With World of Warcraft: Forever, Blizzard had to reconnect with what made WoW great in the first place
Making World of Warcraft: Forever was a unique challenge for Blizzard's developers.
Blizzard Entertainment's decision to develop World of Warcraft: Forever was driven by a desire to reconnect with the core elements that made the original WoW such a beloved game. Lead encounter designer Michael Nuthals faced the daunting task of unlearning years of design habits as he and his team worked to create an enhanced version of WoW's Classic era.
The game aims to expand upon the original setting of Azeroth, introduce new quests, areas, dungeons, and raids, and rebalance classes and items. A new race, the Skyborne Elves, has also been added. Blizzard conducted the largest beta in World of Warcraft history for the game, receiving valuable feedback from players who had to purchase premium bundles to participate.
Nuthals emphasized the importance of capturing the essence of the original game, ensuring that Forever feels like a product of 2004. The development team focused on creating an authentic and nostalgic experience that rewards players for their expertise, skill, and strategic planning. With a horizontal progression system and a cap on the level cap at 60, Blizzard hopes to maintain a sense of depth and accomplishment for players who engage with the game deeply.
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