World of Warcraft to Hike Prices in Australia and New Zealand
Starting February 7th, Blizzard Entertainment will increase the cost of all World of Warcraft in-game transactions for players in Australia and New Zealand. This price adjustment affects various services, including subscriptions and in-game purchases.
The announcement, made on January 7th, cites global and regional market conditions as the reason for the increase. While players with active subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for up to six months, new subscribers and those renewing after that period will see higher prices.
This isn't the first time WoW has adjusted its pricing. Blizzard has historically made country-specific price changes in response to economic fluctuations. However, the US monthly subscription price has remained at $14.99 since 2004, a stark contrast to the upcoming changes in Australia and New Zealand.
The new prices, effective February 7th, will see the monthly subscription rise from AUD $19.95 to AUD $23.95 and from NZD $23.99 to NZD $26.99. Annual subscriptions will also increase. The WoW Token will jump to AUD $32.00 and NZD $36.00. Other services like character transfers, name changes, and boosts will also see price increases. A detailed breakdown of the new pricing is provided below:
New World of Warcraft Service Prices (Australia & New Zealand - Effective February 7th)
| Service | Australian Dollar (AUD) | New Zealand Dollar (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Month Recurring Subscription | $249.00 | $280.68 |
| 6-Month Recurring Subscription | $124.50 | $140.34 |
| 3-Month Recurring Subscription | $67.05 | $75.57 |
| 1-Month Recurring Subscription | $23.95 | $26.99 |
| WoW Token | $32.00 | $36.00 |
| Blizzard Balance for WoW Token Redemption | $24.00 | $27.00 |
| Name Change | $16.00 | $18.00 |
| Race Change | $40.00 | $45.00 |
| Character Transfer | $40.00 | $45.00 |
| Faction Change | $48.00 | $54.00 |
| Pets | $16.00 | $18.00 |
| Mounts | $40.00 | $45.00 |
| Guild Transfer & Faction Change | $56.00 | $63.00 |
| Guild Name Change | $32.00 | $36.00 |
| Character Boost | $96.00 | $108.00 |
While the current USD to AUD conversion rate suggests a slight USD discount, the fluctuating exchange rates are a key factor in Blizzard's decision. The price changes have sparked mixed reactions from the player base, with some criticizing the move while others see it as aligning prices with the US market in the short term. Blizzard emphasized that the decision wasn't taken lightly and acknowledged player feedback in past pricing decisions. The long-term impact of this price increase remains to be seen.
