14 DAY TRIAL // Square Enix is hosting the Free Login Weekend event starting today, offering lapsed Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn players the chance to jump back into the action free of charge.
The event starts today, July 18, and runs through July 21, at 12:00 AM PDT / 7:00 AM GMT, and offers players who haven't logged in in a while to see all the major features added to the game while they were busy doing something else than riding Chocobos.
The recently released Patch 2.3, titled Defenders of Eorzea, made some pretty big changes to Final Fantasy XIV, in the form of new dungeons, side quests, housing options, crafting skills, and much, much more.
Players will be able to gain a deeper insight into the lore of the ever-expanding world through new side stories, as well as to continue their journey in the main scenario, learning more about the dangers that they have to defend Eorzea from.
The introduction of a brand-new three-faction PvP mode, supporting up to 72 players at the same time, marks the advent of a fresh competitive multiplayer experience.
Some popular in-game dungeons got an additional challenge tier, in the form of the new Hard Mode for the Tam-Tara Deepcroft and Stone vigil encounters, and others offer new challenges, such as the stunning outdoor dungeon Hullbreaker Isle.
Chocobo enthusiasts will be pleased to know that Patch 2.3 now allows them to raise and train their own Chocobo, making it the best there ever was.
If you're interested in seeing the complete list of changes, you can give the patch notes on the Lodestone a read.
In addition to already being in possession of an inactive account, you will of course need to download the software client in order to play the game, and if you want to keep playing beyond the free weekend events, you'll have to sign up for a subscription.
In order to determine your account status, and thus whether or not you qualify for the free weekend, visit the Final Fantasy XIV Mog Station.
In addition to this, Square Enix has opened the sale of tickets for the first ever European Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival, taking place on October 25, 2014, at London's Tobacco Dock. Similar festivities will also take place, in Tokyo and Las Vegas, on different dates.
The festival will celebrate Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and its over two million registered players, offering fans the chance to meet the game's developers and to take part in various in-game events and enjoy live entertainment and grab some nice, event-exclusive loot.