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, 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 adjustment for WoW; Blizzard has historically modified pricing in various regions to reflect economic changes. The US market, however, has seen a consistent $14.99 monthly subscription fee since 2004.
The price increases for Australia and New Zealand are detailed below:
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 |
While current exchange rates suggest a near parity with US pricing, the fluctuating nature of the AUD and NZD means this alignment may be temporary. Player reaction has been mixed, with some criticizing the move and others viewing it as a short-term correction to align with US pricing. Blizzard maintains the decision was not taken lightly and acknowledges player feedback in its pricing strategies. The long-term implications of this price adjustment remain to be seen.