Perhaps in an extra stressful moment like the present one, you want to let your brain free to graze green pastures, i.e. play something that will not require you to think at all. In this case, online lotteries might be just the thing for you, easy peasy, the thrill of waiting for the result, and no complicated philosophies. On the contrary, if you need something engaging there is good news for you. Square Enix, the owner of the FF saga, has just launched a free login for Final Fantasy XIV. The event will run until May 17^th, so you can choose within this period when it is most suitable for you to enjoy the eight days in a row. “For example, players who log in on April 15, 2020 at 12:00 a.m. can play free of charge until April 22, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.”, Square Enix has explained.  Since the format is eight calendar days, not 24 hours x 8, you can determine when it is most suitable for you to start. In case you are working from home. You will not want to miss your business meetings and work deadlines because you are wandering somewhere in Eorzea.

There is a catch 22 in the event: it is not for everybody. Actually, it is very precisely targeted to a specific audience. Only those users who have previously bought and registered Final Fantasy XIV are eligible for the free login. And this is not the end of the story. All registered service accounts should be set to inactive during the duration of the event. One more rule: registered server accounts must have been inactive for at least 30 days. Details of service accounts can be confirmed via the Final Fantasy XIV: Mog Station.

Wow! Isn’t this all a bit too complicated? Where is the advantage for players, with all these limitations? The fact is that Square Enix is obviously trying to lure back subscribers who may have wandered away from the game. The delays with the latest patch, that was announced on April 10^th, might have something to do with it. Director Naoki Yoshida explained in a note that their teams are now working from home: “Here in Tokyo, where the FFXIV team is located, a state of emergency has been declared,” writes Yoshida. “And we have been ordered to take preventative measures”. Just three days earlier Square Enix had succeeded in releasing patch 5.25, “Introducing a new quest series offering upgradeable equipment, Save the Queen: Blades of Gunnhildr  as well as Skysteel crafter and gatherer tools!” Players can expect a new difficulty trial, more content for crafters and gatherers, recipes, and a new quest series. Patch 5.2, Echoes of a Fallen Star, went live just a few weeks earlier.

In short, Square Enix is putting a lot of effort in keeping FFXIV alive and kicking and fit. This is why the free login event is conceived to rekindle the affections of those players who may have stranded from the large, 18-million strong, community. “Please note that a subscription to FFXIV is required to continue playing after the event period”, the instructions specify. The minimum monthly fee for FFXIV is $ 12.99 while the Starter Edition Digital Download runs at $19.99 and the Complete Edition (with extensions) at $ 59.99. Not exactly cheap, but there is a free trial up to level 35 to help you make your mind if the game is good value for your money.