World of Warcraft Price Hikes Hit Australia and New Zealand
Effective February 7th, Blizzard Entertainment will increase the cost of all World of Warcraft in-game transactions for players in Australia and New Zealand. This adjustment, attributed to global and regional market fluctuations, affects everything from monthly subscriptions to in-game purchases like WoW Tokens.
While players with active recurring subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for up to six months, new and renewing subscribers will see price increases. The monthly subscription in Australia will rise from AUD 19.95 to AUD 23.95, and in New Zealand from NZD 23.99 to NZD 26.99. Annual subscriptions and WoW Tokens will also see corresponding increases.
This isn't Blizzard's first price adjustment. The company cites global economic pressures and varying market conditions as the rationale. Interestingly, the US monthly subscription price of $14.99 has remained unchanged since 2004.
The new pricing structure, detailed below, shows a noticeable increase across the board for Australian and New Zealand players. At current exchange rates, the price increases would roughly align with the US pricing, although currency fluctuations could impact this in the future.
Revised World of Warcraft Service Prices (AUD & NZD - 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 (WoW Token Redeem) | $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 |
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from the WoW community, with some criticizing the short notice and others acknowledging the potential for alignment with US prices. Blizzard maintains that the decision was not taken lightly and that player feedback is considered in pricing decisions. The long-term impact of these price adjustments remains to be seen.
