World of Warcraft Price Hikes for Australian and New Zealand Players
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 various services including monthly subscriptions and WoW Tokens.
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 adjustment for WoW; Blizzard has historically modified pricing in various countries to reflect economic changes. However, the US monthly subscription price has remained at $14.99 since 2004.
The price increases for Australia and New Zealand will be as follows:
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 | $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. Some view the increase as aligning prices with the US market, while others criticize the short notice and the impact on players. Blizzard maintains that the decision wasn't taken lightly and that player feedback is considered. The long-term effects of this price adjustment remain to be seen.
