Square Enix Announces FFXIV Collector's Edition; September Release Date

Square Enix officially announced earlier today that the they will be releasing a Final Fantasy XIV Collector's Edition for the PC version of the title. It is unknown if the PS3 version will receive a special edition at this point, but the PC Collector's Edition will contain a handful of great material including the following:

• IN-GAME ITEM – Collector’s Edition preorders will include a reward code to receive an exclusive in-game item, the Onion Helm (an exclusive in-game item which accelerates character recovery after falling in battle).
• EARLY ACCESS – Play 8 days prior to the release of the Windows PC Standard Edition (timing of access subject to initial server capacity).
• BEHIND-THE-SCENES DVD – Get an insider look at the making of FINAL FANTASY XIV, with exclusive video content, interviews and more in this special documentary DVD.
• SECURITY TOKEN – A FINAL FANTASY XIV–branded Security Token for use with your regular password.
• TRAVEL JOURNAL – Record your travels in this beautifully bound journal filled with pages of never-before-seen concept art.
• RIGHT OF PASSAGE – Redeem a voucher to receive your fully-personalized Right of Passage Certificate, each stamped with a unique serial number.
• AMANO COVER – Special PC Collector’s Edition illustration by renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano.

A release date was also announced and the release notes show that the Standard Edition will debut on September 30th while the Collector's Edition will be available on September 22nd, 2010 due to the 8-day headstart. Purchase will include 30 days of game-time but the monthly subscription will be $12.99, the same price as Final Fantasy XI. According to some details around the web it looks like the PlayStation 3 version may be releasing a few months after the PC release, so that might be the deciding factor for many interested in the title.

More details should surface, but this package is already available for pre-order with release date shipping via Amazon for $74.99.