Can My Child Play on My WoW Account? Understanding Blizzard’s Rules

Yes, your child can play on your World of Warcraft (WoW) account, but with significant limitations. Blizzard Entertainment permits a parent or legal guardian to share their Battle.net account and, by extension, their WoW license with one minor child. This is the only exception to their strict no-account-sharing policy. However, it’s crucial to understand the rules and responsibilities associated with this arrangement to avoid any potential issues with your account. You cannot both use the account at the same time and are liable for your child’s actions on the account.

The Single Exception to Account Sharing

Blizzard’s stance on account sharing is clear: it is generally not allowed. The primary reason for this is to protect the registered user’s account security and maintain a fair gaming environment. Account sharing can lead to disputes, compromised security, and unfair gameplay practices. However, acknowledging that families may want to play together, Blizzard makes an exception solely for the parent/child relationship.

This exception means a parent or legal guardian can allow a single minor child to access their WoW account. This access must be under the following conditions:

• Only One Child: The sharing privilege is limited to one minor child. You cannot share your account with multiple children.
• No Simultaneous Play: You and your child cannot play on the account at the same time. If one user logs in while the other is already online, the first user will be immediately disconnected from the game.
• Parental Responsibility: The parent or guardian is fully responsible for all activities performed on the account, even if they were done by their child. This includes any violations of Blizzard’s code of conduct.

Why This Exception Exists

This exception exists to allow families to play together within the game, allowing a parent to guide a child through the game and engage in activities together. It’s also rooted in the understanding that younger players might not be able to manage their own accounts effectively. It’s a way to offer flexibility for families while maintaining overall account security and integrity. However, if you’d like to play together at the same time, you would require additional accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about sharing WoW accounts, tailored to provide clarity on Blizzard’s policies:

1. Can two people play on the same WoW account?

No, two people cannot play on the same WoW account simultaneously. The system will disconnect the first person logged in if the account is accessed from another location. The only exception is a parent or guardian with one minor child, but they also cannot play at the same time.

2. What is considered “account sharing” by Blizzard?

Account sharing is when you allow someone other than the registered owner (or the exception described above) to access or use your Battle.net account. This includes sharing passwords, logging in from different locations without authorization, or allowing friends or other family members to play on your account.

3. Can my husband or wife use my WoW account?

No, spouses are not allowed to share a WoW account. Only a parent or legal guardian can share an account with one minor child, with the above conditions noted.

4. Can I create a Battle.net account for my child?

Yes, you can create a Battle.net account for your child. However, in certain countries, children under a specific age cannot own a Battle.net account. If this is the case, the account must be registered in the name of the parent or guardian, and they will handle all aspects of the account. Note that Blizzard does not knowingly collect or store any personally identifiable information from children under 13.

5. Can I share other Battle.net games with family?

You can transfer licenses for World of Warcraft, Diablo III, Hearthstone, and StarCraft II to your child’s Battle.net account, if they have one registered in their name (or are old enough to have their own account in their jurisdiction). Other games are not transferable. If they don’t have their own account, the licenses must be purchased under the parental account.

6. What happens if my child breaks the rules on my account?

As the account holder, you are liable for all actions taken on your account, even if they are done by your child. This includes potential suspensions or bans for violations of the Code of Conduct.

7. What is the age limit for creating a Battle.net account?

Children under 13 cannot register their own account directly with Blizzard. If your child is under 13, you will need to create the account under your name or as a parental account, depending on your specific jurisdiction.

8. Can you merge multiple Battle.net accounts?

No, you cannot merge multiple Battle.net accounts. You also cannot merge copies of a game or move games from one Battle.net account to another.

9. Can I transfer a WoW character to another account?

You can transfer a character to another Battle.net account, but only if both accounts are registered under the same account holder name. You cannot transfer a character to another person’s account. This transfer is a paid service. Also, note that a character cannot be transferred between Modern WoW, WoW Classic, and Wrath of the Lich King Classic.

10. How much does it cost to transfer a WoW character to another account?

The current cost to transfer a character to another account is $25 / 20€ / £15 / ₩24,000. Please check the most recent Blizzard pricing for the service.

11. Can you gift a WoW subscription to someone else?

Yes, you can gift a WoW subscription. When purchasing, select the “Gift this subscription” option, enter your email, the recipient’s email, a message, and a delivery date. You must pay for the gift subscription.

12. How does Blizzard detect account sharing?

Blizzard can detect when your account is logged in from an unusual location. This does not necessarily mean you are sharing your account, but they monitor for unusual activities. If you regularly play from multiple locations or use a VPN, make sure you don’t violate the terms of use.

13. What are Parental Controls on a Battle.net account?

Parental Controls are designed to manage the activity of minor users. They can control in-game purchases, chat, and playtime. If you are the parent or guardian of the account holder, you can disable these controls through the Parental Portal, or contact Blizzard support to fully remove parental controls. Note that parental controls are automatically enabled for minor accounts and are removed when the account reaches the age of majority.

14. Can I sell or trade my WoW account?

No, selling, trading, or gifting a WoW account is strictly prohibited by Blizzard. The person who registered the account is considered the owner and can reclaim the account at any time.

15. What are the consequences of breaking the account sharing rules?

Violating Blizzard’s account sharing rules can result in account suspension or a permanent ban. Always ensure that you follow the rules to protect your account and your access to Blizzard services.

Conclusion

While the flexibility to allow a minor child to play on your WoW account is a welcome exception, it comes with responsibilities. Remember, you are ultimately responsible for all activities conducted on the account. Understanding and adhering to Blizzard’s rules will help you enjoy the game with your child safely and without risking your access to the game. If you have further questions, always consult the official Blizzard support website for up-to-date information.