World of Warcraft: Forever takes notes from OSRS by fleshing out the original 2004 world

Blizzard Entertainment has announced 'World of Warcraft: Forever,' a new version of the game that returns to the original 2004 state without expansions. The project aims to provide fresh content while maintaining the classic feel, similar to the approach taken by Old School RuneScape.
Why it matters
This strategy reflects a growing trend in the gaming industry to cater to nostalgia-driven player bases by preserving 'classic' versions of long-running online titles.
Credit: Blizzard By Simon Batt Published Sep 12, 2026, 10:11 PM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart , Listverse , and MakeTechEasier . However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics.
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