World of Warcraft to Hike Prices in Australia and New Zealand
Starting February 7th, World of Warcraft players in Australia and New Zealand will see increased prices across all in-game transactions. This price adjustment, announced by Blizzard on January 7th, cites global and regional market conditions as the driving factor.
While this isn't the first price increase for WoW services, the news has sparked discussion among players. The move follows similar adjustments in other regions, reflecting broader economic pressures affecting global goods pricing. Notably, the US monthly subscription price has remained unchanged at $14.99 since 2004.
The price hikes will affect various services, including subscriptions and WoW Tokens. For example, the monthly subscription will increase to AUD 23.95 (from AUD 19.95) and NZD 26.99 (from NZD 23.99). The WoW Token will jump to AUD 32.00 and NZD 36.00. A full breakdown of the new pricing is provided below.
New World of Warcraft 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 current conversion rates suggest a near parity with US prices, the fluctuating exchange rates have fueled some player criticism. Blizzard assures players with active subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for up to six months. The company emphasizes that the decision wasn't taken lightly and acknowledges player feedback in its pricing strategies. The long-term impact of these changes remains to be seen.
