Any disadvantages of the Steam version vs Windows? Also, does DawnTrail include Edgewalkers?

[Tau Mantis]

A few years back I got really into FFXIV on the Windows launcher, since then I've completely misplaced my login details which isn't much of a problem since I want to return to the game on a completely fresh character.

My question is: Am I fine to get the Steam version or are there still issues going on with this version?

I saw from some of the top reviews that they mention the game is great but you're best off buying the Windows edition instead. I've scoured the discussion forum and don't really see people moaning about the Steam version, plus the concurrent players easily gets above 20k/day. BTW I much prefer having everything in a single place.

Am I fine to pick up the Steam version?

Also, If I were to just buy the starter edition and play through the base game + 3 expacs, when Dawntrail releases would that purchase include Edgewalkers?

[Giganx]

There aren't any direct issues with the steam version, it's just more complicated to set up because Steam adds layers to everything you try to do. Also, if Steam goes down you can't play, whereas the Windows version only goes down if the FFXIV login or game servers are down.

Steam is more secure, though; someone would have to compromise both your Steam and FFXIV account to steal your FFXIV account. Steam also allows you to pay through steam/paypal if you don't want to give SE your credit card information.

Also, the entire game is cross platform, so people on Steam are also playing with everyone who's playing on Windows, PS5, XBox, etc. You don't have to worry about the number of concurrent players on Steam.

[Sunny]

should be fine, provided you read and follow the directions for account setup

be aware that it locks you into the ecosystem; if you buy on Steam, all expansions will need to be purchased from Steam -- people frequently mention that it goes on sale more on the direct site (and it probably does)

account issues w/ Steam are like 99.9% user error; there do exist problems on the other side, but they're exceedingly rare

As far as starter edition, yup. Most recent expansion includes access to all expansions not included in the starter, so Dawntrail will include Shadowbringers too, in addition to Endwalker.

If you purchase Dawntrail now, you will not get access to Shadowbringers/Endwalker until Dawntrail launches.

[Havok]

So, that steam number is probably accurate, and steam is by far the underutilized platform, but that isnt relevant of the games population. Remember, SQE doesnt disclose exact player numbers, and in the recent expansion recap, they have 30 million registered accounts. Numbers are across Steam, Windows, Ps4, Ps5 and Xbox S/X.

Now, to answer your question, yes you will need a new sqe mogstation account.

Remember this account information if you fudge it, otherwise use your real information with a complex password.

Once you have a registered mogstation account, then what you want to do is pick your platform. For steam, it does work a little differently than the windows version, but its largely because of new registrations lack of reading and ability to use google, for which there are plenty of answers.

You may of course choose to play the free trial first, at which point, you will certainly know that everything is locked in. BEWARE once you register your steam and mogstation account together, it is forever bound. You may only get a 1 time deregistration help from SQE directly. Terminiating the account because you messed up will still leave it forever bound to steam. This was done a few years ago for an extra security measure.

Download the free trial OR purchase the game in full. Pick your poison, but I always recommend the trial first. Then when you first launch the game on steam, it will take you through the account registration process and prompt you with several warnings about what you are doing, read them. please.

I BELIEVE, if you boot the game it will prompt you to register a new mogstation account or do the link for an existing one. In the later, you will link it to an existing one.

I never played the trial on steam, i was gifted the game, so i pretty much went in with a full copy, but i believe, the free trial has a CD key. You can obtain this by going to your library > right click ff14 > manage > cd keys.

Again, my memory on this is pretty fuzzy, so bear with me. Somewhere on your mogstation account or the actual client there is a register with steam. Since steam uses different keys than windows, my memory is that once you register it, it will bind the two together, or if you create a mogstation account through the steam trial client.

I think, in the launcher, there is a "register free trial account" option, which is effectively the same, but also different than a full account. So, somewhere along the way, either in the launcher or mogstation, there is a way to bind the two together. And that will forever bind them, and you will have an XIV trial account. Then, follow these steps to fully upgrade when you decide to purchase: https://support.na.square-enix.com/faqarticle.php?id=5382&la=1&kid=70905

It really isn't difficult to do, but it just takes a little digging around and reading. Let me find some applicable resources for you, if you go this path.

Some links:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comments/i7fqsd/free_trial_via_steam/
^ This one being the big one. "When he first ran the steam trial it should have prompted him to make an account through it. That account would have been a steam account." So i take it this means that you should

https://steamcommunity.com/app/39210/discussions/0/619574421223397818

https://steamcommunity.com/app/39210/discussions/0/535152511373545961

Originally posted by Serene Sphynx:

Also, If I were to just buy the starter edition and play through the base game + 3 expacs, when Dawntrail releases would that purchase include Edgewalkers?

yes, but its pointless. You are locking yourself into a sub. Play the trial and then upgrade to the Dawntrail Complete Edition when it launches. Or don't, you can go this path if you want. Your money, your life.

All in all, is it easier to do a windows account?
Yes

Is it as difficult to do a steam account as people claim?
No

Is the system archaeic and poorly designed?
Yes

Do expansions go on sale at the same time for Steam and Windows?
Not always

Are windows expansions more frequent in sales?
Yes

Are the steps to register steam so outrageous that it is the worse platform to buy on?
Eh, depends on your reading comprehension

Do you get an extra layer of account security by playing on Steam?
Yes

Can you use Steam Wallet to fund your game?
Yes

Fundamentally when will you be unable to play on steam?
The 20 minutes steam is down every tuesday for maitenence. Though if you are logged in pre steam maitenence, you will still keep playing.

This is literally how easy it is. How this gets messed up, I will never know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIGwDFuC0Po

"The part where everyone messes up on, is when it prompts you for a registration code. If you press next it will stop you. All you have to do is close the launcher, reboot via steam, and in the launcher select "I currently possess a square enix account" and login with your newly created credentials, and it will link your Mogstation and Steam account and allow you to play."

Now this appears to be outdated, but once you create your service account, it will require you to bind it, but it should be relatively the same

[Ralf]

Originally posted by Serene Sphynx:

Also, If I were to just buy the starter edition and play through the base game + 3 expacs, when Dawntrail releases would that purchase include Edgewalkers?

Base game contains Realm Reborn, Heavenly Sword and Strombringers. If you buy Dawntrail you get Shadowlands, Edgewalkers and Dawntrail.

[Kitty]

The Steam version is slightly more involved setting up, but offers the best security and gives you more options to pay the subscription such as Steam Payment (can use the payment method loaded on your Steam account using Auto-renew) and Steam Wallet funds (put funds in your wallet somehow then you can use those funds to pay using the Wallet option).
And of course you can buy the game and DLC in your countries currency and the subscription too.

Not to mention on Steam you get points for every transaction and can also buy items from the FFXIV Online store using steam payment options, even the wallet funds!

You just have to be careful setting up the SE account, the region you set must match your Steam account and you'll have to link the account to your steam before you can redeem CD keys etc (done via steam version FFXIV launcher).

[Tykero980]

The only thing you need to keep in mind is if you buy your base game on steam you can only get expansions on steam and if you dont get your base game on steam you can never buy expansions on steam. Everything else is the same between both.

[Inaho]

After registration they both work the same way. Never had any issues since i first played in 2015.

I personally like the Steam version because Steam has more payment methods available in my country compared to the Mogstation (or any other digital store tbh). Also i can save a few bucks in the subscription by selling cards and using the Steam wallet (i rarely craft anyway).

[Tau Mantis]

Thanks everyone for the detailed responses.
With that I've decided to stick with Steam, I'm all set up and ready to go.
I'll slowly play and level up in preparation for July's expac.

[Sunny]

Awesome! Welcome to Eorzea. I hope you have a lot of fun. =)