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 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. However, the US monthly subscription price has remained at $14.99 since 2004.
The price increases for Australia and New Zealand will see the monthly subscription rise from AUD $19.95 to AUD $23.95 and from NZD $23.99 to NZD $26.99. Annual subscriptions will also increase, capping at AUD $249.00 and NZD $280.68 respectively. The WoW Token will increase to AUD $32.00 and NZD $36.00. Other services like character transfers, name changes, and boosts will also see price increases (see detailed pricing below).
While the current USD to AUD exchange rate might suggest parity with US pricing post-increase, the fluctuating exchange rates remain a factor. This price adjustment has drawn mixed reactions from players, with some criticizing the move while others see it as aligning Australian and New Zealand prices with the US dollar in the short term.
Blizzard emphasizes that this decision wasn't taken lightly and acknowledges the impact on players. The long-term effects of this price change remain 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 (WoW Token) | $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 |
