With WoW: Forever, World of Warcraft receives official controller support for the first time. MeinMMO summarizes the most important information regarding controller use with gamepad and a potential port to consoles.
Does WoW: Forever support controllers and gamepads? Yes, a corresponding feature was announced by Blizzard at BlizzCon 2026. However, the current version of the controller support is still in an alpha test. Nevertheless, WoW: Forever was already playable with a gamepad at Blizzard’s home event.
Will other WoW versions support controllers and gamepads? Blizzard has not commented on this yet. However, a successful test in WoW: Forever could lead to an expansion of the feature to other classic versions and the modern World of Warcraft. In the past, players could and can play WoW with a controller if they use appropriate third-party programs.
Will WoW be released on consoles? Officially, nothing has been announced regarding this. However, a successful test of the controller support in WoW: Forever could pave the way for a console port. The decision-makers at Microsoft would certainly not mind if this still very successful MMORPG eventually becomes available on an Xbox.
How does WoW: Forever play with the controller? You can switch between normal control with keyboard and mouse and controller control at the push of a button. When switching to controller control, the entire interface automatically adjusts. The familiar standard menus change to a circular radial menu.
You activate abilities with the D-pad and action buttons, in combination with the two back shoulder buttons. You use the front two shoulder buttons for target acquisition. The front left button is for allies, the front right button is for enemies. Area effects are triggered around your targeted enemy.
What is WoW: Forever? The new third pillar for World of Warcraft. WoW Forever is meant to align with modern WoW and WoW Classic, fulfilling the community’s desire for a Classic Plus variant. In other words, WoW Forever is the new “Vanilla” WoW, taking a new, alternative path at level 60.
So there will be no continuation with Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King. However, WoW Forever is not a time-limited season that will eventually end and disappear. Instead, the developers intend to expand WoW Forever long-term with new content while keeping the max level at 60 (horizontal progression like in Guild Wars 2). You can learn more about it here: WoW Forever: This is the new Classic Plus of World of Warcraft
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