World of Warcraft Getting More Expensive in One Region

World of Warcraft Price Hikes Hit Australia and New Zealand

Starting February 7th, World of Warcraft players in Australia and New Zealand will face increased prices on all in-game purchases. This announcement, made by Blizzard on January 7th, cites global and regional market conditions as the reason for the price adjustments. Players with active subscriptions as of February 6th will retain their current rates for a grace period of up to six months.

This isn't the first time World of Warcraft has adjusted its pricing. Fluctuations in the global economy have prompted Blizzard to implement country-specific price changes to reflect rising costs. Interestingly, the US monthly subscription price has remained at $14.99 since 2004, a stark contrast to the upcoming changes Down Under.

The price increases will affect both monthly and annual subscriptions, as well as various in-game services. In Australia, the monthly subscription will rise from AUD $19.95 to AUD $23.95, and the annual plan from AUD $215.00 to AUD $249.00. New Zealand players will see their monthly subscription increase from NZD $23.99 to NZD $26.99, with the annual plan rising to NZD $280.68. The WoW Token will also see a price increase, reaching AUD $32.00 and NZD $36.00 respectively.

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

While the price increases, based on current exchange rates, roughly align with US prices, the fluctuating exchange rates have sparked debate among players. Some criticize Blizzard's decision, while others see it as a necessary adjustment to bring prices in line with other regions. Blizzard maintains that the decision wasn't taken lightly and acknowledges the impact on its player base. The long-term consequences of this price adjustment remain to be seen.