Critically acclaimed MMORPGFinal Fantasy 14(which has a free trial!) is launching an open beta for Xbox users on February 21 ahead of its long-awaited launch. But there’s a caveat if you want to play the full thing, you need at least Game Pass Core.
As reported byVGC, Square Enix explained as much in a disclaimer ahead of release. “The free trial version, including the open beta test, will not require an Xbox Game Pass (Core or Ultimate) plan to play. However, the full Xbox Series X/S version will require an Xbox Game Pass (Core or Ultimate) plan to play.”
Interestingly, you don’t need a PS Plus subscription to play Final Fantasy 14 on PlayStation.
Game Pass Core,formerly Xbox Live Gold, is $9.99 per month. You get a limited slice of the wider Game Pass library and access to online play. However, to play FF14 beyond the trial period, you must also pay a subscription to Square Enix. The entry tier is $12.99 per month, so to play FF14 on Xbox, you have to pay a minimum of $22.98 per month.
As for the Final Fantasy 14 open beta, it’s taking place later this month on February 21, starting at 3am ET / 8am GMT. You cannot take part if you have an existing account, as it’s intended solely for newcomers.
“The open beta test will only be available to new players who will be playing Final Fantasy 14 for the first time,” Square Enix wrote. “Take this opportunity to invite your Xbox-owning friends who have never experienced the ever-expanding world of Final Fantasy 14 and adventure together.”
We ask any players, who wish to play Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox with an existing Square Enix account and its associated characters, to please wait until the full Xbox launch after the open beta test concludes.
FF14 isn’t the only Square Enix game finally coming to Xbox. Visions of Mana is also launching on Series X/S, and there are reports thatFinal Fantasy 7 Remake is coming to Microsoft’s platform. This is after Xbox head Phil Spencer took a trip to Tokyo last August to discuss future collaborations with SE, but there are still reveals yet to be announced as Spencer teased that “You’ll hear more”.
Square Enix plans to release FF14 after the open beta, though the exact date “will be determined after thorough reviews”.
