What happens to Battle.net game library when the owner dies
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. game library are forfeited under the program's terms when the account is closed
Blizzard Support
Blizzard Support (deceased account holder / account holder name update)
Blizzard does not publish a timeline. Requests involving a deceased account holder are handled case by case through a support ticket, and whether any access is granted is at Blizzard's discretion.
When a Battle.net account holder dies, game library are forfeited under Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.'s terms. The account balance has no transferable value, and there is no formal process for heirs to claim game library.
Some families have reported receiving accommodations from Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. customer service, though this is not part of the official policy.
What to do
If a Battle.net account holder has passed away, here is what to do:
- •A copy of the death certificate
- •Documentation showing your legal standing to act for the estate (for example, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration)
- •The account holder's email address or Battle.net login on file, and any account details you can identify (such as game names or BattleTag)
Required Documents
- Death certificate of the account holder
- Documentation of your legal standing to act for the estate (for example, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration)
- The account holder's email address or Battle.net login on file, plus any identifying account details (game names, BattleTag)
Timeline
Blizzard does not publish a timeline. Requests involving a deceased account holder are handled case by case through a support ticket, and whether any access is granted is at Blizzard's discretion.
Frequently asked questions
Under Blizzard's terms the account and its game licenses are non-transferable and revocable, so they do not automatically pass to anyone. In practice the account is forfeited unless a relative successfully requests access through Blizzard Support's case-by-case process. In-game progress and currency stay tied to the licensed account and are not separately inheritable.
Open a ticket with Blizzard Support and request handling of a deceased account holder's account, referencing the "Updating the Battle.net Account Holder Name" support article. Blizzard requires supporting documentation, such as a death certificate, and reviews each request case by case. It is not an automatic process and the outcome is at Blizzard's discretion.
Blizzard asks for supporting documentation such as a death certificate, along with information identifying the account (the holder's email or login on file). Bring documentation of your legal standing to act for the estate, such as Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Blizzard's guidance is to submit a recognizable copy and to show only the information relevant to the request, such as name, address, and date of birth.
There is no published route to it. Section 1.D.i.ii of Blizzard's EULA states Battle.net Balance "is non-transferable to another person or Account, does not accrue interest, is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and, unless otherwise required by law or permitted by this Agreement, is not redeemable or refundable for any sum of money." Blizzard documents no process for cashing a deceased holder's balance out to an estate. An estate can still ask -- the request costs nothing and Blizzard decides at its discretion -- but should treat any remaining balance as forfeited rather than counting on it.
No. In-game currency (such as World of Warcraft gold), characters, and items are tied to the licensed account and, under Blizzard's terms, are not owned property and are not separately transferable or redeemable for money. They cannot be cashed out or moved to another person. If a relative is granted access to the account through Blizzard's discretionary process, they can continue using the characters and items in-game, but there is no mechanism to convert them to cash for the estate.
Because game library are forfeited at death, lifetime use is the only reliable strategy. Redeeming or sharing Battle.net game library while the account holder is alive ensures their value is not lost.
Sources
Data sourced from Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Blizzard Support
Blizzard Support (deceased account holder / account holder name update)
Blizzard does not publish a timeline. Requests involving a deceased account holder are handled case by case through a support ticket, and whether any access is granted is at Blizzard's discretion.
