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Heroes of Might and Magic II & III open source game engines get new releases

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This is a bit of a double event. Not only has the Heroes of Might and Magic II game engine fheroes2 seen a new release, but a surprise update of VCMI for Heroes of Might and Magic III was also released.

For VCMI, it had been multiple years since the last release and they're calling this the big 1.0 meaning it should be fully playable. Both projects have an aim to keep the games going on modern platforms, along with a number of modern enhancement tweaks to get them working and feeling just a bit nicer.

The new VCMI 1.0 release adds in:

  • Spectator mode was implemented through command-line options.
  • Some main menu settings get saved after returning to main menu - last selected map, save etc.
  • Restart scenario button should work correctly now.
  • Skyship Grail works now immediately after capturing without battle.
  • Lodestar Grail implemented.
  • Fixed Gargoyles immunity.
  • Big multiplayer improvements including loading and saving, restarting and hotseat support.
  • Improved modding support.
  • Lots of AI improvements.
  • Improvements to the random map generator.

And there's loads more, it's a huge release!

On the other side is fheroes2 version 0.9.19 adding in:

  • Polish rendering of objects on Adventure Map.
  • Introduce instant finishing of battles and enhanced army exchange mechanics.
  • Improve AI to avoid endlessly wandering on one place, correct start resources for them and artifact evaluation.
  • Add Campaign difficulty.
  • Over 30 bugs are fixed since 0.9.18 release.

For both games you need the original data files, which you can grab from GOG:

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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11 comments
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Zlopez Sep 14, 2022
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Could be nice if Luxtorpeda supported this.
hardpenguin Sep 14, 2022
Quoting: ZlopezCould be nice if Luxtorpeda supported this.
I believe the problem is that there is no HoMM2 on Steam and the version of HoMM3 that is available on Steam is non-compatible with VCMI (and in general considered inferior).
Bumadar Sep 14, 2022
Have the might and magic games ever gotten a modern engine/gfx etc ?

Loved those way back in the days when you would get a code and adress after completing the game and sending a letter to them you would get you an official certificate by post 4 weeks later for completing the game :)

Oooh and how might and magic IV and V created the world of xeen, that was like the most amazing thing ever :)


Last edited by Bumadar on 14 September 2022 at 7:25 pm UTC
anewson Sep 14, 2022
Quoting: hardpenguinthe version of HoMM3 that is available on Steam is non-compatible with VCMI (and in general considered inferior).
that really sucks. Also it seems that there's no way to bump up the resolution? Looks like I'm sticking with proton + HD patch.


Last edited by anewson on 14 September 2022 at 8:53 pm UTC
Craggles086 Sep 15, 2022
Trying to remember the name of the Dos game made before Heroes of Might and Magic. When they were developing some of the ideas that went into Heroes.

Can not seem to remember, but would love an open source version of it.
hardpenguin Sep 15, 2022
Quoting: Craggles086Trying to remember the name of the Dos game made before Heroes of Might and Magic. When they were developing some of the ideas that went into Heroes.

Can not seem to remember, but would love an open source version of it.
King's Bounty?
Craggles086 Sep 15, 2022
Quoting: hardpenguin
Quoting: Craggles086Trying to remember the name of the Dos game made before Heroes of Might and Magic. When they were developing some of the ideas that went into Heroes.

Can not seem to remember, but would love an open source version of it.
King's Bounty?

Thanks.

Had totally ignored the Kings Bounty sequels and did not twig that they were a follow up to the Dos game I played as a kid. Might have to give them another look.

But sunk a lot of hours into that first Kings Bounty, if their not selling many copies any more it would be nice if they open sourced the code.


Last edited by Craggles086 on 15 September 2022 at 7:57 am UTC
tuubi Sep 15, 2022
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Quoting: Craggles086
Quoting: hardpenguin
Quoting: Craggles086Trying to remember the name of the Dos game made before Heroes of Might and Magic. When they were developing some of the ideas that went into Heroes.

Can not seem to remember, but would love an open source version of it.
King's Bounty?

Could have been. Was the first one a Dos game?

It was released in 1990, so obviously DOS and C64. Then a graphically enhanced port to Amiga with more comfortable mouse controls.
Tchey Sep 15, 2022
I say it often, but again, clean readable pretty 2D is so much better and ageless than any 3D attempts, for HOMM and too many other games trying to "be modern"...
Bumadar Sep 15, 2022
Quoting: Lightkey
Quoting: BumadarHave the might and magic games ever gotten a modern engine/gfx etc ?

Loved those way back in the days when you would get a code and adress after completing the game and sending a letter to them you would get you an official certificate by post 4 weeks later for completing the game :)

Oooh and how might and magic IV and V created the world of xeen, that was like the most amazing thing ever :)

DreamMaster wrote an engine for Might and Magic IV/V in ScummVM and as far as graphics go, maybe not modern but he's currently working on an engine for Might and Magic: Book One to use the graphics of the Xeen games.

Thank you !!
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