Blizzard opens World of Warcraft: Forever beta with new zone, races and visual updates
The World of Warcraft: Forever beta, launched after its announcement at BlizzCon, lets players reach level 20 and introduces the Riverglades zone, additional class-race options and optional visual enhancements.
Blizzard Entertainment released the beta for World of Warcraft: Forever last week, following its unveiling at this year's BlizzCon. The test version currently permits characters to progress to level 20 and includes a range of new content and quality-of-life changes.
Among the additions is the Riverglades, a newly designed zone that features rebuilt towns and environmental details inspired by earlier Warcraft titles. The update also adds new class-race combinations, such as Undead Paladins, and introduces the Skyborne race, which presents a more modern visual style while remaining optional.
Visual improvements include updated lighting, fog and water effects, with players able to toggle between the refreshed graphics and the classic look of earlier releases. Minor gameplay tweaks, such as a druid transformation tied to a specific gear set and a mage-only skill that modifies a rare weapon, have also been incorporated.
Blizzard has emphasized that core quests, dungeons and the overall world layout remain unchanged, positioning the beta as an enhancement rather than a overhaul of the classic experience. The company has indicated that feedback from the beta will inform the final release schedule.