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World of Warcraft: Forever
Ion Hazzikostas is here to talk about the evolution of Classic into Forever, reexperiencing that vanilla journey, which led to a conversation about what would come next. Many players wanted to go into TBC and beyond, which of course is what came to pass, but there were others who just wanted to experience the perfect MMO and didn't want to leave it behind.
The reality of the team and development pipeline they had in 2020 didn't have the capability to do that, but the idea grew over time, culminating in Season of Discovery: an experiment to push boundaries and find the limits of how much change is too much change for the Classic experience.
By mid-2024, they were certain that it was not only possible, but compelling to pursue that vision. They learned how to build content that felt like it belonged alongside the original and gave them insight as to how players approach the game now vs twenty years ago. Most of all, they heard loud and clear that players didn't want just a temporary season, they wanted a forever home... and now they have one.
Turning over to the team behind Forever, we're introduced to Lead Classic Designer Tim Jones, who reiterates that Warcraft: Forever is focused on staying in Azeroth and revisiting mysteries that were never fully told, zones never fully explored, and going deeper into the world of warcraft.
The world should still feel like Classic, measured against the spirit of the original game. There won't be any flying mounts, there won't be level scaling, and Azeroth should remain a dangerous world where preparation and teamwork matters. It's not going to be difficult for the sake of difficulty, but encourage deliberation.
The world is the main character, and leveling is just as important as the endgame. New zones, quests, and rewards will tell stories across all levels.
WoW: Forever is planned as a long term home, not invalidating player efforts through new expansions. Effort should matter and remain important! The catch-up system is simple: play the game!
There will be new systems like camping, and patches will include content for all sorts of players: PvE, PvP, dungeoneers, raiders, and more. People often talk about Classic as a solved game, but when they look at Azeroth they see unfinished stories and potential. Gilneas, Mount Hyjal, Uldum, the Emerald Dream, and just what lies beyond Un'goro?
Mount Hyjal
Today we're introduced to four new regions, starting with Mount Hyjal. We all know the story of Archimonde's defeat, but what happened after that? This is a new endgame leveling zone where players can explore a new part of WoW's history, with solo and group content including new reputations, quests, and rewards. Players seeking a greater challenge can also tackle one of the launch raids: Hyjal Summit. It will also feature one of three entrances to the Barrow Deeps raid!
Shen'Dralas
Here we'll learn more about the Shen'dralar, the faction of the Night Elves remaining in Dire Maul. We'll also learn more about the war between Centaur tribes, and find new reasons to explore Mauradon and Razorfen Downs.
The Riverglades
Located is a major new leveling zone exploring the frontier, a rugged set of grasslands and trading routes comprised of humans, orcs, ogres, and more. It's not a story about saving Azeroth... it's a story about living there, with over 150 new quests, new reputations, and rewards set between level 30-45. There's even a neutral goblin port with expanded travel routes.
There's even a new dungeon to keep you from having to run Scarlet Monastery a few hundred more times.
Zephras Isle
This brand new starting experience from levels 1-12 introduces players to the original Skyborn race, elemental hybrids which are not neutral - they join the Horde or Alliance from the start, with Horde having access to Shaman and Alliance having access to Mages, while both factions can be Warriors, Hunters, Rogues, and Druids.
New Content
Lead Software Engineer Nora Mills now introduces us to nine new dungeons and two raids! The City of Dalaran was concealed after the events of Warcraft 3, but that barrier has since come down. Despite the city being restored, the Kirin Tor don't quite have the situation under control, so level 20-35 players will enter the city-dungeon to help set things right.
Lordaeron has been left in ruins and scourge still lurk within. Level 15-20 members of the Horde will take up arms to help reclaim the city, though alliance may find their way in too...
The Hall of Thanes has been breached, and level 13-18 members of the Alliance have been called to protect its ancient treasures... but Horde players may want to take some for themselves.
Located in the wetlands is a new Excavation Site that the Explorer's League has set its sights on, while The Drowned City is an ancient troll ruin off the coast of Stranglethorn Vale - players can experience it today on the show floor!
Alcaz Island Prison, The Shaper's Terrace, and the Krol'Dok Stronghold are high level dungeons for level 40-60 players. There's also a great furbolg city of Blackmaw Hold!
Our first 10 players raid is the Barrow Deeps, which will have three entrances throughout the world, one of which is in Mount Hyjal. The Night Elves hold dangerous prisoners here, including one particularly infamous character we probably aren't prepared to deal with yet.
The Hyjal Summit is being drained of power, but will need 20 players to take on.
There are also new legendary quests and tier sets to acquire, as well as PvP updates including the original battlegrounds and The Darkspear Islands - a strategic 15v15 battleground similar to Eye of the Storm with Arathi Basin style capture points.
Class updates embrace the Classic style of making each feel unique. Paladins get a new tanking seal and more group healing, as well as a whole suite of Retribution. They've moved away from +1-2% talents, and instead focused on impactful choices.
There are also hundreds of new items, including a lot of special on-use effects. It's not just new items though, existing items have also been updated to be a little stronger, a little more unique, and a little more useful.
Racials have also been updated to feel more unique and more distinct. Tomorrow's Deep Dive panel will go into more detail.
Unexpected Development
Associate Production Director Clay Stone is now here to tell us more about rendering updates: they believe WoW Classic's artstyle is timeless, so they don't want to change it, but have made an effort to enhance existing effects with more rolling rivers, more natural fog, moonlight breaking through trees. It's the same Azeroth, with powerful immersive updates.
Camping is a new profession that focuses on tradeskills. Players can create campsites out in the world which others can join, using their trade skills to collaboratively buff each other and communicate.
The 1-60 leveling experience is the heart of Classic, so there will be a legacy system which grants new perks for players who enjoy leveling multiple characters.
Players love to debate what is/not Classic or Classic+, so it's time to talk about Transmog. Some people love the idea, some players think it's anathema to Classic. Blizzard wants to do both. In Forever, it's opt-in, so players can individually decide to enable it and see their (and each other's) transmog, or keep it off and enjoy a world of clown suits.
Character models are another divisive topic, so HD and SD graphics for characters, models, and the world will be completely togglable in Forever.
There will also be an updated PvP system, riding skill updates, a new legendary, gamepad support, and more.
Finally, Blizzard has revealed a WoW: Forever Roadmap, with fast-paced production for a slow-paced game, featuring new dungeons, raids, expanded world content, PvP season refreshes, and more, which will launch in sequence with WoW's original content - the 20 player Hyjal Summit will launch alongside the 40 player Onyxia's lair, which also informs us that there will be content for many different group sizes.
The game is being built for the long terms, but nothing is off the table, not even new classes. In that spirit, Hardcore will also be coming to WoW Forever, with its own deep dive panel tomorrow.
The Collector's Edition includes a gold statue of the Dwarf Hunter and bear companion from the original World of Warcraft cinematic.
BlizzCon 2026
Warcraft: Forever
WoW: Forever Legacy System
Skyborne and Updated Racials
Main & Secondary Names
WoW: Forever Collector's Edition
Skyborn First Look
Classic Roadmap & Hardcore
Transmog is Optional
Everything We Know About Forever
Skyborn Costs $29.99
Forever: What's Next Liveblog
Undead Paladins in Forever
Classic+ is World of Warcraft Forever
Opening Ceremony Liveblog
The World Soul Saga
Midnight & Last Titan Roadmap
Wrath Remix
Asatalor Season 3 Nemesis
Spec Based Top 5% Mythic+
Final Midnight Raid: The Worldcore
Talebound Patch 12.1.7 Gamemode
Midnight What's Next
Sept 17th Q&A
Season 3 M+ Rotation
Three More Paladin Races Coming
Legendary Caster Dagger
The Last Titan Teaser
Patch 12.2: Eclipse
Decor Login Reward
Other Game Announcements
Diablo Netflix Animated Series
Xal'atath Coming to Heroes of the Storm
Starcraft: Dominion in 2030
New Overwatch Hero: Doctrine
Diablo V in Production
Amazon Coming to Diablo 4
Diablo 4 to Nintendo Switch 2
