The WoW 'Classic+' rumors were true: World of Warcraft: Forever promises to be another timeline's bizzarro version of the MMO

Blizzard has confirmed the existence of World of Warcraft: Forever, a previously rumored project known internally as "Classic Plus." The game resets the timeline to 2006, the year of WoW’s original launch, but diverges by exploring untold stories and regions of Azeroth. Unlike WoW: Classic, which aims to replicate the original experience, Forever treats 2006 as a starting point for new narratives. The announcement was shared with media ahead of the BlizzCon Opening Ceremony, where attendees can play the game this weekend.

The new title will enter beta on Thursday, with a full launch scheduled for November 4. Players will access Forever through the existing WoW subscription, though optional upgrade packs are available on Battle.net. The base pack, which includes the Skyborne race, starts at $30. This approach mirrors Old School RuneScape’s strategy, which expanded its player base by building on the 2006 version rather than preserving it exactly.

The announcement introduces a third official fork of World of Warcraft, alongside Retail and Classic. Blizzard has not addressed concerns about potential playerbase dilution, though the studio’s resources suggest it can sustain multiple versions. The game will be playable at BlizzCon, offering attendees a first look before the beta begins. The November 4 release date aligns with Blizzard’s typical post-BlizzCon launch cadence.

Upgrade packs for World of Warcraft: Forever are available for purchase on Battle.net, with the base pack priced at $30. The game operates under the existing WoW subscription model, meaning no additional recurring fee is required beyond standard access. Features like the Skyborne race are included in the upgrade packs, which are optional for players. The pricing structure reflects Blizzard’s approach to monetizing new content within established franchises.