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The official launch of Final Fantasy XIV on the Xbox platform is finally happening. Early morning on March 6, the official Final Fantasy XIV account on X announced that the long wait for Xbox players is coming to a close. The immensely popular MMORPG will fully launch on Xbox Series X|S consoles at the end of this month.
Xbox players will be able to jump in on March 21 and begin their journey in what is arguably one of the best RPG narratives available today. As an MMO with numerous expansions, Final Fantasy XIV has a wealth of story content to play through. And the main story quests (or the campaign if you will) are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of content. Those who choose to go beyond the Warrior of Light’s story can dive into any number of side stories. Plus there’s an entire crafting system and an economy to sink your teeth into. Not to mention a housing system that lets you decorate your own living space from top to bottom (if you can secure a housing plot in the first place).
The point is there’s a lot to do. And it couldn’t be better timing. Final Fantasy XIV is set to go beyond its decade-spanning light and dark saga later this year. The game’s current expansion, Endwalker, marks the end of what up until now has been the main narrative throughout the entire game. The game’s fifth expansion, Dawntrail, will launch in Summer 2024. So Xbox players have a few months to play and catch up. But you don’t necessarily have to wait until March 21.
The full release of #FFXIV on @Xbox is confirmed to arrive on March 21!
To the new players who have been participating in the open beta, and to our Warriors of Light ready to try the game on a new platform, our realm welcomes you! 💚 pic.twitter.com/f7etiyGHyW
— FINAL FANTASY XIV (@FF_XIV_EN) March 6, 2024
The Xbox launch of Final Fantasy XIV follows the open beta
If you want to play the game right now, you can check it out through the currently live open beta. This will only give you access to the free trial but that’s perfectly ok. Because the free trial includes a ton of content. So much that you might even find it difficult to get through it all before the game officially launches later this month. That is unless you’ve been playing the beta since it went live.
With the open beta and the free trial it includes, you have access to the base game and its first two expansions which are Heavnesward and Storm Blood. You can also take your character up to level 70 and do any of the content that’s included in the base or its first and second expansions. This includes raids, dungeons, and any associated side quests. And even though it’s months away, Dawntrail is creeping up fast. So you might want to get a head start and play as soon as you can.
As Engadget notes, progress from the free trial does carry over to the main game. So anything you do now will be accessible once the full game is available. However, there are some caveats. For example, you’ll be able to claim the Starter Edition of the game if you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This comes with everything the free trial offers, and it lifts the level restrictions. But you will only get one month for free and then you will need to start paying the monthly subscription fee for the game. As it’s not included with your Game Pass Ultimate sub fee. So you might be better off playing the free trial until you get through everything it offers to save yourself some cash.
Just make sure you don’t take too long if you want to start Dawntrail right at launch.