World of Warcraft Getting More Expensive in One Region

World of Warcraft to Increase Prices in Australia and New Zealand

Effective February 7th, Blizzard Entertainment will adjust the pricing of World of Warcraft in-game services for players in Australia and New Zealand. This price increase affects all in-game transactions, including subscriptions and additional purchases.

The announcement, made on January 7th, cites global and regional market conditions as the reason for the change. While this isn't the first time WoW has adjusted prices globally to reflect economic shifts, the US subscription price has remained unchanged at $14.99 since 2004.

Australian and New Zealand players currently paying $19.95 AUD and $23.99 NZD respectively for a monthly subscription will see increases to $23.95 AUD and $26.99 NZD. Annual subscriptions will also increase, reaching $249.00 AUD and $280.68 NZD. The price of WoW Tokens will rise to $32.00 AUD and $36.00 NZD. Other in-game services will also experience price increases (see table below).

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

While the current USD to AUD exchange rate suggests parity with US pricing post-increase, the fluctuating exchange rates have prompted criticism from some players. Blizzard assures players with active recurring subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for up to six months. The company emphasizes that this decision wasn't taken lightly and acknowledges player feedback in its pricing strategies. The long-term impact of this price adjustment remains to be seen.