Final Fantasy XIV 2.0 Update Confirmed, Free-to-Play Period Ending Soon

Square Enix has confirmed that it's close to implementing some major changes to its Final Fantasy XIV MMORPG, and that its free-to-play period is ending soon so players are going to have to decide if they want to pay a monthly subscription to enjoy it.

Final Fantasy XIV was eagerly awaited by a variety of the franchise's fans, many of whom enjoyed the previous Final Fantasy XI online title. Sadly, its release on the PC was troubled by many issues and the general consensus was that it was rushed and deployed way too early.

Square Enix admitted this problem and extended the free trial indefinitely, so that players could continue to offer feedback and help the development team fix the online role playing game.

Now, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada has confirmed that his company will soon start charging money and that major changes, including a 2.0 Update, are coming in the next 12 months.

“One year has passed since the game’s release, and despite the disappointment surrounding its launch, we have received a wealth of support from you, the players. In the ten months since the Final Fantasy XIV team’s restructuring, we have put forth the utmost effort into not only improving the game’s existing features, but also creating a concrete plan to outline the game’s new direction,” wrote Wada.

“With this, it is my hope that we will continue to receive your support as we will need to bring the unbilled period to a close between late November and early December 2011, and introduce our subscription-based billing system. I appreciate that this decision will not be popular, but it is a necessary step in building upon the foundation our fans and development team have made together and to realize the full potential of Final Fantasy XIV.”

Square Enix highlights that lots of new content and fine-tuning will be made to the game over the next few months for the PC version, while the suspended PlayStation 3 edition of Final Fantasy XIV will be released between October and December of 2012.

As you remember, the game was set to appear in early 2011 for the console, but the failed PC edition forced the development team to push it back indefinitely.

Will you keep playing Final Fantasy XIV after this transition to the subscription model or are you still unconvinced of Square Enix's improvements to the online title?