On January 7, Blizzard announced that World of Warcraft players 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, giving World of Warcraft players just one month of advance notice.

This is not the first time World of Warcraft has 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 of World of Warcraft's monthly subscription at $14.99 per month in the US since the game's 2004 launch. Whether that will change in the future remains to be seen.

Although World of Warcraft's monthly subscription has remained consistent in the US, two countries will soon see their rates change. According to a 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 Warcraft monthly 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.

New World of Warcraft Service Prices for Australia and New Zealand (Starting February 7)

Service

Australian dollar (AUD)

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

12-Month Recurring Subscription

$249.00

$280.68

6-Month Recurring Subscription / 180 Days Game Time

$124.50

$140.34

3-Month Recurring Subscription / 90 Days Game Time

$67.05

$75.57

1-Month Recurring Subscription / 30 Days Game Time

$23.95

$26.99

WoW Token

$32.00

$36.00

Blizzard Balance for WoW Token Redemption

$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 and Faction Change

$56.00

$63.00

Guild Name Change

$32.00

$36.00

Character Boost

$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, some World of Warcraft players 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 affected World of Warcraft players who have recurring subscriptions as of February 6 will keep their current rates for up to six months.

Blizzard added that the changes were not made lightly. While World of Warcraft has a history of using 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.