On January 7, Blizzard announced significant price adjustments for World of Warcraft players in Australia and New Zealand, set to take effect on February 7. This change comes in response to ongoing global and regional market fluctuations, affecting all in-game transactions, including monthly subscriptions. Players in these regions will have just one month to prepare for the increased costs.

Blizzard has a history of adjusting prices due to economic shifts worldwide, yet the monthly subscription for World of Warcraft in the US has remained steady at $14.99 since the game's inception in 2004. The upcoming changes specifically target Australia and New Zealand, where current monthly subscription rates will rise from AUD 19.95 to AUD 23.95 and from NZD 23.99 to NZD 26.99. Additionally, annual subscription plans will be capped at AUD 249.00 and NZD 280.68. The WoW Token, a versatile in-game item, will see a price hike to AUD 32.00 and NZD 36.00.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the new service prices for World of Warcraft in Australia and New Zealand, effective starting February 7:

At the current conversion rates, these price hikes would align closely with the US subscription fees when converted to USD. However, the fluctuating nature of the AUD and NZD against the USD means that these prices could change in relative value over time. This adjustment has sparked a range of reactions from the World of Warcraft community, with some players expressing frustration while others see it as a necessary alignment with US pricing.

Blizzard has confirmed that players with active recurring subscriptions as of February 6 will benefit from a grace period, maintaining their current rates for up to six months. The company emphasized that these changes were not made without careful consideration, highlighting their commitment to responding to player feedback and market conditions. As with any price increase, the long-term impact on the player base in Australia and New Zealand will unfold over time.