Final Fantasy XIV suspends accounts Thursday
MMO returns to subscription model January 6.
Final Fantasy XIV Online is changing its business model back to a subscription model on January 6 and will be suspending all non-subscribing accounts on January 5.
This shift comes after a year of temporary free-to-play status following an unsuccessful launch.
No users will be charged without first re-subscribing to the game, which will be available for a discount rate of $9.99 per month prior to the upcoming major patch Final Fantasy XIV 2.0. After the patch is made available the subscription cost will return to its standard $12.99 monthly rate.
Version 2.0 is set to release this year.
VideoGamer.com Analysis
It will be interesting to see whether this move will be a success for the game or not. In a marketplace where most faltering MMOs are happy to embrace a free-to-play model (hell, look at what it did for DC Universe Online) it's strange to see an MMO go the opposite route. Many users were burned by their first experience in the game, and it's somehow unlikely that the Final Fantasy brand alone will bring them back in droves.
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