World Of Warcraft: Forever Almost Launched Without Classic Models
Luckily, fans stepped in.
The latest addition to the World of Warcraft series had an impressive beta launch, and while WoW: Forever is a new game, it remains rooted in the spirit and foundations of WoW Classic. Think of it as an alternate take on the experience: it keeps the old-school feel while adding a few modern touches, such as the toggleable system that lets players choose between HD and SD character models and portraits.
Apparently, Blizzard didn't consider this option at first. WoW YouTuber Savix, who took part in early playtests, revealed that WoW: Forever initially only featured HD character models. He and other testers stressed to Blizzard the importance of including the original models, arguing that without them, the game would lose much of its classic appeal, and Associate Production Director Clay Stone reportedly told them he would fight to get the classic models added.
Thankfully, Blizzard listened to the feedback. Skyborne seems to be the exception: in the current version, the new race doesn't have a classic model option, which would make sense if it was originally designed around HD models and the classic option was added later. In the comments section of the video above, Blizzard hinted it will change, saying, "Stay tuned for more info to come regarding Skyborne models".
Here's Savix sharing more about how the classic models made it into the game:
During BlizzCon 2026, where WoW: Forever was first revealed, the developers spoke at length about their vision for the game and its art style, describing classic visuals as timeless:
"We believe the world should still feel like Classic. Every addition we make is measured against the spirit of the original game. Not whether it's new. Not whether it's flashy. But like it feels like it belongs."
World of Warcraft fans might also be interested in videos by Wyatt Cheng, a former Blizzard game director who explains the design decisions behind WoW:
World of Warcraft: Forever officially launches on November 4. Subscribe to our Newsletter, join our 80 Level Talent platform, Discord, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Instagram, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.
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