Can You Own a House on the Free Trial of FFXIV?

The direct and unambiguous answer is: No, you cannot own a house on the Free Trial of Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV). Housing is a feature restricted to players who have purchased the full game and have an active subscription. While the Free Trial offers a substantial amount of content, including access to the base game (A Realm Reborn) and multiple expansions, it deliberately limits access to certain end-game and quality-of-life features, and housing is one of them.

Why Can’t Free Trial Players Own Houses?

The restriction on housing access for Free Trial players is primarily aimed at preventing abuse and maintaining the integrity of the game’s economy and community. Allowing Free Trial accounts to purchase and hoard houses would potentially lead to:

• Land Speculation: Free accounts could buy up available plots, artificially inflating prices and making it harder for paying subscribers to acquire housing.
• Account Farming: Malicious actors could create numerous Free Trial accounts to secure multiple plots, effectively monopolizing the housing market.
• Server Congestion: The creation of a large number of Free Trial accounts solely for housing purposes could strain server resources, impacting the overall player experience.
• Inactive Houses: Free Trial players are inherently more likely to become inactive, leading to a proliferation of abandoned houses that occupy valuable land.

By restricting housing to paying subscribers, Square Enix ensures a degree of commitment and activity within the housing market, preserving its value and accessibility for those who actively support the game. The housing system in FFXIV is designed to be a significant investment and a long-term commitment, fitting better within the scope of a subscription-based account.

What Can You Do Regarding Housing on the Free Trial?

While you can’t own a house on the Free Trial, you’re not entirely excluded from the housing experience. Here’s what you can do:

• Visit Housing Wards: You can explore the housing districts of the game. Wander through residential areas in cities like Limsa Lominsa, Gridania, and Ul’dah and admire the exteriors of the houses. Observe how other players have decorated their yards and get a feel for the atmosphere of different wards.
• Visit Friends’ Houses (If Allowed): If you have friends who own houses and grant you access, you can visit their homes and see the interior decorations. However, note that Free Trial players cannot be directly invited into houses by subscribers. The homeowner needs to adjust their house settings to allow any visitors, and you must then enter as a visitor, not as an invited guest.
• Explore Apartments in Major Cities: While not exactly the same as owning a house, you can visit apartments in major cities and see how players have decorated their small spaces. Apartments are a more accessible alternative to housing, though still unavailable to Free Trial players. This can give you ideas for your own future housing design.
• Research Housing Options: The Free Trial is a perfect opportunity to research the different types of houses available, the costs associated with them, and the various customization options. You can learn about different exterior designs, interior furnishings, and the overall mechanics of the housing system to prepare for when you eventually purchase the full game and subscribe.

The Allure of FFXIV Housing

The housing system in FFXIV is much more than just a place to store your belongings. It’s a dynamic feature that provides a wealth of benefits and opportunities for player customization and social interaction.

• Personalization: Housing allows players to fully personalize their space with a wide range of furniture, decorations, and exterior designs. You can create a home that truly reflects your individual style and preferences.
• Crafting and Gardening: Houses provide access to gardening plots where you can grow various plants and materials used in crafting. They also allow you to place crafting stations to easily create items.
• Social Hub: Houses can serve as social hubs for Free Companies (guilds) and friend groups. They can be used for hosting events, gatherings, and role-playing activities.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Owning a beautifully decorated house is a status symbol and a source of pride for many players. It adds a significant layer of depth and engagement to the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about FFXIV Housing and the Free Trial

1. Will I Ever Be Able to Own a House on the Free Trial?

No, there are no indications that Square Enix plans to allow Free Trial players to own houses in the future. The restrictions are in place for specific reasons, and these are unlikely to change.

2. What Happens to My House if My Subscription Lapses?

If you stop subscribing to FFXIV, you have 45 days (or 35 days in some cases) before your house is demolished. You will receive warnings before this happens. If demolished, your furnishings are placed in storage, and the plot becomes available for purchase. A portion of the gil you originally spent on the land may be reimbursed depending on factors such as the size of the plot.

3. What Are the Different Sizes of Houses in FFXIV?

There are three sizes of houses in FFXIV: small, medium, and large. Each size offers different amounts of interior space and yard space.

4. How Much Does a House Cost in FFXIV?

The cost of a house varies depending on the size of the plot and the server you are playing on. Small plots are the cheapest, followed by medium and then large plots. Prices also fluctuate based on demand.

5. How Do I Purchase a House in FFXIV?

To purchase a house, you need to have reached a certain level in the game (usually around level 50), completed certain main story quests, and have a sufficient amount of gil. You then need to find an available plot in one of the housing wards and interact with the placard to initiate the purchase process. You then have to wait a randomized timer to complete the purchase.

6. What is the Lottery System for Housing?

To combat land speculation, FFXIV introduced a lottery system for purchasing housing plots. When a plot becomes available, players can enter a lottery for the chance to win the right to purchase it.

7. Can I Relocate My House to a Different Plot?

Yes, you can relocate your house to a different plot, but you will need to pay a relocation fee and the price of the new plot. You also receive compensation for your old plot based on its value.

8. What Are Apartments in FFXIV?

Apartments are smaller, instanced housing units that are more readily available than houses. They offer a smaller amount of customizable space but are a more affordable option.

9. Can Free Company Members Share a House?

Yes, Free Company members can share a house owned by their Free Company. This allows multiple players to contribute to the decoration and maintenance of a shared space.

10. Are There Different Housing Styles in FFXIV?

Yes, there are different housing styles available, depending on the region and the expansion. Each style offers unique exterior designs and architectural features.

11. What Kind of Furniture Can I Place in My House?

You can place a wide variety of furniture in your house, including tables, chairs, beds, decorations, crafting stations, and more. The options are vast, allowing for extensive customization.

12. Can I Invite Friends to My House?

Yes, you can invite friends to your house and grant them various levels of access, such as the ability to decorate or interact with certain items.

13. How Do I Decorate My House?

To decorate your house, you need to access the housing menu and select the “Place Furniture” option. This allows you to drag and drop furniture items from your inventory into your house.

14. What are Gardening Plots Used For?

Gardening plots are used to grow various plants and materials that are used in crafting. You can cultivate different types of flowers, vegetables, and other resources.

15. Is Housing Cross-Server?

No, housing is not cross-server. You can only own a house on the server where your character resides. If you transfer your character to a different server, you will lose your house.

While you can’t directly participate in the housing system on the FFXIV Free Trial, you can still experience a significant portion of the game’s content. Use this time to explore other aspects of the game, learn its mechanics, and prepare for when you eventually decide to subscribe and unlock the full housing experience. The world of Eorzea awaits, and your dream home is just a subscription away!