Players in the beta for World of Warcraft: Forever have consistently voiced a preference for the game's older visual style, frequently opposing the inclusion of updated high-definition character models and portraits. While Forever is designed as a new iteration of Blizzard's MMORPG, its development is rooted in the spirit of WoW Classic, even as it incorporates modern quality-of-life updates and contemporary visuals.
An option to switch between modern WoW's high-definition playable character and NPC models was introduced, but its inclusion was not originally planned. According to WoW content creator Savix, who tested an early version of Forever, Blizzard initially intended to use only HD models. However, testers, many of whom are prominent figures within the WoW Classic community, emphasized the critical importance of retaining the option for the game's original character models. Blizzard heeded this feedback, though subsequent instances of updated character models have also met with community disapproval.
For example, a quilboar boss was briefly found using its modern WoW model, which triggered backlash from players. Blizzard quickly reverted the enemy to its Classic appearance. A similar situation occurred with character creation portraits; for a significant portion of the beta, the Forever character-creation screen featured HD portraits from modern WoW, much to the community's disappointment. Earlier this week, this was rectified, and the game now utilizes WoW's original character-creation portraits. Blizzard also appears to be addressing concerns regarding the new playable Skyborne elf race, which currently only features HD models. In response to a video exploring Skyborne lore, Blizzard indicated that standard-definition versions are forthcoming.
Beyond character models and portraits, some players desire further customization. Forever's user interface presents a blend of old and new, featuring a cleaner, more streamlined design reminiscent of modern WoW but drawing inspiration from WoW Classic. Currently, there is no built-in option to switch between Forever's updated UI and the original WoW interface. For those seeking the 2004 aesthetic, a player-created add-on called ClassicUI Forever modifies elements such as action bars, the spellbook, profession tab, character portraits, and bags to match their appearance in 2004.
This ongoing tension between legacy and modern aesthetics is expected to continue. Discussions among WoW content creators highlight the contrast within Forever's art style, with many urging Blizzard to commit to a definitive direction. For a significant portion of the Forever community, the preference for older-looking assets is clear.
World of Warcraft: Forever's beta is scheduled to run until October 21, with the full launch set for November 4. In recent news, Blizzard has taken a firm stance against illegal gold buying within the Forever beta, addressing a Real Money Trading (RMT) controversy. Additionally, the developer is surveying players for input on 11 potential new classes that could be introduced to Forever in the future.