I Can't Play FFXIV Because SE Is a Nightmare

MegaSackman · Jul 17, 2019

I forgot why I never gave this game a chance... login in it's a pain in the ass.

So, I played a beta on PS3 back in the day, when I got a PS4 tried to play it there but it was impossible to log in.

Half a decade later I'm willing to buy the game and voil la, it's impossible.

First, obviously I have an account with my credentials, I don't remember some info but I got my ID and Pass so one would think that's enough... well, it's enough to enter in the website at least but not in the game, why?

Here's why, it might be possible I have two accounts but I'm not sure, on the website my ID is Mega-Sackman and I had my PSN account linked just right.
When I got to PS4 my ID is hard locked as MegaSackman... ok... well, my password doesn't work so, bad luck huh.

Tried everything but I can'tget in so I unlinked my PSN account out of desperation from my Mega-Sackman account, huge mistake because now I can't link it back because it says I don't have permission on that server or some crap.

I thought it was because I was trying on mobile but I can't do it on my laptop either.

Anyway I created a new account with a new email but again, can't link my PSN account.

Can somebody please help me with this garbage?

Bane · Jul 17, 2019

Email them or use their customer service chat and I imagine they'll get it sorted out.

DailyCalmSpirit · Jul 17, 2019

I had the same situation a few months ago. Try logging in with youremail.Com .

The capital C is what helped me log in with my original name from the beta. No idea why. The system is ancient.

Sillution · Jul 17, 2019

I would reach out to Square Enix support. They have been helpful to me before in the past with getting my account back.

Shokunin · Jul 17, 2019

DailyCalmSpirit said:
I had the same situation a few months ago. Try logging in with youremail.Com .

The capital C is what helped me log in with my original name from the beta. No idea why. The system is ancient.

Lmao, I had issues logging before when they offered the game for free from Twitch Prime. This is probably the solution. What a joke.

HeeHo · Jul 17, 2019

For myself, I once had major issues because there was an invisible space after my email log in.

Velocity:Design:Comfort · Jul 17, 2019

I had to use a burner PSN account to get around this hard locked username problem. Made an account, just didn't know the security answers from half a decade ago and they would never help me get the password.

MegaSackman · Jul 17, 2019

So, in a weird way I finally could link up my PSN account to my new Square Enix account, however the older one it's still hard locked on the PS4 system so I can't log in into the game yet.

Trying to find the support channel for help.

AgentOtaku · Jul 17, 2019

In the exact same boat OP :/

Stanicle · Jul 17, 2019

Same thing for me and also at some point attached a security token to it. Emailed customer support and back in the game in 1 day.

Deleted member 29660 · Jul 17, 2019

I had this problem the other day as well, it left me annoyed and not wanting to play the game. I will add that once before I had said problem I called into support and they helped me out no problem.

MegaSackman · Jul 17, 2019

I just sent an email but I'll keep looking for ways to get in, I can't believe how bad this is. It actually made me remember how pissed I was when I tried to play it at launch.

Edit: According to the internet, you can only have one ID per PS4 so in order to play with my new account I have to create a new PlayStation profile.

Master class, Squenix, master class.

ZeroX · Jul 17, 2019

The beta fucked my account for years too. No idea why they've still got limitations set in place from players who touched it once on PS3 that long ago. I don't know what changed but eventually my account and PSN got unlinked and I could create a new SE account and play on my PSN.

And of course now I finally have access to the game and I'm struggling to play it with how mind numbingly boring it is lol

Keldroc · Jul 17, 2019

It's astounding how inept SE is at online sub management. I ended up subscribing to the wrong version of FF14 on my SE account because the Steam version has to be set up and linked as a separate "service account" under your SE account but they auto-create a non-Steam account when you login and I thought that was the Steam-related one I had bought. But then none of the codes worked and I had to do a bunch of research on how to get that to work right and now they refuse to refund the sub cost from the version I didn't want to play in the first place.

They've been doing this for almost 20 years, how is their account interface still this bad?

Android Sophia · Jul 17, 2019

MogStation account system being inept + PSN Account Linking being inept. Loads of fun for everyone! *cough*

Seems like I'm always hearing about this too.

MegaSackman · Jul 17, 2019

So, I'm trying to get that og account back but when I try to change my password I can't get my security question right, I'm screwed, right?

I guess I just have to make a new PSN account but man, what a drag that is.

Edit: Good news, I figured out the answer for the security question.

Bad news, that's not the account I'm looking for, gee how many of this things I have set up?

Valkerion · Jul 18, 2019

Square Enix login systems have always been terrible in an attempt to make them secure.

I could not get my old account back either so I just made a fresh account, not that I was very far in the game or remembered much of it.

Kupo Kupopo · Jul 18, 2019

MegaSackman said:
So, I'm trying to get that og account back but when I try to change my password I can't get my security question right, I'm screwed, right?

I guess I just have to make a new PSN account but man, what a drag that is.

Edit: Good news, I figured out the answer for the security question.

Bad news, that's not the account I'm looking for, gee how many of this things I have set up?

y'know, as bad as squeenix might be, it's almost like you might also be part of the problem, here :) ...

kurahador · Jul 18, 2019

Call their live chat. Had to reformat my phone once and lost the 2FA, they only asked me my email address registered to the account and then I got my account back.

MegaSackman · Jul 18, 2019

Kupo Kupopo said:
y'know, as bad as squeenix might be, it's almost like you might also be part of the problem, here :) ...

I probably created a bunch of accounts when I wanted to try it on PS4 because my first one didn't work.
I mean yeah, my anxiety snowballed the problem but this is still ridiculous. -_-

Geode · Jul 18, 2019

Well that sucks, I'm glad I've never had any issues.

LycanXIII · Jul 18, 2019

If you can find a link to their live chat, it'll take like 5 minutes to unlink an old account and link a new one. It's just a pain finding that link.

noyram23 · Jul 18, 2019

Happened to me too during PS3->PS4 that I just made a new service account instead, it's a shit show and shocking that they still haven't fixed it. The game is great though (well not so much on pre HW) so it's probably worth the headache

MegaSackman · Jul 18, 2019

LycanXIII said:
If you can find a link to their live chat, it'll take like 5 minutes to unlink an old account and link a new one. It's just a pain finding that link.

I got to the live chat but they're off right now, have to wait til tomorrow.

The good news is that I remembered my password for the MegaSackman account!

The bad news is that the account is inactive and I don't understand what they want me to do now with it but I'll keep working on it.

Athreous · Jul 18, 2019

I never had any kind of problem with account stuff while asking for help from SE, and I had big issues with accounts, but it was my fault, not their... so they fixed it everytime =)

Dodgerfan74 · Jul 18, 2019

Yup, I had similar issues when I tried to get into the game. PSN is still positive I don't own FFXIV even though I own all the expansions because of some issue with the trial.

banshee150 · Jul 18, 2019

You should never play FFXI then... you would tear your hair out over that....

MegaSackman · Jul 18, 2019

So I just can't register the game to my account, it says my subscription expired and I should restart the launcher, select account to confirm the status of my service but there's no such thing on PS4. I'm asked if I have a SE account, I select yes and log in, once I do that it tells me the same thing.

On the web site it says it can't be done through it, that I should do it on the PS4...

Edit: Oh, apparently the trial is not elegible for those that have already tried the game...

FairFight · Jul 18, 2019

MegaSackman said:
I forgot why I never gave this game a chance... login in it's a pain in the ass.

So, I played a beta on PS3 back in the day, when I got a PS4 tried to play it there but it was impossible to log in.

Half a decade later I'm willing to buy the game and voil la, it's impossible.

First, obviously I have an account with my credentials, I don't remember some info but I got my ID and Pass so one would think that's enough... well, it's enough to enter in the website at least but not in the game, why?

Here's why, it might be possible I have two accounts but I'm not sure, on the website my ID is Mega-Sackman and I had my PSN account linked just right.
When I got to PS4 my ID is hard locked as MegaSackman... ok... well, my password doesn't work so, bad luck huh.

Tried everything but I can'tget in so I unlinked my PSN account out of desperation from my Mega-Sackman account, huge mistake because now I can't link it back because it says I don't have permission on that server or some crap.

I thought it was because I was trying on mobile but I can't do it on my laptop either.

Anyway I created a new account with a new email but again, can't link my PSN account.

Can somebody please help me with this garbage?

I have the same exact problem. Expect 5 days to a week between correspondence via email. I would suggest calling. I haven't tried yet so I can't tell you for sure. What I can tell you is, from my correspondence so far, there is a SEN ID Unlink form that will need to be completed. I can't find the form in the link they sent me though. It's just not there. I'm two weeks into trying to get this resolved. I thought I'd give the game another chance as I last played it on the PS3 as well. At this point though I might just say the hell with it. We'll see. It's just such a hassle.

Alice · Jul 18, 2019

MegaSackman said:
I just sent an email but I'll keep looking for ways to get in, I can't believe how bad this is. It actually made me remember how pissed I was when I tried to play it at launch.

Edit: According to the internet, you can only have one ID per PS4 so in order to play with my new account I have to create a new PlayStation profile.

Master class, Squenix, master class.

How's your account fumbling at all Square's fault? o_o;

MegaSackman · Jul 18, 2019

Well, problem solved, aside from remembering the password from that old account (turns out it has an email associated from an old gaming website I managed a long time ago) I just couldn't "try" the game again, so I just took the leap and bought the starter edition, that just made the deal, it works now.

@dedmunk · Jul 18, 2019

The account management etc around FFXIV feels as if Nintendo made an mmo

MegaSackman · Jul 18, 2019

Alice said:
How's your account fumbling at all Square's fault? o_o;

The problem is that if I lose an account from 6 years ago (in this case on a different system, PS3) because I'm not interested in the game but then want to come back, I'm screwed on PS4 because that account it's tied to your PSN account no matter what. Lucky me I somehow managed to remember my password for that account.

Kevers · Jul 18, 2019

MegaSackman said:
The problem is that if I lose an account from 6 years ago (in this case on a different system, PS3) because I'm not interested in the game but then want to come back, I'm screwed on PS4 because that account it's tied to your PSN account no matter what. Lucky me I somehow managed to remember my password for that account.

So it was your fault then.

MegaSackman · Jul 18, 2019

Kevers said:
So it was your fault then.

Yes but one would think this is really easy to fix instead of "well bad luck, I guess you can't play our game" you know, like every other game in existance?

Alice · Jul 18, 2019

MegaSackman said:
The problem is that if I lose an account from 6 years ago (in this case on a different system, PS3) because I'm not interested in the game but then want to come back, I'm screwed on PS4 because that account it's tied to your PSN account no matter what. Lucky me I somehow managed to remember my password for that account.

But that's an issue with how Sony and PSN handles accounts, not Square? I never lost a single of my accounts tbh. Whenever I start an account based game, I put my account info in the game's package. I could still access my Everquest account if it were possible. XD

CaviarMeths · Jul 18, 2019

You think FFXIV's account system is bad, try playing FFXI in 2019 lol.

Hope you're able to get this sorted out.

Goodacre0081 · Jul 18, 2019

Brought to you by the folks who gave us PlayOnline? Impossible ;)

PrismStar · Jul 18, 2019

CaviarMeths said:
You think FFXIV's account system is bad, try playing FFXI in 2019 lol.

Hope you're able to get this sorted out.

Yeah FFXI is way way worse. The worst register system ever.

Deleted member 426 · Jul 18, 2019

God damnit SE why can't I remember my password!

Seriously try FFXI back in the day. You'll need your Square Enix password, and your PlayOnline password and unique ID. You can set your PlayOnline ID and password to be automatic which means you'll never need to know it, except when you try and find an old account. Luckily the online chat is actually quite good!

Dreamwriter · Jul 18, 2019

MegaSackman said:
Yes but one would think this is really easy to fix instead of "well bad luck, I guess you can't play our game" you know, like every other game in existance?

There is a really easy fix, contact support.

Bufbaf · Jul 18, 2019

Isn't this a Sony issue and not a Squenix issue? I'm pretty sure ist's their system you can't create multiple accounts on without rebuying the game on a burner account, not SE's. On PC this is no issue whatsoever.

To clarify, I have a similar issue atm (new well played PC account, old and barely used derelict PSN version). I also can't access the damn thing nor my current one on PS4 without buying the game again, and it sucks, but I'd blame Sony, not SE.

Jailer of Hope · Jul 18, 2019

jacktuar said:
God damnit SE why can't I remember my password!

Seriously try FFXI back in the day. You'll need your Square Enix password, and your PlayOnline password and unique ID. You can set your PlayOnline ID and password to be automatic which means you'll never need to know it, except when you try and find an old account. Luckily the online chat is actually quite good!

PlayOnline was terrible, don't get me wrong, but at least you didn't need to link platform IDs or anything and you were only required to purchase software once if you wanted to access your account on multiple platforms.

mogster7777 · Jul 18, 2019

Unrelated but do people use 2 factor auth on their account? It's a real pain having to log in with it especially on ps4 as it's nust annoying accessing your phone tablet each time

Valcrist · Jul 18, 2019

mogster7777 said:
Unrelated but do people use 2 factor auth on their account? It's a real pain having to log in with it especially on ps4 as it's nust annoying accessing your phone tablet each time

Yes, use 2 factor. People have their accounts stolen all the time.

TheMink · Jul 18, 2019

Calling them was the most effective way to fix this, I promise you that.

Melkezadek · Jul 18, 2019

TheMink said:
Calling them was the most effective way to fix this, I promise you that.

Agreed x10000. Not only have I personally gone through this, but I've recently had to help a friend figure out how to log in as well. Emailing them is a waste of time and you'll only get frustrated. Their customer service has always been bad, but with all the Shadowbringers hype, you might as well be speaking to a SmarterChild AIM bot - completely useless.

If you can bare the long phone wait, that will probably be your best bet.

ZeroDS · Feb 20, 2020

Sorry to bump this age old thread but I'm currently having a similar issue. Is there anyway to unlink a pan account and a Square Enix account? I've looked everywhere and I'm having no luck. Trying to unlink an old account because I don't remember the details anymore and I'd rather not make a burner account just to play it

The Spoony Hou · Feb 20, 2020

I remember when Twitch Prime gave some FFXIV DLC or something I couldn't even log in to claim it... They suck.

Dreamwriter · Feb 20, 2020

ZeroDS said:
Sorry to bump this age old thread but I'm currently having a similar issue. Is there anyway to unlink a pan account and a Square Enix account? I've looked everywhere and I'm having no luck. Trying to unlink an old account because I don't remember the details anymore and I'd rather not make a burner account just to play it

Like the person above you said, call them. Their phone support is great for figuring out weird login problems, or recovering lost accounts, or whatever.

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