bought the PC version so that I could play on my PC or my PS3 with the same account. I’m not going to pay for a 3rd copy of this game, its good, but not THAT good.
HTVfanatic
February 12, 2014 at 7:06 pm PST

@47- You get the game for free on PS4. As long as you have logged on to your PS3 account you should be good to go.