World of Warcraft Price Hikes Hit Australia and New Zealand
Effective February 7th, Blizzard Entertainment will implement price increases for all World of Warcraft in-game transactions in Australia and New Zealand. This adjustment, attributed to global and regional market fluctuations, affects subscriptions and various in-game purchases.
Players with active recurring subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for a grace period of up to six months. This isn't the first price alteration for WoW; Blizzard has historically adjusted pricing in various countries to reflect economic shifts. However, the US monthly subscription price has remained at $14.99 since 2004.
The price increases for Australia and New Zealand are as follows: monthly subscriptions will rise from AUD $19.95 to AUD $23.95 and from NZD $23.99 to NZD $26.99. Annual subscriptions will cap at AUD $249.00 and NZD $280.68 respectively. The WoW Token will increase to AUD $32.00 and NZD $36.00. Further price adjustments apply to various services, including character changes, transfers, and in-game purchases (see detailed pricing table below).
New 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 for WoW Token | $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 this decision wasn't taken lightly, and the long-term impact remains to be seen.
