Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Swells to More Than 1.5 Million Users

[BlameTheWizards]

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Swells to More Than 1.5 Million Users

Several Phoenix Downs later, the formerly panned MMO is being embraced by players.


Square Enix put a hefty amount of resources into relaunching its beleaguered MMO as Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Other companies might have just cut their losses and left the game to wither and die, but the Final Fantasy name wasn't one they were willing to walk away from.

All that effort seems to have paid off, though, as recent reports indicate that A Realm Reborn has more than 1.5 million registered users worldwide since its August launch. While it's not clear how many of those registered are actively playing the game, with subscription fees ranging between $13 and $15 a month based on payment plans it probably still comes out to a considerable windfall for the company.

All things considered, it's a mighty impressive launch for any game, especially considering that Final Fantasy XIV was almost universally criticized at launch. Heck, back in September, even the game's director was surprised at <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/127378-Final-Fantasy-14-Team-Didnt-Expect-So-Many-Players-PAX-2013> the number of players who were eager to jump into the game.


Source: Siliconera via <a href=http://www.polygon.com/2013/10/26/5031236/final-fantasy-14-a-realm-reborn-reaches-more-than-1-5-million>Polygon

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[Irridium]

I'm just really glad this game came back good and that people are playing. If it's still going strong in a month or two, I'll probably pick it up and check it out.

 

[ShirowShirow]

Hey look admitting a mistake can actually do you some good.

 

[Ldude893]

It's kind of inspiring how one of the worst MMOs to ever be released can get reborn into an MMO nearly on par with World of Warcraft.

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

Assuming that it's still going strong in a few months I'm so there.

I have no idea why, but it just looks like a lot of fun.

I'm glad that they came back and actually fixed a lot of the problems that they had to make it a better game. Not something you see all the time.

 

[SonofaJohannes]

Well isn't that nice to hear. I'd increase that number by one but it's my policy to only pay for something once. Still, it's nice to see the game doing well now that they've fixed the problems.

 

[Sheo_Dagana]

This game is a vast improvement over it's original incarnation and is currently my favorite MMORPG. It's a pretty excellent game. But let us not forget just how unprepared they were for how popular it would become at launch...

Error 1017...

Never Forget...

 

[Saltyk]

I'm thinking I'll pick this up when I get my PS4 in a few weeks. I've been hearing good things, and I do love Final Fantasy more than I should. Honestly, I played FFXI and loved it for a long time. The only major problem there was the game was very unfriendly to solo play and Gil selling had pretty much fucked the economy.

Final Fantasy, why can't I quit you?

 

[Clive Howlitzer]

Which just goes to show you how poor everyone's taste is!

 

[JediMB]

I'd increase that number by one but it's my policy to only pay for something once.

Good luck getting an insurance, or any other type of ongoing service, I guess?

 

[Pots]

Well isn't that nice to hear. I'd increase that number by one but it's my policy to only pay for something once. Still, it's nice to see the game doing well now that they've fixed the problems.

If you bought the original release, you get ARR for free.

I'm loving this game and just got to Titan HM!

 

[Miyenne]

Our Free Company (guild) of many Escapist members is having a great time together. We're really enjoying the game.

 

[Arawn]

I bought the game when it first releases. Compared to FFXI I wasn't impressed with FFXIV. It was better looking by far, but lacked something. So when the game shut down there was little surprise. But they treated it like a beta and worked hard. The new incarnation is by far much better. It's fun and interesting to play and has the charm that is Final Fantasy.

 

[Someone Depressing]

The thing I hate about this game is the fact that it feels more likE Wow than Final Fantasy. With minor examples, FF has always been a D&D-inspired turn-based but sometimes not franchise with a wide array of places to explore. Not... WoW. I hope they improve on it, though. Just as long as Spell Drawing never as much as makes brief eye contact with the game.

 

[Nilanius]

It's kind of inspiring how one of the worst MMOs to ever be released can get reborn into an MMO nearly on par with World of Warcraft.

Nearly? World of Warcraft is a sick lame dog that is now hoping to be a rescue. But it has progressed too badly to be saved. And that solely is on Activision for the state that game ended up in. FFXIV though got took over by a fantastic developer and I firmly believe with the commercialization and popularity ARR has produced, it will replace WoW as a top dog in the yard. They've got a lot going for them.

 

[CJ1145]

I'll give them credit, they went back and fixed a broken game, creating a solid new product that people would actually enjoy.

Of course, I'd have to take it right back because they still allowed it to be released in that shitty state in the first place and assumed that the FF name alone would carry it, which was inexcusable.

Even so, we can't exactly afford to give them the boot. I'd rather support a company that makes mistakes and learns from them for the better than a company that normally makes good stuff, but refuses to improve what it does wrong until its entire brand name is dragged through the mud.

 

[TakeyB0y2]

Our Free Company (guild) of many Escapist members is having a great time together. We're really enjoying the game.

Ooo can I join? What server is this on?

 

[NortherWolf]

Hey, nice! Now I am more determined than ever to buy the game and get started.