Gifting the Blizzard Universe: A Comprehensive Guide
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The world of Blizzard Entertainment, teeming with iconic characters and captivating universes, offers a treasure trove of gift options for the gamer in your life. Whether it’s diving into the latest World of Warcraft expansion, stocking up on Hearthstone card packs, or gifting Battle.net Balance, knowing how to navigate the gifting process is key.
To gift a Blizzard product, simply select the desired item in the Battle.net Shop and click the “Gift” button instead of “Buy Now.” From there, you’ll be prompted to enter your friend’s BattleTag or email address, depending on the gift type. Once the purchase is complete and processed, your friend will receive an email with instructions on how to claim their gift.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Gifting on Battle.net
Let’s delve into some of the most common questions surrounding gifting Blizzard products, ensuring a smooth and successful gifting experience.
1. Why can’t I gift a game to my friend?
This usually stems from cross-platform limitations. Gifting is restricted within platforms. You can’t buy a gift in the Battle.net Shop for a friend who plays on console, and vice versa. If your friend plays on a console (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo), you must gift through the console’s store, and only to friends on the same platform. Additionally, ensure the item is actually giftable. Some items, especially limited-time promotions, might not be eligible.
2. Can I gift the latest World of Warcraft expansion?
Absolutely! Gifting the newest World of Warcraft expansion is a popular option. Be aware of any promotional periods associated with it. For example, in the past, gifted copies of the Dragonflight expansion had a limited time for the recipient to claim the additional 30 Days of Game Time included with it. Ensure your friend claims the gift promptly to take full advantage of any bonus offers.
3. How do I gift a World of Warcraft subscription?
While you cannot gift a recurring World of Warcraft subscription directly, there are alternative solutions. You can purchase 60 days of game time through the Game Time purchase page and select “Gift” instead of “Buy Now”. Alternatively, you can gift your friend Battle.net Balance, which they can then use to purchase game time themselves.
4. How long does it take for Blizzard to process a gift?
Typically, gifts purchased in the Battle.net Shop are sent once the payment is processed and the order status is marked as “Complete.” This process can take up to 48 hours. If your friend hasn’t received an email, double-check that you sent the gift to the correct email address or BattleTag. Also, advise your friend to review their email filters and spam folder to ensure the email wasn’t mistakenly flagged.
5. How do I see my sent gifts in Blizzard Battle.net?
Unfortunately, Blizzard does not provide a dedicated section in the Battle.net application or website to track your gifted purchases. However, you can usually find details of your purchases, including gifted items, in your Battle.net transaction history. Accessing your transaction history will allow you to confirm the recipient and the details of what you’ve gifted.
6. Can I gift Battle.net Balance?
Yes, you can! Gifting Battle.net Balance is a great way to allow your friend to choose what they want from the Blizzard store. It’s not possible to directly transfer balance from one Battle.net account to another. Instead, you buy Battle.net Balance as a gift. Once the purchase has been processed, the recipient will receive an email within 72 hours with instructions on how to redeem the gift.
7. Can I buy a World of Warcraft subscription with Blizzard Balance?
Yes, you can use Battle.net Balance to purchase digital game time for World of Warcraft. While you can’t pay for a recurring subscription with Battle.net Balance, you can purchase non-recurring blocks of game time. This game time works similarly to prepaid game cards, and it can also be gifted.
8. Do I need to buy the latest expansion and a subscription to play World of Warcraft?
When starting World of Warcraft, a subscription or game time purchase gives you access to all previous expansions up to level 60. If you want to access the newest content (levels 60-70), you need to purchase the latest expansion. World of Warcraft is not sold separately, only the most recent expansion.
9. How do I claim a gifted game on Blizzard?
If you received a gift notification email, follow the link in the email to claim your gift. If you’re having trouble claiming your gift through the email, log into the Battle.net App and click the gift icon (usually a wrapped present) to claim your item. If you still can’t claim it, make sure you don’t already own the product you’re trying to claim. The system won’t let you claim duplicates.
10. Can I share games across Blizzard accounts?
Blizzard offers a limited service to assist parents in moving specific games from their Battle.net account to their child’s Battle.net account. This service is only available for World of Warcraft, Diablo III, Hearthstone, and StarCraft II accounts. Other games are not transferable.
11. Do gifts expire on Blizzard?
No, your Blizzard US Gift Card will never expire! Once purchased and redeemed, the Battle.net Balance does not have an expiration date. This offers flexibility to the recipient, allowing them to use the balance at their convenience.
12. Can I transfer World of Warcraft accounts or characters?
The Character Transfer service allows you to move characters to other realms, different World of Warcraft accounts, or from one Battle.net account to another. To transfer a character to another Battle.net account, both accounts must be registered under the same account holder name. Blizzard strictly prohibits account sharing, gifting, selling, or trading accounts in any way.
13. Can I share my Blizzard account with my spouse or child?
Blizzard’s Terms of Use explicitly state that you may not share your account or password with anyone, except if you are a parent or guardian, in which case you may permit one minor child to use your account. However, you cannot use the account simultaneously, and you are liable for all activities conducted by the minor child. Account sharing outside of this parent/child relationship is a violation of the terms and could result in penalties. You can learn more about the importance of game design in education and responsible gaming practices at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
14. Does Blizzard have gift cards, and what kind do they accept?
Yes, Blizzard offers Battle.net Gift Cards, typically available in denominations like $20. These cards can be found at many retailers. The Blizzard Shop also accepts pre-paid credit cards, such as MasterCard or Visa gift cards. If you encounter issues with pre-paid cards, ensure the card has been registered correctly by following the instructions on the back of the card.
15. Why does Blizzard sometimes place a temporary, small charge on my card?
When making a digital purchase using a credit card, a minor charge in your local currency may be applied to ensure the card is valid and has sufficient funds. This charge is temporary and will generally be cancelled within 24 hours. It’s a standard security measure used by many online retailers.
Gifting a Blizzard product is a fantastic way to share the joy of gaming with friends and loved ones. By understanding the gifting process, platform limitations, and available options, you can ensure a seamless and enjoyable gifting experience for both you and the recipient. Remember to always adhere to Blizzard’s terms of service and prioritize ethical gaming practices.