World of Warcraft Getting More Expensive in One Region

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 unchanged at $14.99 since 2004.

The price increases will impact Australian and New Zealand players significantly. The monthly subscription will rise from AUD 19.95 to AUD 23.95 and from NZD 23.99 to NZD 26.99. Annual subscriptions will also see increases, 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, such as character transfers and name changes, will also experience price hikes (see detailed pricing below).

While the current USD to AUD exchange rate might suggest parity with US prices post-increase, the fluctuating exchange rates remain a key factor. This price adjustment has sparked mixed reactions from the WoW community, with some criticizing Blizzard's decision, while others see it as aligning prices with the US market in the short term.

Blizzard emphasizes that the decision wasn't taken lightly and that player feedback has historically influenced pricing decisions. The long-term impact of these price changes remains to be seen.

New World of Warcraft Service Prices (Australia & New Zealand - Effective February 7th):