BlizzCon 2026 brought a major revelation from Blizzard: the announcement of *World of Warcraft Forever*, a new iteration of the iconic MMORPG designed to deliver a fresh take on the classic experience. While players had long requested a “Classic Plus” version, the extensive features of *World of Warcraft Forever* caught many off guard.
Gamepad Support: A First for *World of Warcraft*
In a groundbreaking move, *World of Warcraft Forever* will be playable with a gamepad, marking the first time the franchise has offered such comprehensive controller support. Traditionally, players have relied on keyboard and mouse setups, utilizing a series of keybindings for spells and actions. However, early gameplay with a gamepad has shown promising results, according to Blizzard.
Developer Insights on Gamepad Integration
Nora Valletta, the lead software engineer for the game, explained the motivation behind introducing gamepad support. “We’ve been thinking about *World of Warcraft Forever* as a third pillar of *World of Warcraft*,” she stated. This new approach aims to enhance player agency, offering options like an SD/HD character model toggle and a choice between classic and modern gameplay styles.
Valletta emphasized the importance of providing players with diverse ways to engage with the game, noting that after long hours at a computer desk, she personally enjoys the flexibility of playing from a couch. “It’s a way to provide players with just another way to interface with the game,” she said.
Accessibility and Control Scheme
Tim Jones, lead game designer on *Forever*, highlighted the team’s commitment to accessibility. He noted that the game will support both Xbox and PlayStation controllers, with a control scheme that has undergone extensive internal playtesting. The design aims to feel natural while addressing concerns about potential clunkiness during gameplay.
Players will find that friendly targeting actions are mapped to the left bumper of the Xbox controller, while enemy targeting is assigned to the right. Auto-running is activated by pressing the left analog stick, and players can ping objects in the environment with a simple click. Most actions, including spells and attacks, are conveniently mapped to the d-pad and face buttons.
Upcoming Beta and Launch Dates
Players eager to experience the new gamepad support can do so during the beta phase starting September 17. The full launch of *World of Warcraft Forever* is scheduled for November 4, promising a new chapter in the long-standing legacy of *World of Warcraft*.
Original source: polygon.com
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