Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Amazon Spring Sale
  • New Games for 2026
  • Crimson Desert
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Pokopia
Don't miss these
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 77% of US Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth players were 30 or older, analyst says
Macduff on his horse looking at the landscape of Pywel in Crimson Desert.
Open World Games Crimson Desert players say they feel "misled" after learning most mounts aren't permanent
The Future of Starfield hero image
RPGs The Future of Starfield: How Bethesda Game Studios is beginning to breathe new life into its most misunderstood RPG
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 boss Yoshi-P says the JRPG series is releasing games slower these days and losing younger gamers
Crimson Desert
RPGs Crimson Desert devs fix missing pre-order bonuses, instruct Steam players to "restart your game" to find them
A shot captured in Final Fantasy 14 of three short elven-like characters known as Lalafells standing together with two humans, and two Miqo'te characters who have cat-like ears
RPGs The 10 best MMORPGs and MMOs to play in 2026
World of Warcraft: Midnight
World of Warcraft Blizzard is finally giving World of Warcraft fans an official Pride event in a new Midnight update
Marathon Cryo Archive runners looting
FPS Games Marathon's Cryo Archive is locked to weekends partly because you're going to "lose a lot of gear"
A scene from Final Fantasy 10 showing character Yuna standing on the water holding out her rod as the sun sets
Final Fantasy Best Final Fantasy games of all-time
Fortnite characters Hope and Kendo in the cinematic trailer for Chapter 6: Season 1.
Games Epic Games "will solve the insurance" for terminally ill employee impacted by mass layoffs, CEO says
Key art for World of Warcraft: Midnight showing Lor'themar Theron grimacing in golden armor with a huge golden sword ready to fight back the darkness
World of Warcraft World of Warcraft guild known for raid-busting exploits disqualified from new Midnight Mythic race by Blizzard
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
JRPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead writer says it's "crazy" to see Final Fantasy legends praising Sandfall's game
Chained Echoes
RPGs Creator of acclaimed retro-style RPG Chained Echoes prepares a lawsuit against physical game publisher
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Final Fantasy 14 lost me with Dawntrail, but The Elder Scrolls Online promises to mend my broken heart
Key art for World of Warcraft: Midnight showing Xal'atath hovering against a dark sky
World of Warcraft World of Warcraft: Midnight review: "My devotion to this RPG world has been renewed"
  1. Games
  2. JRPG
  3. Final Fantasy
  4. Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker offers free game time to make up for lengthy queues over the weekend

News
By Vikki Blake published 5 December 2021

"I am truly sorry"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker
(Image credit: Square Enix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Naoki Yoshida – producer and director of Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker – is offering seven free days of game time as an apology to fans who have spent the weekend sitting in long queues, trying to join a Final Fantasy 14 server.

Thanking players for their "understanding and cooperation thus far", Yoshida acknowledged that the server "congestion" started with the release of Endwalker in Early Access and offered a detailed explanation about why the congestion is happening, and how players can alleviate error messages and frustrating disconnections.

"Currently, all Worlds across all regions have been hitting the login cap for extremely long periods of time, and the progression of login queues is being slowed dramatically," he explained in a blog post. "Across the FFXIV service as a whole, the number of simultaneous logins has reached the hardware limit, and as a result, logging in has required an extremely long time, especially during 'peak hours' when we tend to see increased player activity. For this, I am truly sorry.

Article continues below
You may like
  • Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail cinematic screenshot showing Alphinaud Leveilleur, an Elezen boy with short white hair Final Fantasy 14 might just be healing as unofficial census shows increase of 110,000 players in 3 months
  • Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail launch trailer screenshot showing the Warrior of Light, a man with tied-back brown hair and a sword, standing against a blue backdrop with clouds Final Fantasy 14 news blog goes down as Square Enix takes action against its admin for allegedly defamatory content
  • Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail screenshot featuring character Y'shtola Rhul, a Miqo'te woman with white hair framing her face and cat-like ears Another Final Fantasy 14 news blog shuts down as admin cites "weight of responsibility" after statement from Square Enix

"Considering that we are asking players to wait in queues for extremely long periods of time and the ongoing situation making it difficult to play normally, we have decided that during the official release of Endwalker on December 7, we will be granting 7 days of free game time to all players who own the full version of the game and have an active subscription," he added. "This also includes players who are currently playing on the 30-day free play period included when registering the full version of the game and those with multiple accounts."

Yoshida didn't rule out giving away extra free game time over the next few days, either.

"Furthermore, we may give additional free game time depending on further developments on the congestion situation," he concluded. "The timing at which the free game time will be provided, as well as any additional extensions, will be announced at a later time. We truly appreciate your cooperation and patience regarding the congestion situation."

In need of a Final Fantasy 14 story recap? If you wish to refresh your memory with a brief FF14 story overview, we've got you covered. Here's everything that transpired from the start of A Realm Reborn to the finale of Shadowbringers. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

While you're sitting in the queues, check out our previous interview with director Yoshida, or our expansive Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker preview for standout moments of hours spent with the new expansion.

Final Fantasy 14 will do its best Animal Crossing impression with this great new feature in the Endwalker expansion.

CATEGORIES
PS4 PS5 PC Gaming Platforms PlayStation
Vikki Blake
Vikki Blake
Social Links Navigation
Weekend Reporter, GamesRadar+

Vikki Blake is GamesRadar+'s Weekend Reporter. Vikki works tirelessly to ensure that you have something to read on the days of the week beginning with 'S', and can also be found contributing to outlets including the BBC, Eurogamer, and GameIndustry.biz. Vikki also runs a weekly games column at NME, and can be frequently found talking about Destiny 2 and Silent Hill on Twitter. 

Read more
Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail cinematic screenshot showing Alphinaud Leveilleur, an Elezen boy with short white hair
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 might just be healing as unofficial census shows increase of 110,000 players in 3 months
 
 
Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail launch trailer screenshot showing the Warrior of Light, a man with tied-back brown hair and a sword, standing against a blue backdrop with clouds
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 news blog goes down as Square Enix takes action against its admin for allegedly defamatory content
 
 
Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail screenshot featuring character Y'shtola Rhul, a Miqo'te woman with white hair framing her face and cat-like ears
Final Fantasy Another Final Fantasy 14 news blog shuts down as admin cites "weight of responsibility" after statement from Square Enix
 
 
Final Fantasy 11
Final Fantasy Despite contending with Final Fantasy 14, the 23-year-old FF11 is locking off a third server due to overpopulation
 
 
A close-up of Cloud Strife during one of the best Steam Deck games, Final Fantasy VII Remake
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 7 Remake lead knows JRPG fans are time-poor, but thinks some options could help you finish it in one day
 
 
Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail trailer screenshot showing Wuk Lamat, a Hrothgar woman with fiery long hair, aboard a ship at sea
Final Fantasy New Final Fantasy 14 Live Letter dedicated to 7.5 set for next month, and fans hope for the long-awaited Beastmaster job
 
 
Latest in Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy Long-rumored Final Fantasy 9 remake is apparently on ice with "no new movement", according to reliable insider
 
 
Cropped header key art for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
Final Fantasy For the first time ever, Square Enix is crowned top publisher on Metacritic thanks to its 2025 run of remakes
 
 
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 77% of US Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth players were 30 or older, analyst says
 
 
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 boss Yoshi-P says the JRPG series is releasing games slower these days and losing younger gamers
 
 
Vivi
Final Fantasy After 5 years, the Final Fantasy 9 animated series is actually in production
 
 
Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 1,200 hours in, Final Fantasy 14 fan trying to beat the MMO under RuneScape's Ironman rules clears biggest obstacle yet
 
 
Latest in News
Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Animated Movies The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is on track to beat Project Hail Mary for the biggest opening weekend of 2026 so far
 
 
Marathon Thief shell in dark lighting
FPS Games Marathon just buffed the best loot you can find outside Cryo Archive and nerfed the Thief exploit
 
 
An apparent teaser for a project called Nier: Cosmic Horror
Action RPGs Square Enix announces "Nier: Cosmic Horror" on April 1, chaos ensues, Yoko Taro eats pho noodles
 
 
The Crew
Racing Games Ubisoft sued over The Crew shutdown by French consumer group backed by Stop Killing Games
 
 
The Super Mario Bros. Show
Animated Movies AI "upgraded" versions of the 1989 Super Mario Bros. cartoon are airing now on MeTV, and the results aren't pretty
 
 
Spike closely staring at the camera in a Mario Kart World screenshot.
Super Mario Mario Kart World's Bullet Bill power-ups "actually work like they're supposed to" now, players say
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Marathon Thief shell in dark lighting
    1
    Marathon just buffed the best loot you can find outside Cryo Archive and nerfed the Thief exploit
  2. 2
    Square Enix announces "Nier: Cosmic Horror" on April 1, chaos ensues, Yoko Taro eats pho noodles
  3. 3
    Elder Scrolls Online will feel like a new MMO, with naval combat, solo dungeons, and a return to Skyrim underway
  4. 4
    Final Fantasy 14 lost me with Dawntrail, but The Elder Scrolls Online promises to mend my broken heart
  5. 5
    Ubisoft sued over The Crew shutdown by French consumer group backed by Stop Killing Games

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...