[Drake Weathers]

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Starting December 14th, SQUARE ENIX MEMBERS will merge with the Square Enix Account system. The move, which also combines logins for some other Japanese-only titles, will finally wrap up Square Enix online services into one neat and tidy area. Also, it will allow them to launch their new online-based currency: Crysta.



The site originally used "Member Coins," but now Crysta will become the new standard for purchasing things from the Members store, such as Avatar clothing, books, CDs and games. Two things make this especially interesting: First is the fact that you can buy in-game currency in Fantasy Earth Zero, and second is the assurance that Crysta will work for "all services linked to your Square Enix Account."

In Fantasy Earth Zero, there are three types of currency -- two available in game, and one obtained via credit card or WebMoney purchase. By standardizing a web-based currency, it seems simple for Square Enix to bring Crysta over to Final Fantasy XIV and avoid many of the headaches experienced in Final Fanatsy XI, such as billing errors and the resulting bannings. It would be great to see Crysta available in the PSN store, purchasable through PayPal on Square Enix's site, or perhaps even Crysta cards at your local video game emporium. This would be perfect for potential Final Fantasy XIV subscribers who may not have access to their own credit card.

It also opens up the possibility for a lot more control on Square Enix's part. If certain aspects of Final Fantasy XIV were prone to abuse by RMT, they could become available through Crysta, swiftly invalidating the efforts of gil-farmers. However, it's a tricky issue since while some will surely welcome the elimination of RMT players, others will oppose the idea of paying real money for in-game currency or items.

In Japan, WebMoney is easy to get at any convenience store with some cash and one can be up and running their FFXI character in no time. That's why it's easy to envision Crysta cards showing up at the local 7-11 along with the myriad of other electronic currencies available. Sadly, it may be a pipe dream to hope that such convenience will reach foreign shores. Presently, the transfer to Crysta has only been posted on the Japanese SQUARE ENIX MEMBERS site, but here's hoping they are working out a smoother payment system for their loyal fans overseas as well. For a game that aims to simultaneously launch and manage customers in multiple regions of the world, it would certainly benefit both players and Square Enix to have a single, unifying currency.

Source:
Corinth from JP Button

[Gyli]

Draconix, on 27 November 2009 - 07:05 AM, said:

it's a tricky issue since while some will surely welcome the elimination of RMT players, others will oppose the idea of paying real money for in-game currency or items.

That's the biggest problem there going to have if they take this route. Especially for a Triple A title that will require a monthly payment people won't enjoy the idea of having to pay extra money for items dominated by the RMT.

Though I for one am not one of those people and will be willing to pay depending on the situation. Though it'll be interesting to see how Square-Enix will handle this.

[guardianknight]

I play a free to play game that has ingame items attainable through a cash shop (perfect world international) and its real easy to screw up an economy using such a system. As a result of an item in the cash shop the trade rate between coins and gold (gold being the cash shop currency) has skyrocketed. Bringing with it the inflation of about everything else the normal player would use (hp/mp charms, and several other things). With this kindof system I've seen its real easy to mess with an economy if they're not careful with what they release and how long its there.

[Drake Weathers]

I, too am looking forward to seeing how they handle it as well. While we are on the subject of billing, how many of you like the new 3d secure that FFXI has? Do you want it in FFXIV?

[Evicerator]

4Gamer interviewed SE asking them about MicroTransactions:

and Tanaka responded:

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The possibility of micro transactions is not that appealing for fear of consumers having no more interest in the game after obtaining all the premium items, causing them to play the game for a shorter amount of time.

http://www.ffxivcore...naka-and-sundi/

I think it is safe to say there won't be Micro Transactions.

This new system sounds like how they're going to allow player tp buy their subscriptions.

[Dawiichan]

Down with Ingame Cash Shops! Just look at Maple Story >_>

[Zyuu]

Fairly interesting :) Not sure if it's worthy a front-page news though. Was thinking about it earlier as we had it translated but said no to it.

Oh, and moving the topic to the Gold Saucer.

[Bosnian]

ehh it should be fine. they are probly doing what blizzard did with battle.net and are going to be selling crap like in-game pets

[Dex]

Evicerator, on 27 November 2009 - 08:13 AM, said:

4Gamer interviewed SE asking them about MicroTransactions:

and Tanaka responded:


http://www.ffxivcore...naka-and-sundi/

I think it is safe to say there won't be Micro Transactions.

This new system sounds like how they're going to allow player tp buy their subscriptions.

I remember this interview and it was a big relief that we won't be dealing with this crap.

[Vivere]

My guess is that they'll only use it for buying game time and not for in game items or currency. If this is the case, I'm all for it, because I hate using a credit card unless I have to.

[Mooga]

Vivere, on 27 November 2009 - 11:40 AM, said:

My guess is that they'll only use it for buying game time and not for in game items or currency. If this is the case, I'm all for it, because I hate using a credit card unless I have to.

I would guess that to.

But I think that wont be the case of FFXIV, Maybe you just buy the Game Time or Game Content such has the little content story that are now on FFXI, I think would be more that then In-Game Items. That is also, if there is IN-Game Items, they would be items that wouldn't change much the Economy. Altought I think that wont happend.

Also on my since I have two accounts, one in America and other in Europe, the Europe is realhy nothing much, but the america still had the avatar you can make and so, and add game code for points to get extra games or goodies. IF they are going to merge all the accounts worldwide, that will be awesome.

Looking foward to hear more about it. :P Thanks for the share.

[Shenji]

No matter the system RMT will stay they shoudnt make you be able too pay for items and gils after spanking so many people on the hands then turning around and doing that it would be rather stupid of them
they should increase the measures agaisnt rmt and have more gm and etc i mean if they really listened too half the complaints from players per server its always the same rmt that monopolized the items i remember on caitsith one was named Ykk and he botted the same thing everyday and night if they monitor the people and bann em and ban some ips sooner or later after getting banned X matter of time they might learn or at least it might hinder them jacking the economy up watever can help too keep the game clean