One thing I rarely see mentioned with a possible classic+ is updated graphics. Now I know that’s not “classic”, but neither really is SoD.
From a development and cost perspective. If the retail team uplifts the old world why not use that as a base for classic+ it allows them to re-use existing assets that the retail team has made. It would probably be easier to add/modify newer assets i.e add flight paths, change terrain, add structures to more modern maps than that of legacy vanilla. If some art is custom made for classic+ it could more easily be re-purposed in retail trading post or something similar.
What exactly needs to be updated? Classic’s art style is perfect as is.
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A lot of challenges really boil down to time and cost. Legacy systems can be a real pain to deal with. Any future classic+ team has a treasure trove of assets available to them from retail, modern code, maps, etc.
No thanks, I loathe retails cartoony graphics and models. Terrible
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It’s hilarious. I don’t want Classic with modern graphics. I want modern with Classic graphics.
Bit of a hyperbole as there are things I hate about modern gameplay in terms of systems but honestly SoD has been the almost perfect sweetspot to me, only maybe ever-so-slightly leaning on the “too strong” side of things (healer mana doesn’t exist unless you have a cooked group comp for instance). Classic+ should just feel almost exactly like SoD, but with legs.
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Yeah SOD has so much going for it.
I think the rune system is awesome with dual spec its just so good.
I do miss the wrath talent trees though, i had so much fun trying off the wall builds.
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Warcraft from the beginning has always been cartoony. That’s the art style. Ultimately what I am getting at is that Classic+ is likely going to be a very underfunded/understaffed project. Look at the art used for the SE tier set. Before classic came out in 2019, Blizzard released a few blog posts about some of the challenges with using their more modern database schema & the old systems with classic. I’d rather them spend time making new content than trying to retroactively fix tech debt from classic or adapt legacy systems with half baked functionality.
One of the absolute best things about Classic is the original graphics and animations.
I can’t stand the downgraded Retail ones. The art style doesn’t even resemble Warcraft anymore. And the run animations are utterly horrible.
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Actually delusional if you think the recycled animations in classic are better than retail lmfao. Classic andys are actually delusional
Classic looks way better. 
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Please no, they ruin the undead casting animation which was the best in the game. All the running animation suck as well.
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hell ya classic in ue 5 would be amazing classic andys are just to classic
I think not changing the artstyle at all but just making it hd texture instead of this pixelated edged 20 year old outdated graphics would be the sweet spot. No new animations or artstyle. Didn’t they do something like that in cata?
So long as it’s optional, which it was for a time…
Personally, I like the new models. They still retain the “style” of WoW while looking fresh.
Same with the new spell effects…optional.
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an option to switch between different graphical settings would be cool for classic +
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Is that in cataclysm, or?
I’d be fine with this, as long as you can toggle off the HD models and switch to the classic low-poly ones.
Classic should retain its art style and graphics. Changing them would be a huge L for sod/classic +
Don’t forget part of the appeal of this game is that it can be played on a TI- 87 calculator.
The last thing I need are cartoonish immersion and nostalgia destroying retail style art/graphics that will make frame rates go to single digit for many people.
This game will die overnight if people have to buy a new PC to play it.
This is a great idea. I remember toggling off the graphics for D2:R and was like oh my god it used to look that bad?
I am all for HD models, environments, etc…so long as the art style remains unchanged. Retail’s art style is not it but having more pixels on the screen to make more detailed environments is A-OK with me