Final Fantasy 14 Mobile launched in China, pointing towards a good sign for its global release. Read on to learn more about the game’s Chinese version and what the community thinks about its monetization model.
FF14 Mobile Development Progress
Now Available in China
Final Fantasy 14 (FF14) Mobile reaches a major milestone as the game launched in China on June 19. Developer Lightspeed Studio celebrated with a post on Bilibili on June 19 and thanked fans for their much anticipation for the game.
FF14 Mobile was first announced on November 20, 2024, via a surprise tweet on the game’s official Twitter (X) account. In the post, Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida officially unveiled that Square Enix will bring the critically acclaimed MMORPG to mobile devices. It will first be available in China, while its global release will follow soon after.
The mobile version will feature a simplified combat system to accommodate the devices and will include content from A Realm Reborn, five classic Final Fantasy job types, and more. There are no official announcements regarding the game’s global launch, but its Chinese release could indicate that development is heading in the right direction.
Community is Split on Microtransactions
The FF14 community is currently split regarding the topic of microtransactions in the mobile version. While the original game does include in-app purchases and follows a subscription-based model, FF14 Mobile is free-to-play, with microtransactions being optional.
With this, many expected the game to be microtransaction-friendly, but it seems that the same structure will be implemented as in the original game. In a Reddit post on June 19, user RablaAndrews shared the monetization content of FF14 Mobile day one in China.
They said that the game follows the same model as other mobile titles, particularly its monthly premium service, currency packs, battle pass, and more. Some already expected this, but still don’t agree to have this much presented on day one.
Users debated this topic, saying that it is "normal" for mobile games to include this many microtransactions. Others argue that the franchise could do away with the mobile business and stick with the original game. Despite this, many were happy to know it will not have gacha mechanics, which is a prevalent system implemented in most mobile games nowadays.
It’s still up in the air whether FF14 Mobile’s monetization model in China will translate well when it launches globally. Final Fantasy 14 Mobile is now available in China for Android and iOS devices, while its global version is set to release at a later date. To stay up to date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below!
Source:
Lightspeed Studios Bilibili post on FF14 Chinese Launch
FFXIV Mobile Twitter (X) post on Official Reveal
Monetisation Content available as of launch day.
