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Is FFXIV Doing Free Trials Again? Yes, and Here‘s Why That Matters

The short answer is – yes! Final Fantasy XIV is bringing back its famous free trial on February 22, 2022 after a brief pause. For newbies or returning players, this is hugely exciting news that opens up the chance to experience one of the top MMORPGs on the market risk-free again.

But what does the return of the FFXIV free trial really mean for people like you and me? And why should we care? Grab some coffee my friend, and let‘s dive into the details.

So What‘s All the Hype About with FFXIV Anyway?

In case you‘ve been living under a rock, Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV for short) has exploded in popularity recently.

The game hit a record peak of 47,542 concurrent players on Steam in December 2021, according to SteamDB. That‘s a huge jump from less than 10,000 players on Steam back in 2019!

FFXIV‘s concurrent players on Steam over time, via SteamDB

And it‘s not just about Steam numbers. Square Enix revealed FFXIV has surpassed 24 million total players as of August 2021. For context, that‘s up from only 1 million in its first two years after launch. Talk about growth!

So what‘s driving this momentum? Chalk it up to a few key factors:

  • Rave reviews and fan hype for the new Endwalker expansion
  • Increased visibility through streaming and content creation
  • WoW refugees looking for a new MMORPG home

Critically acclaimed expansions, the slow and steady spread of word-of-mouth, and rivals stumbling have all converged to put FFXIV in the spotlight.

Which brings us back to the topic at hand – the return of the FFXIV free trial. This is big news for anyone who‘s curious about the game but hasn‘t taken the plunge yet.

A Quick History Lesson on the FFXIV Free Trial

Let‘s rewind a bit to understand the context around free trials in FFXIV. Here‘s a quick timeline:

  • July 2013 – FFXIV introduces a 14-day free trial following its relaunch as A Realm Reborn.

  • March 2016 – Free trial expanded to unlimited time, level cap raised to 35.

  • June 2017 – Level cap increased to 50.

  • May 2019 – Level cap increased again to 60, now includes the Heavensward expansion.

  • December 2021 – Free trial temporarily suspended due to congestion from a flood of new players.

  • February 2022 – Free trial returns from hiatus after server upgrades to handle demand.

As you can see, Square Enix has consistently tried to push the generosity of the free trial further and further over the years.

The only hiccup was late last year, when a tidal wave of interest completely overwhelmed the game‘s servers. Free trials were paused temporarily while the infrastructure got reinforced.

Now with upgrades in place, the floodgates are ready to open once more on February 22nd. Huzzah!

Why FFXIV‘s Free Trial Stands Out

So what makes the FFXIV free trial so special? Why do people gush about it online?

Well for starters, it‘s arguably the most generous free trial in the MMORPG genre right now. Just look at what it offers:

  • All content up to level 60 – Hundreds of hours of gameplay to enjoy
  • No time limits – Take as long as you want
  • Heavensward expansion included – Critically acclaimed content, an $18 value
  • All classes and jobs – Change your class anytime after level 10
  • Full social experience – Party finder, guilds, chat included

The value is frankly absurd compared to limited time trials other MMOs offer. Players have sunk hundreds of hours into the FFXIV trial without paying a cent.

Just check out the table below to see how the FFXIV trial stacks up against the competition:

GameMax LevelTime LimitExpansions
FFXIV60None1st expansion
World of Warcraft2020 hoursNone
ESO20NoneBase game only
GW280NoneCore experience

No wonder the FFXIV free trial has developed a reputation as the golden standard – it‘s just that much more generous.

What Should You Actually Do in the Free Trial?

Alright, let‘s get practical. Say you‘re a new player about to dive into the FFXIV free trial on February 22nd. What should you actually do?

Here are my top 5 tips for making the most of it:

1. Follow the main story quests. The epic storyline is the heart of FFXIV. Let it guide you through the world naturally.

2. Try out multiple classes. An awesome part of FFXIV is that you can play all classes on one character! Experiment to find one you vibe with.

3. Join a Free Company. These are FFXIV‘s equivalent of guilds. Great way to make friends!

4. Unlock mounts, glamour, and other systems. Experience core FF flavor like chocobos, job gear, and fun side activities.

5. Take your time! There‘s no rush, so soak in the charming world and don‘t burn out.

The key is to sample a wide range of what makes FFXIV special while letting the story and your class journey anchor you.

If you follow those guidelines, I‘m confident you‘ll come away with a fantastic impression of Eorzea and why so many folks are fanatical about FFXIV!

What Happens When the Free Trial Ends?

Eventually, after who knows how many hours, you may find yourself at the end of the free trial road at level 60. Not to worry! You have options if you want to continue your FFXIV journey:

  • Buy the Starter Edition or Complete Edition to unlock levels 60-90 and all expansions. Requires a paid subscription to advance further.

  • Subscribe to play past 60 while buying expansions piecemeal. A subscription starts at $12.99 per month.

  • Take a break before resubscribing to play more. Your character will be waiting faithfully for your return!

The choice is yours. But after playing through 60+ levels and Heavensward on the generous free trial, I hope you‘ll be hooked and ready to see the full FFXIV experience.

Your chocobo won‘t run off without you, so take your time deciding when the moment is right.

Wrapping Up: Is the Return of FFXIV‘s Free Trial a Big Deal?

Phew, that was a lot of information! Let‘s drive home the key points:

  • The renowned FFXIV free trial is coming back on February 22, 2022 after upgrades to handle demand.

  • The trial offers hundreds to content without limits, making it extremely generous.

  • It‘s a risk-free way to experience one of the top MMORPGs on the market right now.

So, is the return of the FFXIV free trial worth getting hyped about? Absolutely.

For newbies considering FFXIV, it‘s the ultimate gateway drug – a way to experience the magic with no strings attached.

And for lapsed players like you and me, it‘s a homecoming – a chance to reconnect with old friends in Eorzea at our own pace.

Wherever you are on your FFXIV journey, the revived free trial is something to celebrate. Here‘s to adventure on the horizon my friend, and I‘ll see you in Eorzea!

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Michael

Michael Reddy is a tech enthusiast, entertainment buff, and avid traveler who loves exploring Linux and sharing unique insights with readers.