"World of Warcraft Price Hike in One Region"

Blizzard has announced a significant change for World of Warcraft players in Australia and New Zealand, with an increase in fees for all in-game transactions set to take effect on February 7. This decision comes in response to global and regional market conditions, affecting everything from monthly subscriptions to WoW Tokens. Players have been given just one month's notice, with the announcement made on January 7.

This isn't the first time Blizzard has adjusted World of Warcraft's pricing. The company has previously altered fees in response to economic shifts worldwide, though the monthly subscription in the US has remained steady at $14.99 since the game's launch in 2004. However, the upcoming changes will specifically impact players in Australia and New Zealand.

According to Blizzard community manager Kaivax, the new pricing structure will see monthly subscriptions rise from AUD 19.95 to AUD 23.95 in Australia, and from NZD 23.99 to NZD 26.99 in New Zealand. Annual subscriptions will cap at AUD 249.00 and NZD 280.68. The WoW Token, a versatile in-game item that can be converted into game time or gold, will also see an increase to AUD 32.00 and NZD 36.00.

Here's a detailed breakdown of the new service prices starting February 7:

At the current exchange rate, the new prices align closely with the US subscription rates, though the fluctuating strength of the AUD and NZD could affect this in the future. Some players have criticized Blizzard for the price hike, while others see it as a necessary adjustment to match US dollar values.

Blizzard has assured that players with recurring subscriptions as of February 6 will retain their current rates for up to six months. The company emphasized that these changes were not made lightly and that they have historically considered player feedback when adjusting prices. The long-term impact of these price increases in Australia and New Zealand remains to be seen.