FFXIV's free trial period extended by a month due to "current state of the game"

Ever had the distinct displeasure of discovering a fly in your soup? Now imagine if you plunked down your hard-earned cash only to find a whole mess of bugs backstroking around in your alphabets.

Or, you know, just imagine purchasing Final Fantasy XIV.

"For those who purchased the collector’s edition and began to play one week before official service began, the month-long free play period is drawing to a close. Considering the nature of much of the feedback we received, however, and the current state of the game, we have decided to extend the free trial period for all users," wrote Square Enix.

"Current state of the game," of course, is a gentle way of referring to multiple broken quests, an interface that could charitably be described as a warcrime punishable to the fullest extent of the law, constant lack of direction, and ever-irksome lag.

Don't think, however, that Square Enix has completely lost its marbles. The free trial extension - which gives all players another 30 days before they have to start decapitating piggy banks and digging through couch cushions - will hopefully buy the publisher some time while it gives the game an overhaul, the first part of which is scheduled to go live in late November.

Releasing such a broken game in the first place was bad form on Square Enix's part, no doubt, but at least it's trying to pick up the pieces. That's not quite an "apology accepted" from us, mind you, but the game does have potential. Hopefully, this time around, Square Enix can do it justice.