Final Fantasy XIV Requires Two Subscriptions to Play on Xbox

It looks like players hoping to jump into the world of Final Fantasy XIV on their Xbox console of choice may need to pony up for multiple subscriptions. According to the official FAQ that went live earlier today, you’ll eventually need to pay for an Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription if you’re hoping to continue playing.

In the FAQ for the upcoming beta test of Final Fantasy XIV, the following message can be seen:

The Free Trial version, including the open beta test, will not require an Xbox Game Pass (Core or Ultimate) plan to play. However, the full Xbox Series X|S version will require an Xbox Game Pass (Core or Ultimate) plan to play

Final Fantasy XIV Xbox Series X|S FAQ

This means that players who are hoping to play this critically acclaimed MMORPG that also includes a free trial up to level 70 that includes the Heavensward expansion is going to require at least an Xbox Game Pass Core membership if players are hoping to enjoy the world of Eorzea. Pair that with the cost of a monthly subscription, and you’ll be paying more than double what players on PlayStation and PC are paying per month.

While other games like Fortnite do not require an Xbox Game Pass Core membership to enjoy online play, it’s confusing to see why Final Fantasy XIV would require one. Phantasy Star Online 2 originally required an Xbox Live Gold account to play, so we can only hope that this particular portion of the game is revamped before its official release.

Beta testing for Final Fantasy XIV on Xbox consoles will begin on February 21, 2024 at 12:00am PST. It will only be available for those experiencing Final Fantasy XIV for the first time. After Beta testing has concluded, you can start your official adventures on this console if you would like, but just make sure you’ve got a Game Pass subscription.