Is Data Center Travel the Best Choice for Final Fantasy XIV Players?

Should You Consider Using Data Center Travel in Final Fantasy XIV?

When Square Enix discussed the congestion in FFXIV following the launch of Dawntrail, it also frequently mentions using the Data Center Travel system to go to Dynamis. This is the newest North American Data Center, which also happened to have new Worlds open ahead of Dawntrail. However, you may be wondering if it is something you should consider. While it might make it easier for you to play at the expansions launch and during a congested time, there are a number of restrictions to consider.

It all comes down to congestion issues. Since Dawntrail early access started on June 28, 2024, FFXIV has been swamped. If you check the Server Status on the Lodestone, the North American Data Centers Aether, Crystal, and Primals world have all appeared as congested. People also havent been able to create new characters there.

Now, this isnt the case for Dynamis. Since it is the newest Data Center for North America and has new worlds, none of them are experiencing that same traffic issue. Cuchulainn, Golem, Halicarnassus, Kraken, Maduin, Marilith, Rafflesia, and Seraph have all been showing as uncongested during the launch. Each one also shows as being able to have new characters created there.

There are honestly quite a few restrictions put onto visitors who use the Data Center Travel System. The more major ones affect things like Crystalline Conflict, Eternal Bonds, Fellowships, Free Companies, Gold Saucer Tournaments, Housing, Linkshells, Markets, Moogle Delivery Service, PvP Teams, Retainers, and the Miner and Botanist gathering nodes. Square Enix goes through a whole list of them when it explains how to use the feature.

I think if you are absolutely, positively, completely desperate to play FFXIV and Dawntrail immediately, as soon as possible, it is something to consider. But only if you accept you will lose access to all the items that are restricted. Especially since, given congestion, it might be a bit to get home again.

Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Dawntrail expansion launches on July 2, 2024.