FFXI First Time Setup Guide

Dale's One Stop Guide to Install FFXI:

1) Grab the installer from http://www.playonline.com/ff11eu/download/media/install_win.html or http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/download/media/install_win.html, obviously depending on your region. Make sure you download all 5 files linked on that page, all to the same folder.

2) Run the .exe you downloaded to extract the game's actual installer somewhere. Doesn't matter where, can extract it to the same folder you downloaded to.

3)  Run FFXISetup.exe inside the folder you just extracted. Make sure you install the DirectX Runtime (it's an older runtime so you'll probably need it), PlayOnline and Final Fantasy XI. If it prompts you about DirectPlay during the install, MAKE SURE YOU ENABLE IT. It is required to play FFXI on newer OSes.

4) From here, you have two options, you can either try the free trial (https://gb.store.square-enix-games.com/final-fantasy_-xi_-free-trial---digital - EU https://na.store.square-enix-games.com/final-fantasy_-xi_-free-trial---digital - NA) or buy the full game (https://gb.store.square-enix-games.com/final-fantasy_-xi_-ultimate-collection-seekers-edition---digital - EU https://na.store.square-enix-games.com/final-fantasy_-xi_-ultimate-collection-seekers-edition---digital - NA) I'd recommend the free trial if you're just wanting to have a nose, but it is quite limited in comparison to XIV's trial so keep that in mind. The full game does go on sale rather regularly and includes everything you need, and 30-days sub as part of it.

5) Add whatever to your cart and checkout as you would anywhere else, if you need help with this bit hoo boy.

6) Wait for SE to email you out the code for your trial or purchase and follow the instructions provided in the email to add either to your account Square Enix Account.

7) After following the instructions in the email, you will have a randomized string of shit to login to PlayOnline with, SAVE IT. The PlayOnline email and password are worthless though, you can discard them.

8) Now we start PlayOnline and get slammed in the face with the first time setup for that. Just follow the instructions given. And enjoy Filter Branch (the song you can hear right now... which I am listening to as I type this because PlayOnline takes so long to update for such a small program holy shit, and yes I am doing this step-by-step as I go with a trial account to make sure I get everything right)

9) Restart PlayOnline once that update has finished, then click "For PlayOnline Members!" since you already have a PlayOnline ID and password given to you earlier in step 7, fill out the form that pops up as appropriate.

10) Once logged in, enter your POL Handle name when prompted (doesn't matter what it is, you can change it later), your profile doesn't matter either so you can skip that. Once PlayOnline has taken a small eternity to load the landing page, click on FINAL FANTASY XI, click Play, and enjoy the 15-year long update. After that, you're in! I'd recommend now closing the game because, lol, and finding Final Fantasy XI Config on your computer so you can set the game to the correct resolution, set up your gamepad if you're using one, etc etc. Good luck, you're gonna need it!