The World of Warcraft: Forever beta is live

Blizzard opened the World of Warcraft: Forever beta on September 17, inviting community veterans, press, fansites, and friends and family to test it. Selected opt-in players and eligible digital bundle purchasers can install the beta through the Battle.net desktop app under “World of Warcraft: Forever Beta.”

The level cap starts at 20 and will be raised to 30 later in the test. Week one content includes the new Skyborne race on the new Zephras Isle zone, plus two new dungeons: Hall of Thanes (levels 13–18) and Ruins of Lordaeron (levels 15–20), alongside all zone content up to level 20. Blizzard says more zones, dungeons, and a new battleground will open as the beta continues, and it plans a “Server Slam” window later in the test when anyone can access the beta.

The beta runs through October 21, the last full day of testing before final launch preparations begin.

Why it matters: this is the first hands-on look at Forever for testers outside BlizzCon, and the level 20 cap with two dungeons gives an early read on the leveling and dungeon pacing Blizzard is targeting.

Tracked on everything we know.