Since September 23, Battle.net no longer displays game prices in rubles for players in Russia and Belarus. Instead, prices are now shown in euros. While euros first appeared for new titles in July, older games could still be purchased with rubles until this latest adjustment. The shift affects the ease of buying across Blizzard’s catalog, and it marks a clearer move toward euro pricing for the region. For users in Canada and the United States, this serves as a case study in how digital storefronts can align regional pricing with local currencies, especially in response to regulatory or economic changes.
Titles like Diablo III and Diablo Immortal have dropped ruble price tags, but StarCraft II retained ruble pricing. There remains no ability to complete purchases using rubles in the general storefront, and in-game shops such as World of Warcraft show no items available for direct purchase with the old currency. The transition highlights how currency support can vary not only by title but also by platform integration within the same account ecosystem.
Additionally, Russian and Belarusian users in World of Warcraft can no longer fund the Battle.net wallet or replenish it via the WoW Token. They still have the option to trade goods with other players or through third-party marketplaces, which mirrors broader shifts in how in-game economies are managed when regional restrictions are tightened. Such changes influence how players manage subscriptions, in-game currencies, and item acquisitions across Blizzard titles.
Earlier in the year, Blizzard disclosed limits on sales in Russia and Belarus as part of sanctions. Following those announcements, the company paused access for some titles in beta testing, including Overwatch 2, as it reviewed compliance and regional availability. The subsequent actions reflect ongoing policy decisions that affect player participation, digital purchases, and the continuity of game services in affected areas. The broader message is that regional availability can evolve rapidly in response to geopolitical and regulatory developments.
For players and observers across North America, the situation underscores how global publishers must balance regional compliance with customer expectations. It also demonstrates how currency changes interact with wallet systems, in-game economies, and cross-title purchasing in a way that can ripple through community events, esports participation, and ongoing player engagement. While the exact mechanics may differ by game, the core impact—adjusted pricing, restricted wallet operations, and selective storefront availability—offers a practical model for understanding regional digital economics in large-scale online ecosystems.