Summary
On January 7, Blizzard announced thatWorld of Warcraftplayers in Australia and New Zealand would soon pay more for all in-game transactions, including monthly subscriptions, due to global and regional market conditions. The price increases in Australia and New Zealand will go into effect on February 7, givingWorld of Warcraftplayers just one month of advance notice.
This is not the first timeWorld of Warcrafthas increased fees and prices on services such as WoW Tokens and monthly subscriptions. With changes in the global economy causing goods to become more expensive throughout the world, Blizzard has adjusted prices on a per-country basis in response to rising costs and market conditions. However, despite the changes made to most parts of the world, Blizzard has kept the price ofWorld of Warcraft’s monthly subscription at $14.99 per month in the USsince the game’s 2004 launch. Whether that will change in the future remains to be seen.
AlthoughWorld of Warcraft’s monthly subscription has remained consistent in the US, two countries will soon see their rates change. According toa forum post by Blizzard community manager Kaivax,World of Warcraft’s prices in Australia and New Zealand will go up by a few dollars in each nation. The current monthly subscription rate in Australian dollars (AUD) is $19.95 per month and $23.99 in New Zealand dollars (NZD). Starting February 7,World of Warcraftmonthly subscriptions will jump to AUD 23.95 and NZD 26.99 per month, and cap at AUD 249.00 and NZD 280.68 for the annual subscription plans.The WoW Token, which can be converted to game time or in-game Gold, will go up to AUD 32.00 and NZD 36.00.
Australian dollar (AUD)
New Zealand dollar (NZD)
$249.00
$280.68
$124.50
$140.34
$67.05
$75.57
$23.95
$26.99
$32.00
$36.00
$24.00
$27.00
$16.00
$18.00
$40.00
$45.00
$48.00
$54.00
Guild Transfer and Faction Change
$56.00
$63.00
$96.00
$108.00
At the time of writing, the conversion rate of USD to AUD would be a five-cent discount in USD, meaning that the price increases would match the current US subscription rates after conversion. However, the strength of the Australian and New Zealand dollars continues to be in flux. In response, someWorld of Warcraftplayers criticized Blizzard for the move, while others stated that it would bring the Australian and New Zealand dollar prices in line with the US dollar in the short term. Blizzard stated that affectedWorld of Warcraftplayers who have recurring subscriptionsas of February 6 will keep their current rates for up to six months.
Blizzard added that the changes were not made lightly. WhileWorld of Warcrafthas a history ofusing player feedback to change its prices, only time will tell what the long-term effects of the upcoming price increase in Australia and New Zealand will be.
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World of Warcraft is an incredibly successful MMORPG that has been going strong for almost two decades. It’s one of the highest-grossing franchises in history and is widely considered the most popular MMORPG ever made.
