World of Warcraft to Increase Prices in Australia and New Zealand
Effective February 7th, Blizzard Entertainment will raise prices for 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.
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 time WoW has adjusted pricing; however, the US market has remained at a consistent $14.99 monthly subscription since 2004.
The price increases 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 cap at AUD $249.00 and NZD $280.68 respectively. The WoW Token will increase to AUD $32.00 and NZD $36.00. Other in-game services will also experience price hikes, as detailed in the table 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 the current USD to AUD conversion rate suggests a minor USD discount, the fluctuating exchange rates prompted the decision. Player reactions have been mixed, with some criticizing the move and others viewing it as a short-term alignment with US pricing. Blizzard maintains the changes were carefully considered, but the long-term impact remains to be seen.
