The beta for World of Warcraft: Infinite is now open, with access granted to players who pay $30 to unlock the Sky Elf race. The current version already offers new quests, rest areas, and starting zones for the new race, but the updated lighting and water effects have become the primary focus of player discussion.
Many players have begun sharing screenshots of sunrises, sunsets, misty forests, and sunlight filtering through tree canopies. This lighting system is applied directly to the original geometry and textures from over twenty years ago, without remaking the environmental models.
World of Warcraft: Infinite is based on the original 2004 version of World of Warcraft, offering both Classic and Updated display modes. The Classic mode fully preserves the original visuals, while the Updated mode continues to use legacy models and textures but adds modern lighting, reworked water effects, and additional visual enhancements.
The development team chose not to fully upgrade the game environment with high-definition assets to avoid disrupting the visual tone of classic World of Warcraft. The current approach primarily leverages advancements in lighting technology to add new depth to the angular graphics of the early 2000s, while striving to preserve the original retro aesthetic.
Player-shared content also includes before-and-after comparison screenshots, with one showing Mount Hyjal visible from a distance. The Sky Elves' starting zone lacks direct comparisons to an old version, as this race did not exist in the original game; this area features more vibrant visual effects while still maintaining the overall style of classic World of Warcraft.
Some players are not fond of the updated graphics. All new lighting effects can be disabled in the settings, reverting the game to its original visual presentation, allowing players to choose between the two display options.