World of Warcraft to Raise Prices in 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 price adjustment reflects current global and regional market conditions.
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 time WoW has adjusted pricing. While Blizzard has historically maintained a consistent $14.99 USD monthly subscription fee in the US since 2004, adjustments in other regions are made in response to fluctuating global economic factors and rising costs.
The price hikes for Australian and New Zealand players will see monthly subscriptions increase from AUD $19.95 to AUD $23.95 and from NZD $23.99 to NZD $26.99 respectively. Annual subscriptions will also see a corresponding increase, capping at AUD $249.00 and NZD $280.68. The WoW Token will increase to AUD $32.00 and NZD $36.00.
New World of Warcraft Pricing (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 price increases, based on current exchange rates, roughly align with US pricing, the fluctuating exchange rates between currencies have led to some player criticism. Blizzard emphasizes that these changes were carefully considered and weren't made lightly, but the long-term impact remains to be seen.
