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 recurring subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for up to six months, new and renewing subscriptions will see a price hike.
This isn't the first time WoW has adjusted its pricing. Blizzard has historically made country-specific price changes to reflect economic shifts, yet the US subscription price has remained at $14.99 since 2004.
The new pricing for Australia and New Zealand will see monthly subscriptions rise to AUD 23.95 and NZD 26.99 respectively, from AUD 19.95 and NZD 23.99. Annual subscriptions will also increase, reaching AUD 249.00 and NZD 280.68. The WoW Token will cost AUD 32.00 and NZD 36.00. Other services, such as character transfers and name changes, will also see price increases (see table below).
Revised 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 | $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 exchange rate might suggest parity with US prices, the fluctuating exchange rates have prompted mixed reactions from players. Blizzard emphasizes that the decision wasn't taken lightly, and the long-term effects remain to be seen.
