Buyer beware; if you buy and register the Steam version of FFXIV, your account will be locked to that version, and you won't be able to play on any other platforms, or on the standalone PC version. In said case, renewing your subscription will also have to be done differently.


If you are a weirdo like me, and despite already playing the game via the standalone version still want it "legitimately" in your Steam library without having to convert your account and forbid yourself from playing on other platforms or the standalone version, you can sorta trick Steam/Square, by simply following these steps (works with the free trial version too):

> Go into your library, and right click on FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE
> Go to Properties
> In the LAUNCH OPTIONS field, copy-paste the full path to the standalone version of the game followed by %command%
E.g.
"G:\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn\boot\ffxivboot64.exe" %command%
(Also works with the fan-made XIVlauncher which I much prefer and actually use. Just used the default launcher for the example's sake)

This will launch the standalone version, keeping your Mogstation account version restriction-free, while showing you to be playing FFXIV proper on Steam


At the time of writing, I actually have 9312 hours clocked in on my main, but since Steam cannot count the play hours on other platforms and on the standalone from prior to me doing this trick, what can you do ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I just wanted to get the game into my Steam library like any other game I own without lacking access to community and clocking in hours etc. like you do by adding a non-Steam game.

Maybe I will bother writing an actual review of some sort beyond "game good" some day, I dunno. Just wanted to share the tip in case anyone else wants to technically have the game on Steam without losing access like I did.