World of Warcraft: Forever sticks with classic models after beta feedback
World of Warcraft: Forever blends a WoW Classic base with modern updates, but Blizzard adjusted its visuals after HD model and quilboar boss feedback.
- According to the report, testers and content creators pushed back against HD character models, after which Blizzard kept or added the option for original models.
- A quilboar boss that appeared with a modern model drew backlash and was then reverted to its WoW Classic look; a quoted remark suggests there may still be more to come for Skyborne models.
What happened
World of Warcraft: Forever is described in the provided report as a new version of Blizzard’s MMORPG that builds on the foundation and atmosphere of WoW Classic, while also adding modern quality-of-life changes and updated visuals. In that setup, the visual style has remained a clear point of debate during the beta.
According to the source, players in the beta, including streamers and content creators from the WoW Classic community, spoke out against the refreshed high-definition character models and portraits. WoW content creator Savix says Blizzard initially wanted to use only HD models and did not plan to offer a toggle between standard and high-definition models.
The report says Blizzard then listened and added or kept the option for original character models. It also says a quilboar boss appeared with a modern WoW model, after which players objected and Blizzard reverted the character to the WoW Classic version.
In addition, the source says Blizzard stated to "stay tuned regarding Skyborne models," suggesting there may still be a change ahead for the new Skyborne race’s model choice. The available information does not make clear whether this was an official announcement or simply a remark in response to feedback.
Timeline
2026-10-07: Reporting on World of Warcraft: Forever appears, focusing on the debate over classic versus HD models.
Unknown date during the beta: Testers and content creators stress that original character models matter and push back against the refreshed visuals.
Unknown date during the beta: A quilboar boss appears with a modern model, draws backlash, and is then reverted to the WoW Classic look.
Unknown date: Blizzard says, according to the source, to "stay tuned regarding Skyborne models," possibly hinting at a later model update.
Background
World of Warcraft: Forever is linked in the source material to WoW Classic, but with some modern additions. The core issue is not a new feature set, but how far Blizzard can go with visual updates without losing the classic look.
The source also notes that the discussion is not limited to playable characters, but also includes non-hostile NPCs and a specific boss variant. As a result, the beta feedback is mainly about how existing WoW elements are presented, rather than about a completely new system.