World of Warcraft to Raise 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, attributed to global and regional market fluctuations, affects various services including monthly subscriptions and WoW Tokens.
While the US has maintained a consistent $14.99 monthly subscription fee since 2004, Australian and New Zealand players will see price hikes. Current monthly subscriptions of $19.95 AUD and $23.99 NZD will rise to $23.95 AUD and $26.99 NZD respectively. Annual subscriptions will also increase, capping at $249.00 AUD and $280.68 NZD. The WoW Token will cost $32.00 AUD and $36.00 NZD.
Blizzard assures players with active recurring subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for up to six months. The company emphasizes that this decision wasn't taken lightly, citing rising costs and market conditions as contributing factors.
The updated pricing structure is detailed below:
New 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 for WoW Token Redemption | $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 current exchange rates might temporarily align the new prices with US rates, the fluctuating value of the Australian and New Zealand dollars remains a factor. Player reactions have been mixed, with some expressing criticism while others see it as a necessary adjustment to market realities. The long-term impact of this price increase remains to be seen.
