With the new update, Final Fantasy XIV has revamped housing. This caused a lot of frustration even before the update’s release. MeinMMO summarizes the players’ concerns for you.
What changes are there to housing?
- With the new Patch 6.1, the housing system in Ishgard has been expanded with a lottery system.
- The traditional method no longer exists; instead, players must rely on luck to obtain a house.
- The lottery system includes all residential districts. Additionally, there are new plots in the Empyreum, the adventurer area of Ishgard.
- Players must apply for a plot and have a chance to be drawn.
- The application phase for the lottery lasts about 5 Earth days, with the results phase lasting 4 days.
The idea behind this is that every player has a fair chance to get a plot. Therefore, there should be 1440 additional slots per server.
However, there is a catch that causes frustration among players because many houses in the new districts are not accessible to regular players.
Imbalance between free companies and private buyers worries players
What is the problem? In the new residential area of FFXIV, 24 districts will be unlocked. In the first 18, only free companies can obtain their own houses.
This leaves only 6 districts available for the remaining private buyers. Thus, a large portion of the new free slots is reserved for free companies. Ultimately, only 360 slots per server remain.
These are the purchase conditions for private buyers:
- You must have reached level 50.
- You need the rank of Second Mate, Second Serpent Priest, or Second Legion Standard Bearer.
These are the purchase conditions for free companies:
- The eligibility to acquire properties.
- At least four members.
- The company must have the right “purchase/return property”.
- The guild master must have been a member of the free company for 30 days (new with Patch 6.1).
In the eyes of the players, the imbalance is far too high due to the unequal distribution. Moreover, they describe places like Spriggan, where large portions of the districts are controlled by just one person with fake accounts.
Players with a lot of Gil and several accounts have exploited the situation and have bought up many areas extensively. Some of these are being sold for real money and are even more expensive than a PS5.
Many such cases are causing players to lose interest in housing. Here are some comments on the matter:
- “Well, I guess that’s it for my dream of owning a house. It seems that my fate of not having a house is pretty much the same in the game as it is in real life.” – perhapsasinner
- “There will be many empty plots on Materia.” – Leonia42
- “They should really just offer a second row of houses that are a bit larger.” – Bid_Unable
- “I think a few apartments would be great. For example, a penthouse with a small rooftop terrace or balcony. That’s a lot of work, of course, but it would be amazing.” – CatOfTheCanalss
What is certain is that housing will likely remain a topic of discussion. Some players don’t see it as problematic and report that they have already had luck with the lottery.
However, the developer has already announced that the distribution may change in the future. It is possible that private buyers will have more opportunities to get their own house.
What do you think about it? Have you had any luck? Do you find the distribution of properties unfair as well?
Final Fantasy XIV: Update 6.1 will make life easier for solo players – Patch Notes
