Blizzard has announced World of Warcraft: Eternal, reinterpreting the classic version of World of Warcraft with a new direction. Regarding external interest in World of Warcraft 2, Lead Designer Kris Zierhut stated that the existing game continues to receive improvements, and World of Warcraft: Eternal already offers opportunities to explore the world and story in different ways.
World of Warcraft: Eternal is based on the initial version released between 2004 and 2005, expanding and remaking game content while preserving the familiar experience. Commonly referred to by players as "Classic Plus," it does not continue along the original expansion storyline.
Currently announced additions include map zones, dungeons, raids, skills, talents, race and class combinations, and the playable race "Skyborn." The game will also feature a battleground, 100 new quests, new items and rewards, and expansions to the profession system, reputation rewards, and account-wide bonuses.
Visuals will also be upgraded, with the option to switch between SD and HD character displays, allowing players to choose between the old and new appearances. The subsequent development of World of Warcraft: Eternal is not constrained by the original game's historical timeline, enabling exploration of stories that might have happened or never occurred.
Holly Longdale, Executive Producer of World of Warcraft, stated that the future direction of this path has not yet been determined. The team may present stories that could have happened, or introduce content that never occurred. From this perspective, World of Warcraft: Eternal is closer to an alternative reimagining of the classic version rather than a sequel in the series.
Zierhut noted that World of Warcraft's game world, design, engine, and server infrastructure have been continuously updated over the years. The team has not only improved graphics, rendering, and lighting but also enhanced the efficiency of scene drawing, server operations, player movement, and spell and combat systems. Therefore, there is no reason to abandon the existing foundation and start from scratch.
The modern version of World of Warcraft is currently in the middle of the "Worldsoul Saga" trilogy. Zierhut believes that there are no inherent issues with the existing story that require a complete overhaul, and World of Warcraft: Eternal already provides space for re-exploring these narratives. Thus, it is difficult to specify what additional value World of Warcraft 2 could offer beyond what is already available.