Summary
- World of Warcraft is increasing fees for Australian and New Zealand players on all in-game transactions starting February 7th.
- Players with recurring subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for up to six months.
On January 7th, Blizzard announced price increases for World of Warcraft players in Australia and New Zealand, affecting all in-game transactions including monthly subscriptions. These changes, effective February 7th, were attributed to global and regional market conditions. This isn't the first time World of Warcraft has adjusted prices; past increases have been implemented globally in response to rising costs. However, the US monthly subscription price of $14.99 has remained unchanged since 2004.
While the US price remains stable, Australia and New Zealand will see increases. According to Blizzard community manager Kaivax, the monthly subscription in Australia will rise from AUD $19.95 to AUD $23.95, and in New Zealand from NZD $23.99 to NZD $26.99. Annual subscriptions will also increase, capping at AUD $249.00 and NZD $280.68 respectively. The WoW Token will increase to AUD $32.00 and NZD $36.00.
New World of Warcraft Service Prices for Australia and New Zealand (Starting 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 |
Currently, the USD to AUD conversion rate suggests a slight USD discount, potentially aligning the new prices with current US rates. However, currency fluctuations remain a factor. The price increase has drawn criticism from some players, while others see it as a short-term alignment with US dollar pricing. Blizzard assures players with recurring subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for up to six months. The company emphasizes that these changes weren't made lightly, though the long-term impact remains to be seen.
