Square Enix will end the month-long grace period for Final Fantasy XIV on the Nintendo Switch 2 next week, reinstating the requirement for a subscription to play the popular MMORPG. The free play period, which began at the game's launch on the console, will conclude on Monday, September 7, at 11:59 p.m. local time.
Players typically only need one subscription to play Final Fantasy XIV across multiple platforms. However, playing on the Switch 2 necessitates a second subscription. To ease the transition, Square Enix has stated that the Switch 2 version will not require a separate Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Furthermore, existing Final Fantasy XIV subscribers will receive a 50% discount on their Switch 2 subscription.
Acquiring a subscription on the Switch 2 involves a unique process. Instead of direct subscription purchases, players must buy FFXIV Coins from the Nintendo eShop. These coins are then used on the Final Fantasy XIV Mog Station to manage subscription fees. FFXIV Coins can also be utilized to purchase optional items from the in-game store. While automatic subscription renewals can be set up, they will only activate if sufficient FFXIV Coins are present in the player's account.
Purchasing and registering either the Starter or Complete Edition of Final Fantasy XIV grants players 30 days of free playtime. After this initial period, a subscription becomes necessary. An exception exists for new players: those who have never purchased any version of Final Fantasy XIV can continue to play the game's free trial indefinitely without a subscription. Despite the layered subscription system, Final Fantasy XIV reportedly runs smoothly on the Switch 2, with some finding it to be an optimal platform for the MMORPG.