It’s currently 2024, the game is currently approaching its 20th anniversary in November.
However why is WoW currently the ONLY Blizzard game that still requires a separate game/expansion purchase AND a separate subscription purchase to switch between regions?
I fully understand that things will not transfer between servers, since they are hosted on completely different data centers and whatnot.
But why are players not allowed to switch freely between playing on the European region and the American region?
None of the other games do this.
If I purchase Overwatch or Diablo I can choose and switch as I like between playing on the European or American region as I wish. You don’t need to purchase an additional copy of the game in order to play on a different region.
But if I as a European player want to play with my American friends on their server (or vice versa), we are required to pay for a completely separate subscription, as well as purchase the expansions again even if we already own them.
There is no reason for this to occur other than Blizzard being content on doubling up on players wanting to play both regions.
I also understand that prices and taxes are different between America and Europe. But why this is ONLY an issue because you are separating them as two compeltely different purchases.
If I have a running subscription and have purchased the expansions, I should be able to play on the American region if I so wish to.
This system they still have is so insanely outdated, and they have refused to change it since its creation.
While it applies to different region gameplay, it also applies to same region gaming as if you want to have additional game licenses active you will need to buy seperate expansions and concurring active gametimes for each and every of them also known as “multiboxing” if you would play at them at the same time - so it would make no difference sadge.
It is speculated to be legal/privacy issues because of how WoW is structured but nothing is concretely given as statement.
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See but that’s the point. None of their other games do this.
I have purchased Diablo 3 and its expansions and can play on whichever region I want.
I have purchased Diablo 4 and can play on any region I want.
I have purchased Overwatch and can play on any region I want.
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That is certainly true, it must have something to do with subscriptions as D3/4 are box games and OW2 is nowadays F2P with pass.
Regardless, why would they want to change it? It makes no sense to put the development cost to it when people just keep buying and buying.
Some people go as far as to buy for multiple accounts for multiple regions just feeding more into the corporate greed instead of quality of life.
Final Fantasy also has a subscription and expansion model
Blizzard would have to find that money from elsewhere. I don’t really fancy the season passes, more store items, things gated behind purchase options etc.
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There is another option opposite to
season passes, more store items, things gated behind purchase options etc.
I heard rumors, that some companies just make really good games, which are enjoyable by a lot of people and this is quite profitable to make good games, so you don’t need season passes, more store items, things gated behind purchase options etc. anymore… You know, like games with engaging story, fun and polished gameplay without bugs, perfectly balanced progression which is fun for both new and experienced players…
But this could be just a legend of old times, so not 100% sure about this rumor.
The opposite is probably going to be the outcome.
Over the years Blizzard have basically cultivated an audience of WoW players that have relatively high disposable incomes, in part because we are mostly adults with jobs and not kids or teenagers without. And we have repeatedly shown that our strong investment in the game also translates to a strong willingness to spend a lot of money on it.
So Blizzard have no incentive to scale back old and archaic business venues, like the subscription or services, because we’re not very critical consumers. Instead there’s incentive to add more to the mix, because why only get some of that disposable income when you can get even more?!
WoW players are the equivalent of people shopping in Gucci stores.
If you had written this a year ago you would assess today that this is exactly what you have gotten.
The subscription hasn’t halted this trend at all.
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I havent played FF but does it also lock you into only playing on EU-region or can you freely play in other regions aswell?
I agree with you OP, as long as you have an active subscription and purchased the expansion you should be able to toggle region you wanna play on without having to buy a separate expansion and another sub on top of what you already have.
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Final Fantasy allows you to play on any region and server you wish. You can even transfer your characters between regions.
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Because it still works. people are addicted and invested too much time
What is a season pass in current World of Warcraft?
I have no idea I never lasted more than a month at FF
The Trading Post.
It comes with new rewards every month and it costs the subscription fee every month to access it.
Blizzard just don’t call it a Season Pass or a Battle Pass or present it as such because they’re smart.
But that is what it is. Functionally it works the same and design-wise it exists for the same purpose.
To me a battle pass is a bit different but I can see where you are coming from.
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Sure. To me – as a player – it is as well.
I definitely experience my Seasonal Diablo IV Battle Pass differently from my monthly Traveler’s Log in WoW. Which is good. Different designs for different games.
But for Blizzard it’s all the same. They’re both constructs that require payment (directly or indirectly), drive participation, and provide cosmetic rewards that act as advertisement for others.
Hearthstone and Overwatch 2 have their flavor of these as well. They look different, but they’re essentially all the same.
Was just wondering since you brought up FF, thought it might be relevant to what OP was asking for (not having to buy another expansion and new sub to be able to play in US region).
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My reply was to the no other game does this tbh.
I would at least like the ability to partake in US forum discussions. They should be merged imo.
To answer your FF question, no it does not.
I play on NA using my EU account.
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