World of Warcraft players in Argentina have been hit with the staggering news of a substantial increase in subscription prices. Blizzard, the developer and publisher of World of Warcraft, has announced significant price hikes for its services in the region. The change will take effect within the next 30 days, marking a drastic shift for players accustomed to previous pricing structures.
As per the announcement by Blizzard (found by WoWHead), players in Argentina will no longer have the option to purchase Blizzard products using their local currency. Instead, they will be required to conduct transactions in United States Dollars (USD), a change stemming from the current economic conditions in Argentina. The country’s economic situation has seen significant volatility and uncertainty, leading to a scenario where the official exchange rate has drastically increased over a relatively short period.
In March 2021, the exchange rate for 1 US Dollar equated to over 91 Pesos, whereas the current exchange stands at around 840 pesos for one US Dollar. When factoring in the 60% tax on foreign currency exchange for online purchases made with credit cards, the exchange rate inflates to approximately 1350 Pesos for one US Dollar.
This change has substantial implications for the pricing of World of Warcraft subscriptions in Argentina. Using the example of a six-month subscription, the new pricing adjustments represent a colossal increase of 1735% over three years. This substantial surge translates to a 25% rise in the subscription cost, even when considering the tax-inflated exchange rate.
As a result of these alterations, Blizzard’s profits in Argentina will no longer be subject to currency exchange fluctuation. This makes sure the company doesn’t take the brunt of the exchange rates. With the upcoming pricing changes, it is anticipated that players may witness an increase of 236% in the price of a six-month subscription over the next three years, accounting for exchange inflation.
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