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 price 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 a price increase. 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 Token prices will also see corresponding increases.
This isn't the first time Blizzard has adjusted WoW pricing globally to reflect economic shifts. However, the US monthly subscription price has remained unchanged at $14.99 since 2004. The current price adjustments in Australia and New Zealand, while initially seemingly aligning with US prices after currency conversion, are subject to ongoing exchange rate volatility.
The price changes have sparked mixed reactions from the WoW community. Some players expressed criticism, while others argued the new pricing better reflects the US dollar equivalent. Blizzard maintains that the decision wasn't taken lightly and that they considered player feedback. The long-term impact of these price changes remains to be seen.
New World of Warcraft Pricing (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 |
Blizzard emphasizes that the decision to adjust prices was carefully considered, but the long-term consequences for player retention and engagement in Australia and New Zealand are yet to be determined.
