Square Enix Introduces Crysta Currency With FFXIV Launch

With the launch of Final Fantasy XIV for PCs today, Square Enix has announced a new Crysta payment system for the MMORPG's subscriptions and security tokens for Western territories. European and North American gamers with Square Enix accounts, which allow members to purchase Square Enix online content and services, can now buy Crysta virtual currency in blocks of $5/€5, $10/€10, $20/€20, $30/€30, $50/€50, and $100/€100 -- $1/€1 translates into 100 Crysta. Consumers can purchase Crysta online using a credit card, a debit card, a ClickandBuy online payments account, or PlaySpan's UltimatePay digital wallet service. Square Enix says it will place a cap on the number of Crysta users can hold int heir account at any one time. Final Fantasy XIV players can use Crysta to pay for their subscriptions and/or special devices that generate one-time passwords for more secure account logins. Square Enix intends to reveal new services, titles, and additional territories for Crysta in future announcements. The publisher notes that in addition to providing access to Final Fantasy XIV, the Square Enix Members site, and its PlayOnline online gaming service, its Square Enix accounts will also be used for all future Square Enix online content and services. "With Crysta, Square Enix continues our dedication to protecting and serving our customers," says Square Enix CEO and president Mike Fischer. "We're extremely pleased to be offering this new service in conjunction with the launch of Final Fantasy XIV, offering fans a secure and simple method to manage their subscriptions."