Even if the US does, it won’t increase Australian prices, because tariffs don’t do that.
Hell, since Blizzard Entertainment and Microsoft are both US companies, even if the current US administration did put a tariff on digital goods and services, US prices wouldn’t even increase as none of Blizzard’s services come from other countries.
If that was directed at me, how did you deduce I ‘knew the answer already’ ? Divine inspiration or simply Keyboard Warrior behavior?
If US video games cost more in your country, it’s because you tariff the US.
While exchange rates, local taxes, and tariffs or other duties can affect it, Blizzard sets the prices for international markets (except China).
Yep. If the cost to develop the game would increase, which is entirely possible in this current climate, they would have to make up the difference somewhere. Chances are it would be other countries where they can get away with it a bit easier.
Thank you to everyone who answered, I appreciate your thoughts on the matter.
ssshhhh DO NOT bring up how other countries have had high as hell tariffs on U.S. imports for years and the current administration is just leveling the playing field.
Who gives a crap if other countries have higher tariffs on US goods. Is it effecting you personally or your personal buying power?
It keeps a nations debt high and growing, which affects everything economy related.
edit- but do not skip over the fact that there’s nothing wrong about wanting a level playing field…is there?
There’s nothing level about any playing field right now and there won’t be any hope of it unless this ends.
All the highest economy counties in the world have massive dept. Who cares about the level playing field? Are you one of the personally effected people? Do you really care that much about putting more money into the ultra wealthy pockets?
Which won’t happen until the playing field is more level. It should have been done years ago but too many side deals have prevented it sadly
You are one of us peasants digging ditches. Stop parroting crap for the wealthy. Go log back in and finish your spreadsheet chores for the day.
The US economy was doing better than the rest of the world post Covid before a certain lunatic entered office. He was handed a stable, functional (though not entirely perfect) economy, and in a few short weeks he destroyed it. He didn’t even try to take credit for what someone else did like he did last time. He took a wrecking ball to it instead. The rest of the world is reeling from this as well. How does that help?
Anyone living in the U.S. is affected by it, well those not living on welfare. In The U.S. you get punished for being a productive member of society and rewarded for being a drain. Such is life.
Yes, any time there’s a change in tax locally, alway raise the price and people will assume it’s the taxes.
That is a very short-sighted view, nothing economy related is resolved in a ‘few short weeks’ but if you look at all the moving parts you will see a potentially strong rebound in the works. Outside investment for The U.S. is strong and the tariff issue is there hopefully to curb the drugs entering The U.S. from Mexico and Canada. Outside of all that, I do not see an issue with raising tariffs on countries that have insane tariffs on U.S. imports. Take a step back and try to forget your hatred of “a certain lunatic” for a moment and see the big picture with unbiased eyes.
Just the threat of tariffs has already caused the U.S. dollar to fall. A cheaper dollar should hypothetically make U.S. good and services cheaper in other countries, but as others have noted, Blizz sets foreign prices in local currency. They could simply leave prices the same, and make more profit in foreign markets.
every government of every country will always screw over it’s citizens. Some worse than others is all, it’s always the lesser of the evils humans have to choose from.
The cost of hardware will go up, which could affect software and subscription prices. Will it? Unknown. Could it? Yes, of course.