Blizzard has finally confirmed the long-rumored “Classic+” game mode, and it is called World of Warcraft: Forever. The announcement came at the end of Blizzcon’s opening ceremonies, and the reveal marks the confirmation of a mode that has been the subject of years of speculation.
The game is set in the very first year of World of Warcraft, and it aims to capture the spirit of the original release while adding new content and a playable Skyborne Elf race.
Dwarf Hunter’s Alternate Path
The cinematic trailer, described as “rather joyful,” shows a familiar face. It follows the dwarf hunter from the original World of Warcraft trailer, who takes a different path down the mountain and arrives at the walled-off city of Dalaran. Unlike in Vanilla WoW, the city opens to him, revealing dark secrets beneath its walls. The trailer also features the World Tree Nordrassil, a location that was inaccessible in Vanilla WoW, and a brand new sky kingdom populated by a new kind of elf.
The trailer’s central image is the dwarf hunter’s alternate path, and the implication is that this version of the story offers a different entry point into the game’s early history. The Skyborne Elves appear in the trailer as well, a new playable race that was not present in the original game.
The Full Package
World of Warcraft: Forever will remain in that first year of WoW, with a level 60 cap. New adventures will continue to unfold in that space, with content spanning the full level span from 1 to 60. At launch, the game includes three brand new zones, several overhauled older zones to fill in the blank spaces on the map, over 1,000 new quests, a new battleground, nine new dungeons, two new raids, and the new playable race: Skyborne Elves.
There will also be new reputations, new pets, updated world visuals, and much more. The game is designed to let players experience the early days of the game while also giving them fresh reasons to explore familiar territory.
Show-Floor and Beta
World of Warcraft: Forever will be playable on the show floor at Blizzcon. A beta will launch this coming Thursday. The game itself is sooner than anyone expected: it is set to release on November 4, 2026.
The beta launch on Thursday gives players their first chance to test the new content. The show-floor presence means attendees can see the game in action before it even reaches that stage.
The Classic Team Behind It
The game is developed by the Classic team. That team’s familiarity with the original game is part of why the project exists in the first place.
The goal is to embody the principles of the original game while expanding its scope. The level 60 cap ties the experience directly to the era of the game’s launch, while the new zones, quests, dungeons, and raids add content that did not exist back then.
What Players Get
The announcement delivers on years of rumored promises. A level 60 cap, three new zones, over 1,000 new quests, nine new dungeons, and a whole new playable Skyborne Elf race — all tied to the original game’s first year.
The Skyborne Elves are a notable addition. They are a new playable race that expands the game’s roster of available characters.
The Bottom Line
This is a win for Blizzard. The game combines the beloved original World of Warcraft with new content and a playable race that adds to the game’s roster.
The beta launch on Thursday and the show-floor presence at Blizzcon mean players will get hands-on time soon. The November 4, 2026 release date gives Blizzard plenty of time to polish the game.
Key Facts Box
- Game: World of Warcraft: Forever
- Developer: The Classic team
- Setting: The first year of World of Warcraft
- Level cap: Level 60
- New zones: Three brand new, several overhauled older zones
- New quests: Over 1,000
- New dungeons: Nine
- New raids: Two
- New playable race: Skyborne Elves
- Beta: Launches this Thursday
- Playtest: Available on Blizzcon show floor
- Release date: November 4, 2026
The game’s blend of classic nostalgia and new content is a smart move, and the Skyborne Elves give players a reason to start fresh. The beta and show-floor presence should keep interest high until the November 2026 release date.
See the video the story is built around at Kotaku.