More news from World of Warcraft this week. Two days ago, on the WoW forums, it was announced that people within the UK (or at least those paying with the pound) will soon be experiencing an increase in subscription cost.
According to Taepsilm, the Blizzard community manager who made the announcement, “The new price for recurring subscriptions will be £9.99 for 30 days, £28.17 for 90 days, and £52.14 for 180 days. The suggested retail price of the 60-day prepaid time card will be £20.99.” However, within the same post, it was mentioned that current subscribers with auto-renewing subscriptions will be able to take a breath of relief. Instead of having to deal with the increased payment plans right away, they will be allowed to stick with the current pricing (£8.99 for 30 days, £25.17 for 90 days, £46.14 for 180 days) for the next two years… so long as they don’t interrupt that subscription during those two years. On the brighter side, anyone who signs up for an auto-renewing subscription between now and the price increase will also be eligible.
Let it be said right now, that the irony of my first article is not lost on me here. At best, this price increase is just a result of “changes in light of local and regional market conditions” as Taepsilm also mentions in the aforementioned forum post. At worst, it may be a direct response to that big drop in subscribers, where Blizzard is trying to pick up the slack. Personally, I think it’s pretty bold move any way you look at it. With the subscription sales figures for World of Warcraft already public knowledge, it isn’t too much of a stretch for people to guess where the blood in the water comes from. The ultimatum-like “deal” for auto-renewing subscriptions doesn’t exactly help the situation much either. Here’s hoping that Blizzard reconsiders this move. Otherwise, I would bet they end up learning a lesson in reverse reverse psychology.
Do you think the UK subscription increase for World of Warcraft is really due to market conditions? Would you go for the two year auto-renew deal?
For the World of Warcraft forum post, click here: Subscription Increase Announcement
