“What would a WoW 2 give you that World of Warcraft: Forever isn’t already giving you?” - Blizzard addresses the MMO elephant in the room
At BlizzCon 2026, Blizzard announced World of Warcraft: Forever, a new permanent branch of World of Warcraft positioned alongside the existing Modern and Classic versions. The announcement comes as part of the studio’s unusually transparent reveal of future game plans, which also included Diablo 5 (launching 2029) and a new open-world StarCraft shooter (2030).
World of Warcraft: Forever reimagines the original 2004/2005 launch version of the MMO with significant new content and features. Set chronologically after Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom but before the Molten Core raid, the game sends players back to the original continents with a level 60 cap. Despite its classic foundation, WoW Forever introduces over 1,000 new quests, an entirely new class, and fresh storylines that diverge from the original game’s narrative.
Blizzard positioned WoW Forever as “a new permanent home” for players seeking a distinct experience, addressing the unspoken question of whether players would ever need a true WoW 2 sequel. The game launches November 4, with beta access beginning this week. Multiple methods for accessing the beta were announced to accommodate interested players.