World of Warcraft Price Hikes for Australian and New Zealand Players
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 adjustment, attributed to global and regional market fluctuations, impacts various services, including subscriptions and 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 regions to reflect economic shifts. Notably, the US monthly subscription price has remained at $14.99 since 2004.
The price increases for Australia and New Zealand are as follows: the monthly subscription 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. Other services, including character transfers, name changes, and in-game purchases, will also see price increases (see detailed pricing table below).
While the current USD to AUD exchange rate suggests a near parity with US pricing post-increase, the fluctuating exchange rates are a key factor in Blizzard's decision. This announcement has drawn mixed reactions from the WoW community, with some criticizing the move and others viewing it as a necessary alignment with US pricing.
Blizzard emphasizes that the decision wasn't taken lightly and that player feedback has historically influenced pricing decisions. The long-term impact of these price adjustments remains to be seen.
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 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 |
