Final Fantasy 14 Mobile introduced a change in mid-July that restricts access to the game’s market board and other trading features through a paywall, requiring players to spend a minimum amount to unlock them. The development team clarified that this measure aims to prevent real-money trading (RMT) and related illicit activities.

Final Fantasy 14 Mobile is a joint venture between Square Enix and the Tencent division, Lightspeed Studios, which leads the project. Unlike the console and PC versions, this mobile adaptation has a combat interface designed for touchscreens, simplifying roles such as Bard and White Mage.

Currently, the game remains available for free in China, with a closed beta testing phase active in Japan. Recently, updates have drawn criticism, highlighting issues in the game’s open-world design, particularly with content that references previous expansions not intended for the mobile experience. As part of anti-RMT strategies, players will find rewards for main story quests have also been reduced.

While Final Fantasy 14 Mobile continues to adjust its economic settings, it remains to be seen how long these trading restrictions will affect gameplay as the Western launch approaches.