Blizzard develops WoW: Forever as expanded Classic experience
Blizzard is creating WoW: Forever, a remastered version of the original World of Warcraft that adds new quests, areas, and a new race while aiming to retain the feel of the 2004 game.
Blizzard announced WoW: Forever, an expanded version of the original World of Warcraft, at BlizzCon earlier this year. The project, led by veteran encounter designer Michael Nuthals, adds more than 1,000 new quests, fresh zones such as Mount Hyjal, and new dungeons and raids, while keeping the level cap at 60. A new playable race, the Skyborne Elves, is also included.
Nuthals said the team’s main challenge is meeting diverse player expectations for a "Classic+" experience that does not resemble the modern retail version of the game. He described the development process as an effort to "listen" to community feedback gathered during the largest beta in WoW history, which required participants to purchase a premium bundle starting at $60.
To align new content with the original game's feel, the encounter team regularly replayed classic dungeons and compared them with newly designed ones, aiming for a seamless blend. Nuthals explained that the design philosophy focuses on the "strength, dexterity and intelligence" triangle, encouraging gear-based, mobility, and mechanics-focused challenges.
Blizzard also plans to introduce additional dungeons and zones, some of which will not be at max level, to provide opportunities for new storytelling within familiar areas. The studio intends to reward players who explore the world deeply, seeding the game with items that may become valuable in future raids.