Blizzard Entainment has appeared in defense of Skyborne, the new race that will debut in the World of Warcraft: Forever, after the election has divided the game community.
Part of the fans have asked why Blizzard created another species of barley instead of using the existing High Elves or Blood Elves, reports TechRadar. Other criticisms relate to Skyborne's most modern appearance of models compared to classical game graphics and the fact that access to this race is linked to an additional payment package.
Blizzard says the decision has a practical reason.
According to TechRadar, developers want Skyborne to be available for both factions to avoid a major change in the balance between Alliance and Horde. The studio recalled that the arrival of Blood Elves to The Burning Crossade had caused a considerable shift of the players' population to Horde.
“We can occasionally make a bold” choice, Blizzard's team declared for TechRadar, signaling that WoW: Forever will not be just an identical remake of the old version.
Blizzard confirms on the World Warcraft's official page that Skyborne will begin the adventure at Zebras Isle, level 1 to 12. Players will be able to choose between the Windshaper Skyborne linked to Horde and High Order Skyborne of Alliance.
Their story is related to an expelled Highborn group that thousands of years ago formed an agreement with constituent spirits of the wind. At the beginning of their new history, their civilisation is in crisis after the island's defenders have disappeared and the structures keeping the community united are starting to fail, according to Blizzard's official description.
Massively Overpowered writes that Blizzard published a new video this week dedicated to Skyborne, restoring the debate about the new race as the game approaches debut.
World of Warcrat: Forever is currently in beta. Blizzard reports the test runs through October 21st, while global launching is scheduled for November 4th 2026.
Despite the controversy, Blizzard says the reactions of players who have proven Skyborne in beta have been markedly more positive after finishing the entry zone and seeing the new race's history.
