Final Fantasy XIV had a rocky start, but since relaunching as A Realm Reborn, it has garnered an ever growing subscription base and a ton of positive reviews. Most recently, Square Enix released an expansion for the MMO and you can read my mostly glowing praise for it over here. So, how many people are actually playing?
Square Enix has announced that the Final Fantasy MMO now exceeds 5 million registered accounts globally, which excludes those playing the free trial. I certainly found each world to be really full when I played; in fact, I often got notifications that I couldn’t play because the world was full to capacity when I would log in (only to click again and be allowed access). That is definitely quite an impressive number, especially since that’s one million more accounts than were reported back in February. Considering WoW’s declining subscriber case is now sitting at 5.6 million subscribers, those numbers are rapidly converging – could we see Final Fantasy XIV actually overtake the MMO powerhouse?
Of course, there is an important distinction to make. WoW subscriber numbers are the people who are still throwing money at Blizzard every month for the privilege of playing the game. While FFXIV also requires a subscription, I don’t believe that’s the number they’re talking about with the 5 million count; I believe “registered account” includes people like me who have played and have had active subscriptions but might not still be paying to play the game.
Final Fantasy XIV also has it right by working on a variety of platforms. There aren’t many MMOs that can be played on console; just as Neverwinter on Xbox One was a smart move, FFXIV on PS4 and PS3 (plus allowing cross play with PC) is a stroke of genius. Now we just wait and see if the numbers continue to trend in these directions.
Last Updated: August 24, 2015
VampyreSquirrel
August 24, 2015 at 13:45
I think I’ve played too many MMO’s over recent years, so none of them will see me any time soon.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 24, 2015 at 13:47
Subscription MMO’s are like gym memberships – either you use them a lot or you’re wasting your money.
VampyreSquirrel
August 24, 2015 at 13:49
Nah, either way you’re wasting your money 😛
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 13:54
Yeah, rather gym at home
http://media.giphy.com/media/Cc3tU3VkTEBVK/giphy.gif
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 24, 2015 at 13:57
Can’t – #foreverSP 😀
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 13:59
Pick up Rince. He’s about an inch taller than that FF cosplay chick. Can’t be that heavy.
RinceThis
August 24, 2015 at 14:00
Your face is heavy!
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 14:01
It’s the beard
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 24, 2015 at 14:04
I’d need a barge pole first. :/
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 14:04
XD
RinceThis
August 24, 2015 at 14:05
Your face is a barge pole!
Dutch Matrix
August 24, 2015 at 14:06
Your face just barged into a pole!
VampyreSquirrel
August 24, 2015 at 13:58
Thanks for finding the SFW version.
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 14:00
Later on they put a cup on his chest.
*RUNS!
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 24, 2015 at 14:02
bwhahahahahahahahha
Ottokie
August 24, 2015 at 13:54
Yup, subscription based games make you feel obligated to play. And that’s the part I hate.
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 13:56
I’ve said it many times. At least 4 times. Sell gaming hours not months. If you play you pay.
Ottokie
August 24, 2015 at 13:57
That is the better option for the players but not for the company.
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 13:58
Yeah, fuck the customers. How dare they seek value for money.
VampyreSquirrel
August 24, 2015 at 13:58
That’s the only way sub based MMO’s will get me to play.
Blizz got too much of my money already.
RinceThis
August 24, 2015 at 13:57
Do you even lift bro?
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 24, 2015 at 13:59
Depends who’s watching. O_o
RinceThis
August 24, 2015 at 14:00
Umm…
Dutch Matrix
August 24, 2015 at 14:00
I am always watching… 🙂
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 14:02
Sewende Laan?
Dutch Matrix
August 24, 2015 at 14:03
No SABC Or DSTV for me my friend…
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 14:04
Good choice.
Dutch Matrix
August 24, 2015 at 14:04
Thought it was multi choice
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 14:06
More like, I’ll make my own choice.
Dutch Matrix
August 24, 2015 at 13:55
Ek wil net met my Final Fantasy speel!
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 13:56
Starting to see a pattern here.
DiegoZicoB
August 24, 2015 at 13:57
I really want to try this because it’s Final Fantasy and I’ve only heard good things about the relaunched version. But the time that needs to be invested into a MMO is daunting to me. That, and paying a monthly amount to play when the game and expansion is already well over R1000.
*waits for someone to tell me how amazing the game is and convinces me to take the leap*
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 14:02
Don’t play it alone like I did. If you have friends that will invest along with you I’d say take the leap. Granted you’re into this kind of game.
DiegoZicoB
August 24, 2015 at 14:09
Yea I’m pretty much the only hardcore gamer I know that would be able to play this game. But you can just join up with other players from around the world?
I’ve never played an MMO but if I was to ever get into one this would be it.
Hammersteyn
August 24, 2015 at 14:18
Not sure. I played it for two months and got bored because no one else played it. Now it’s all about Destiny and Rocket League. There may be online groups looking for players. I know there is for Destiny.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 24, 2015 at 15:24
Do research and try and find a South African guild. Join their forums and TS and you are golden.
Try these guys
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/237836-SOUTH-AFRICAN-EU-GRIM-WOLVES-Recruiting
DiegoZicoB
August 24, 2015 at 20:28
Thank you for this!
dirtymoney
August 24, 2015 at 20:58
This is REGISTERED accounts, not subs. Of course a site called the Lazy Gamer can’t fucking be bothered to read the sources they publish their “news” from.
RinceThis
August 25, 2015 at 08:06
“Square Enix has announced that the Final Fantasy MMO now exceeds 5 million registered accounts globally”. What part of that isn’t clear? Perhaps you are just too lazy to read the article correctly?
Hammersteyn
August 25, 2015 at 15:26
http://i.memeful.com/media/post/BdeLXXR_700wa_0.gif