You can win an incredible Final Fantasy 14 Xbox Series X - but it doesn’t actually work
Don’t worry, you also get a second console to play games
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Microsoftis currently running a sweepstake competition for an absolutely stunningFinal Fantasy 14-inspired console bundle that features an attractiveXbox Series Xand customXbox Wireless Controller- but there’s a massive catch.
Buried in the competition’s lengthyterms and conditions, eagle-eyed entrants have spotted that the console bundle in question isn’t actually functional at all. In the section outlining prize details, the “custom-designedFinal Fantasy14Xbox Series X console bundle” is described as entirely “non-functional” and “to be used as an art piece” rather than playing games.
Bizarrely, the winner will also receive a separate Xbox Series X console bundle - presumably one that works. This comes alongside a copy of theFinal Fantasy 14 Online Collector’s Editionand one 12-monthXbox Game Pass Ultimatemembership so they’ll have no shortage of games to play. In total, Microsoft estimates that the combined retail value of the prize is $1,319.93 USD.
This inevitably raises the question of what exactly the winner is supposed to do with their non-functionalFinal Fantasy 14Xbox Series X. Perhaps it’s meant to sit and collect dust on a shelf in their gaming cave, or maybe take pride of place on a nice plinth in their living room.
Either way, while this revelation is undeniably a little disappointing, it does make some sense. Judging by the more abstract design of the console, which features a custom golden base and a bed of glowing blue crystals, it would have probably been tricky to pull off the same effect while maintaining the system’s full functionality.
Still, I’m left wondering whether the custom Xbox Wireless Controller, which looks fairly standard aside from a unique graphic print on its face plate, is also just a prop.
If you want to take a shot at winning this strange prize, the competition is currently running overat Twitter / X. Users can enter by following both the official Xbox andFinal Fantasy 14accounts and reposting the original announcement post with the hashtag ‘XboxFFXIVSweepstakes’.
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For more on console gaming hardware, see our guides to thebest Xbox controllersor thebest Xbox Series X and Series S accessories.
Dash is a technology journalist who covers gaming hardware at TechRadar. Before joining the TechRadar team, he was writing gaming articles for some of the UK’s biggest magazines including PLAY, Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX. Now, when he’s not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.
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