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 currently subscribed as of February 6th will retain their existing 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 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, such as character transfers and name changes, will also see corresponding price increases. A detailed breakdown of the new pricing is provided 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 (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 exchange rate might suggest parity with US prices, the fluctuating nature of currency exchange rates makes long-term predictions uncertain. Player reactions have been mixed, with some criticizing the move and others viewing it as a short-term alignment with US pricing. Blizzard emphasizes that the decision wasn't taken lightly and acknowledges the impact on its player base.