Fully localized WoW launching in Brazil
Brazilian gamers will be happy to know that Blizzard has announced that a fully localized version of the World of Warcraft client, as well as localized game payment options and subscription rates, is coming to Brazil later in 2011. Brazil has grown into one of the largest video game markets in the world, despite heavy taxes on entertainment. The free-to-play market has thrived in Brazil, and Blizzard aims to grab the Brazilian market with local pricing options and support.
The new client is fully localized in Brazilian Portuguese, with Blizzard changing names, places, items, monsters, and everything in between. The monthly cost associated with playing WoW in Brazil looks like it will cost 15 Brazilian Real, or about $9.67 a month, with cheaper plans for purchasing more months in advance. This probably does not take into account the taxes that are usually levied against entertainment products in Brazil.
With the localization comes an official Brazilian Portuguese WoW community site and Portuguese customer support. A free language pack for players currently subscribed to the North American servers will be available in Portuguese as well.
Congratulations to all of the Brazilian WoW players out there who get to experience the game in their native Brazilian Portuguese. As more information comes out about the launch and the language packs, we will be sure to let you know all of the details. Until then, check out Blizzard's WoW Brazil page for more information.
An official Brazilian Portuguese World of Warcraft community website will also be available at launch.
In addition, players in Brazil will have access to customer service for the game in Brazilian Portuguese.
"One of our top priorities is ensuring that our games are easily accessible to players all around the world. By offering a fully localized version of World of Warcraft along with customer service in Brazilian Portuguese, we're able to deliver an experience that meets our standards and the expectations of our players in Brazil," said Mike Morhaime, CEO of Blizzard Entertainment. "We look forward to welcoming Brazilian gamers to the global World of Warcraft community, and we hope they have a great time in Azeroth."
World of Warcraft, which now includes the content of thefirst expansion, The Burning Crusade®, as part of the base game, will be available in stores throughout Brazil at a suggested retail price of BRL 29.90. Fully localized versions of the second and third expansions, Wrath of the Lich King™ and Cataclysm™, will also be available at a suggested retail price of BRL 99.90 each. World of Warcraft, Wrath of the Lich King, and Cataclysm will come packaged in a DVD case and will include the game media and documentation in Brazilian Portuguese.
Existing players on the North American realms will be able to download and install a free language pack to play World of Warcraft in Brazilian Portuguese. In addition, Blizzard will be creating designated Brazilian Portuguese realms as an option for players who have installed the language pack or purchased the Brazilian Portuguese game client.
Subscription plans will be available at launch at an expected price of BRL 15 (30 days), BRL 42 (90 days), and BRL 78 (180 day). Sixty-day time cards will also be available in retail stores at launch.
Players will also have the option to purchase and download full Brazilian Portuguese versions of World of Warcraft and its expansions through Blizzard's Battle.net website (http://us.battle.net/pt/), using international Visa or MasterCard, or by using various local debit cards, credit cards, cash payments, bank transfers, or eWallet options through Blizzard Entertainment's payment-gateway partner, DineroMail, for no additional fee. These payment method options include Boleto Bancario in Brazil.
Additional pricing details and an official release date for the Brazilian Portuguese version of World of Warcraft will be announced closer to launch. For more information on World of Warcraft in Brazilian Portuguese, please visit: http://us.blizzard.com/pt-br/company/events/wow-brazil.html.
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