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{{About|the series|the first game|Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest}} {{SeriesInfobox | image = HoMM.png | caption = Current logo for the ''Heroes of Might and Magic'' series | genre = Turn-based strategy | developer = New World Computing, Nival Interactive, Black Hole Entertainment | publisher = The 3DO Company, Ubisoft | creator = Jon Van Caneghem | platforms = MS-DOS, GNU/Linux, Game Boy Color, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows }} '''''Heroes of Might and Magic''''' is a series of [[video game]]s originally created and developed by [[Jon Van Caneghem]] through [[New World Computing]]. As part of the ''[[Might and Magic]]'' franchise, the series changed ownership when NWC was acquired by [[The 3DO Company|3DO]] and again when 3DO closed down and sold the rights to [[Ubisoft]].<ref name="3DO/Ubi">{{Cite web |author= |title=Ubisoft Entertainment SA acquires 3DO Co-Heroes of Might & Magic from 3DO Co |publisher=The Alacra Store |date=December 23, 2003 |url=http://www.alacrastore.com/storecontent/Thomson_M&A/Ubisoft_Entertainment_SA_acquires_3DO_Co_Heroes_of_Might_Magic_from_3DO_Co-1463134020 |accessdate=2009-10-05}}</ref> The games feature [[turn-based]], [[fantasy]]-themed conflicts in which players control armies of [[mythical creature]]s. The series began in 1995 with the release of the first title, and has most recently seen a release in 2007 with an expansion to the fifth title. A sixth installment, ''[[Might and Magic: Heroes VI]]'', is due for release in March 2011. The series is directed primarily at the [[DOS]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] platforms, with sporadic support for [[Mac OS]] over the years. [[New World Computing]] closed after the production of ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic IV]]'', and since then the rights to the franchise have been owned by Ubisoft. [[Nival Interactive]] developed the first game in the series since the changeover, ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic V]]'', while [[Black Hole Entertainment]] are developing its sequel. ''Heroes III'' was ported to [[Linux]].<ref name="Linux">{{Cite web |author= |title=Heroes III ported to Linux |publisher=Loki Software, Inc |date=October 28, 2000 |url=http://www.lokigames.com/products/heroes3/ |accessdate=2009-10-05}}</ref> [[GameTap]] has carried the first four games in the series since 2006.<ref name="GameTap">{{Cite web |author= |title=Heroes of Might and Magic Invade GameTap |publisher=GameZone |date=February 23, 2006 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/02_23_06_11_45AM.htm |accessdate=2009-10-05}}</ref> Remakes have appeared on the [[Game Boy Color]]. ==Games== [[File:HoMM2 screenshot.png|256px|thumb|right|Screenshot from ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic II]]'']] [[File:HeroesV Gameplay.png|256px|thumb|right|Screenshot from the latest installment, ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic V]]''.]] ''[[King's Bounty]]'' (1990), an earlier game from [[New World Computing]], largely precipitated the design of ''Heroes'' and is included in some ''Heroes'' anthologies. It was later remade and branded as a ''Heroes'' title for the [[PlayStation 2]] game, ''Quest for the Dragon Bone Staff''. A sequel to ''King's Bounty'' was released in 2008 as ''[[King's Bounty: The Legend]]''. * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest]]'' ([[1995 in video gaming|1995]]) * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Succession Wars]]'' ([[1996 in video gaming|1996]]) ** ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Price of Loyalty]]'' ([[1997 in video gaming|1997]]) * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III]]'' (The Restoration of Erathia) ([[1999 in video gaming|1999]]) ** ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III: Armageddon's Blade]]'' ([[1999 in video gaming|1999]]) ** ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Shadow of Death|The Shadow of Death]]'' ([[2000 in video gaming|2000]]) * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic IV]]'' ([[2002 in video gaming|2002]]) ** ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic IV: The Gathering Storm]]'' ([[2002 in video gaming|2002]]) ** ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic IV: Winds of War]]'' ([[2003 in video gaming|2003]]) * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic V]]'' ([[2006 in video gaming|2006]]) ** ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate]]'' ([[2006 in video gaming|2006]]) ** ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic V: Tribes of the East]]'' ([[2007 in video gaming|2007]]) * ''[[Might and Magic: Heroes VI]]'' ([[2011 in video gaming|2011]])<ref>{{Cite web|last=Douglas |first=Jane |url=http://gamescom.gamespot.com/story/6273649/heroes-of-might-and-magic-vi-rising-on-pc-in-2011 |title=Heroes of Might & Magic VI rising on PC in 2011 - News at GameSpot |publisher=Gamescom.gamespot.com |date=2010-08-17 |accessdate=2010-09-13}}</ref> ===Spin-offs=== * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic (Game Boy Color)|Heroes of Might and Magic]]'' (Game Boy Color, [[2000 in video gaming|2000]]) * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic II (Game Boy Color)|Heroes of Might and Magic II]]'' (Game Boy Color, [[2000 in video gaming|2000]]) * ''[[Heroes Chronicles]]'' ([[2000 in video gaming|2000]]) * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic: Quest for the Dragon Bone Staff]]'' (PlayStation 2, [[2001 in video gaming|2001]]) * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic Online]]'' ([[2008 in video gaming|2008]]) * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms]]'' ([[2009 in video gaming|2009]]) * ''[[Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes]]'' ([[Nintendo DS]], [[2009 in video gaming|2009]]) ===Anthologies=== * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic Compendium]]'' ([[1997 in video gaming|1997]]), includes ''King's Bounty'' and first two ''Heroes'' games including expansion pack. Released by 3DO. * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic Millennium]]'' ([[1999 in video gaming|1999]]), includes ''King's Bounty'', ''Heroes I'', ''Heroes II Gold'' and ''Heroes III'', but no expansions to ''Heroes III''. Released by 3DO, in a 3 CD-ROM disc set. * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic Trilogy]]'' ([[2000 in video gaming|2000]]), ''Heroes I'', ''Heroes II'' and ''Heroes III'', but no expansions to ''Heroes II'' nor ''Heroes III''. Released in a joint venture by 3DO and Ubisoft, in a 3 CD-ROM disc set. * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic Platinum Edition]]'' ([[2002 in video gaming|2002]]), includes ''Heroes I'', ''Heroes II Gold'' and ''Heroes III Complete''. Released by 3DO, in a 4 CD-ROM disc set. * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III+IV Complete]]'' ([[2002 in video gaming|2002]]), includes ''Heroes III Complete'' and ''Heroes IV Complete''. Released by Ubisoft, in a 1 DVD-ROM disc set. * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic V Silver Edition]]'' ([[2006 in video gaming|2006]]), includes ''Heroes V'' and the expansion pack ''Hammers of Fate''. * ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic Complete Edition]]'' ([[2008 in video gaming|2008]]), includes all five ''Heroes'' games and their expansions. Released by Ubisoft. ==Gameplay== The ''Heroes'' series is within the genre of [[turn-based strategy]]. The titular heroes are [[player character]]s who can recruit armies, move around the [[level (computer and video games)|map]], capture resources, and engage in combat. The heroes also incorporate some [[role-playing game]] elements; they possess a set of [[statistic (role-playing games)|statistics]] that confer bonuses to an army, [[artifact (fantasy)|artifacts]] that enhance their powers, and knowledge of [[magic (gaming)|magical spells]] that can be used to attack enemies or produce strategic benefits. Also, heroes gain [[experience point|experience level]]s from battle, such that veteran heroes are significantly more powerful than inexperienced ones. Experienced heroes may persist through a campaign, but do not carry over between single scenarios. On a typical map, players begin a game with one town of a chosen alignment. The number of different alignments varies throughout the series, with the lowest count of four appearing initially in ''Heroes I'' and peaking at nine in the ''Heroes III'' expansion ''Armageddon's Blade''. Each town alignment hosts a unique selection of creatures from which the player can build an army. Town alignment also determines other unique traits such as native hero classes, special bonuses or abilities, and leanings toward certain skills or kinds of magic. Towns play a central role in the games since they are the primary source of income and new recruits. A typical objective in each game is to capture all enemy towns. Maps may also start with neutral towns, which do not send out heroes but may still be captured by any player. It is therefore possible, and common, to have more towns than players on a map. When captured, a town retains its alignment type, potentially allowing the new owner to create a mixed army. A player or team is eliminated when no towns or heroes are left under their control. Barring any special conditions, the last player or team remaining is the victor. A side objective commonly appearing in the series is the acquisition of a powerful object called the "ultimate artifact," (''Heroes I'' and ''II''), [[grail]] (''III'' and ''IV'') or Tear of Asha (''V''), buried under a random tile on the map. As heroes visit special locations called [[obelisk]]s, pieces are removed from a [[jigsaw puzzle]]-like map, gradually revealing its location to the player. Once found, it confers immense bonuses to the player capable of breaking stalemates: the grail can be taken back to a town and used to build a special structure, while the ultimate artifact provides the bonuses directly through possession. ===Time and resource model=== Each turn (consisting of all players' moves) is represented as a single [[day]], and days are organized into cycles of [[week]]s and [[month]]s (measured as four weeks). The primary resource is [[gold]], which is generated by towns on a daily basis. Gold alone is sufficient for obtaining basic buildings and most creatures. As construction progresses, increasing amounts of secondary resources such as [[wood]], [[ore]], gems, crystals, sulfur, and mercury are required. These resources, as well as gold, are produced at [[mining|mines]] and other secondary structures, which are located on the map and require heroes to capture them. As with towns, mines can also be captured by enemy heroes, presenting an additional avenue for conflict. At the start of each week (each day in ''Heroes IV''), creature dwellings produce new recruits. In some of the games, the start of a new month causes neutral armies to spawn all over the map, providing fresh challenges and opportunities. ===Combat=== Whenever a player engages in battle, the game changes from the adventure map display to a combat screen, which is based on either a [[hex map|hexagonal]] or square grid. In this mode, the game mimics the [[turn-based tactics]] genre, as the engaged armies must carry through the battle without the opportunity to reinforce or gracefully retreat. With few exceptions, combat must end with the losing army [[desertion|deserting]] or being destroyed, or paying a heavy price in gold to surrender. Surrendering allows the player to keep the remaining units intact. Creatures in an army are represented by unit stacks, each of which consists of a single type of creature, in any quantity. A limited number of stacks are available to each army, varying by game. Players generally manoeuvrer their stacks attempting to achieve the most favorable rate of [[attrition warfare|attrition]] for themselves. The games also have an automatic combat option that allows the computer to make tactical choices for a player. Heroes participate in battle as well: passively by granting bonuses to their army, and actively by engaging in combat and casting spells. In most of the games, heroes do not act as units, and cannot be harmed. However, in ''Heroes IV'' they do act as regular units and can be "killed"; dead heroes are transferred to a dungeon where they can be re-recruited by the battle winner. Combat is affected by several random factors. In addition to simulating [[dice]] rolls to determine damage, a variety of influences including hero abilities and special bonuses determine a unit's luck and morale ratings, which affect the likelihood of those units triggering a bonus during combat. A unit that triggers good luck deals more (or receives less) damage, and a unit that triggers high morale receives an extra turn. In some other games, luck and morale can also be negative, with opposite corresponding effects. Luck and morale can be improved by hero abilities, artifacts, and spells. Morale may suffer with overwhelming odds in combat or by mixing incompatible unit types (e.g. Chaos with Order.) ===History of changes=== Knowledge allows heroes to cast more spells, either through a spell memorization (HoMM I) or spell point (II-V) system. ''Heroes II'' introduced secondary skills. Heroes can learn a limited variety of secondary skills with several levels of proficiency. Secondary skills give specific, miscellaneous bonuses to heroes and their armies. For example, skill in [[logistics]] increases the distance a hero's army can travel, while skill in leadership gives their army a [[morale]] bonus. ===Replay value=== Games in the series often include a map editor or random map generator. Several fansites collect and rate user-generated maps. ==Storyline== ===Original universe=== [[File:HeroesCampaign.png|thumb|right|A single-player campaign map of Antagarich as seen in ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III: Armageddon's Blade|Heroes III: Armageddon's Blade]]''.]] Up until ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic V]]'', the ''Heroes'' series took place in the same [[fiction]]al universe as the ''[[Might and Magic]]'' series, and later ''Might and Magic'' installments heavily referenced the games, with some taking place in the same world. ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest|Heroes I]]'' and ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic II|II]]'' take place on the planet of Enroth, on a northerly continent of the same name, and chronicle the adventures of the Ironfist dynasty. The protagonist of ''Heroes I'' is Lord Morglin Ironfist, a knight who discovers a portal to the realm of Enroth while fleeing from his throne's usurpers, and goes on to conquer and dominate the continent, establishing a unified kingdom and a new rule. ''Heroes II'' featured a two-sided conflict between Morglin's sons, Roland and Archibald, both vying for their deceased father's throne. Canonically, Roland defeats Archibald, though the player can choose to align themself with either side. It was the first game in the series to feature playable heroes as campaign characters β the main characters of ''Heroes I'' were represented by the player's presence rather than as commanders on the battlefield. The storylines of ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III|Heroes III]]'' and the ''[[Heroes Chronicles]]'' shift focus to the Gryphonheart dynasty on the southern continent of Antagarich, and introduces the [[Kreegan]] as playable characters and enemies. In ''Heroes III'', Queen Catherine Gryphonheart, King Roland's wife, is called home to attend her father's funeral, to discover Antagarich being torn apart by various factions. ''Heroes III'''s expansions build on the setting with more prominent character development, featuring new and old heroes from the series in differing roles. The events preceding ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic IV|Heroes IV]]'' precipitated the destruction of Enroth due to a clash between [[Armageddon's Blade]] and the [[Heroes Chronicles#The Sword of Frost|Sword of Frost]]. The ensuing destruction brings about portals leading to another world, Axeoth, through which many characters escape. ''Heroes IV'''s campaigns focus on the scattered survivors from Enroth and Antagarich as they form new kingdoms and alliances in the new world. ===Ubisoft continuity=== ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic V]]'' was the first ''Might and Magic'' title to take place on the previously unheard-of world of Ashan, as part of [[Ubisoft]]'s franchise-wide [[continuity reboot]]. Its six campaigns are each centered around a faction leader, tied together by the character of Isabel Greyhound, Queen of the Griffin Empire. The ''Heroes V'' [[Heroes of Might and Magic V#Expansion packs|expansion packs]] both continued this storyline, leading into the events of ''[[Dark Messiah of Might and Magic]]''. ''Heroes VI'' is to act as a prequel, occurring 400 years prior. ==Reception== Critical reception for the series has been generally positive, with [[Game Rankings]] scores averaging from the high 70s to high 80s. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External Links== * [http://www.mightandmagic.com ''Might and Magic'' official franchise website] * <s>{{DMOZ|Games/Video_Games/Strategy/Turn-Based/Heroes_of_Might_and_Magic_Series|''Heroes of Might and Magic'' series}}</s>{{Dead link}} * [http://homm.91.com/index/ Heroes of Might and Magic Online<nowiki> </nowiki>'' (2008)] * {{MobyGames|heroes-of-might-and-magic|name=Heroes of Might and Magic}}
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