Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Play me, my lord: Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms fires up an interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/play-me-my-lord-might-and-magic-heroes-kingdoms-fires-up-an-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/play-me-my-lord-might-and-magic-heroes-kingdoms-fires-up-an-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/play-me-my-lord-might-and-magic-heroes-kingdoms-fires-up-an-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Heroes of Might and Magic franchise has a long and rich history with PC gamers, although the series has somewhat fallen into obscurity as of late. Ubisoft is looking to thrust it back into the spotlight with the upcoming Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms, a Civilization-type title. We've been tracking MMHK since this year's E3, and recently MMOsite.com grabbed some facetime with Ubisoft's Chris Early about the game. (Note that this isn't the Heroes of Might and Magic Online that's also nearing release.)

A browser-based title imported from overseas, Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms encourages players to slowly build up a city (and later, cities) and interact with their neighbors. This can take the form of peaceful resource trading, hostile skirmishes, or large-scale strategy. While MMHK is set in the Might and Magic universe, the game differs from Heroes of Might and Magic's playstyle -- for example, combat is automatically resolved instead of turn-based. One of the most interesting features of the game is that it has a six-month cycle, after which winners are declared and the server resets for another grand struggle.

The interview spends a bit of time prodding Chris Early about the advantages -- and potential imbalance -- between free players and those who drop cash for advantages (such as more cities to control). Early claims that while paying players will have more options available, free players are still a significant force, especially if they specialize. You can read the whole interview over at MMOsite.com.

MassivelyPlay me, my lord: Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms fires up an interview originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browser-basedchris-earlye3e3-2010f2pfree-to-playHeroes-of-Might-and-Magicheroes-of-might-and-magic-mmoheroes-of-might-and-magic-mmorpgheroes-of-might-and-magic-onlinemight-and-magicmight-and-magic-heroes-kingdommight-and-magic-kingdomsmmhkmmosite.complay-me-my-lordubisoftWed, 21 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2010: Might and Magic Heroes Kingdom preview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-might-and-magic-heroes-kingdom-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-might-and-magic-heroes-kingdom-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-might-and-magic-heroes-kingdom-preview/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

On Tuesday, we caught up with Chris Early, Ubisoft's Vice President of Digital Publishing, to chat about Heroes of Might and Magic's future with a new browser-based MMO. I must admit, I'm personally a bit skeptical about whether browser-based games can supplant full-fledged applications, but after talking with Chris, I'm sold on the concept -- at least insofar as Might and Magic Heroes Kingdom is concerned.

First up, the basics. Just what is MMHK?
  • Ubisoft calls MMHK a "strategic casual MMO." It's turn-based with more of real-time strategy vibe than we've seen in other MMOs and it's designed with people who may only have a few minutes a day to play in mind. Think of something along the lines of multiplayer Civilization with thousands of other people and you'd be near the mark. Now, whether "casual" turns into hours of "just one more turn" is another matter entirely.
  • Gameplay and lore from the Might and Magic franchise we all know and love -- the goal with MMHK is just to throw more players into the mix.
  • Want PvP? You can do that. Want PvE? You can do that. Want to advance as a merchant-type character purely for the pursuit of wealth without killing your fellow players? You can do that, too.
  • Browser-based, which means you can play it on your PC, your Mac, or even your shiny new iPad -- wherever you've got an internet connection.This means there's no software to download or install.
  • Free to play with an optional subscription fee. (Though Ubisoft hasn't announced pricing for the game's North American release, it's currently live in France, where a monthly subscription runs five euros.)
If that sounds like something that might be up your alley, read on for more details.

Gallery: E3 2010: Might & Magic Heroes Kingdoms

Continue reading E3 2010: Might and Magic Heroes Kingdom preview

MassivelyE3 2010: Might and Magic Heroes Kingdom preview originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browser-basedbrowser-based-mmoe3e3-10e3-2010featuredheroes-of-might-and-magicheroes-of-might-and-magic-onlinehommmight-and-magicubisoftWed, 16 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft announces five new MMOs "in development"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/ubisoft-announces-five-new-mmos-in-development/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/ubisoft-announces-five-new-mmos-in-development/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/ubisoft-announces-five-new-mmos-in-development/#commentsFiled under: , ,

EA recently announced their controversial Online Pass program, a business model that looked pretty appealing to Ubisoft. CEO Yves Guillemot says that they are "looking very carefully at what EA is doing," so we will probably see them adopting a similar program in the future. The Online Pass program requires players to either purchase the games new, or pay EA $10 to unlock online content on used or rented games.

According to a recent report at Gamespot, that's not the only project going on at Ubisoft right now. While they are considering something similar to Online Pass for the future, the focus is more on the development side for the time being -- specifically the development of MMOs. They say they've got five free-to-play MMOs in the works, including the Heroes of Might and Magic MMO that we heard about last month. Heroes of Might and Magic, currently in closed beta, is the game we have the most information on, but we'll keep an eye out for news on the other four titles Ubisoft has planned.

MassivelyUbisoft announces five new MMOs "in development" originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAf2pfree-to-playgamespotheroes-of-might-and-magiconline-passubisoftyves-guillemotWed, 19 May 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Heroes of Might and Magic Online closed beta begins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/heroes-of-might-and-magic-online-closed-beta-begins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/heroes-of-might-and-magic-online-closed-beta-begins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/heroes-of-might-and-magic-online-closed-beta-begins/#commentsFiled under: ,

Back in the day, the Heroes of Might and Magic series was the definition of "just one more turn!" gameplay. Even in the face of real-time strategy titles, HoMaM stuck to their turn-based guns and challenged players to explore a fantasy land, conquer towns, build up armies, and survive the inevitable epic conflict.

Likewise, in the face of real-time 3D MMORPGs, Heroes of Might and Magic Online is holding tight to what made it so popular -- a lush isometric look coupled with turn-based exploration and combat. Hoping to recapture the players who loved the single-player titles -- and draw in a new crowd -- Ubisoft has announced the launch of the HoMaMO closed beta this past weekend.

The closed beta will end with a data wipe, per the results of a player survey, so no need to worry about getting off on the wrong foot. With eight factions to choose from and exciting PvE and PvP campaigns awaiting, the temptation to explore Heroes of Might and Magic Online may prove strong indeed.

MassivelyHeroes of Might and Magic Online closed beta begins originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 May 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Might and Magic franchise is coming to the MMORPG genre, courtesy of publishing giant Ubisoft and the Chinese development studio known as TQ Digital. The original Might and Magic series, considered by many to be a classic example of the early PC roleplaying game genre, was rebooted by Ubisoft in 2006 with Heroes of Might and Magic V, and later with Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.

The new MMORPG, Heroes of Might and Magic Online, is slated for closed beta in May 2010. The game will marry elements from an early entry in the franchise, Heroes of Might and Magic III, to the visual upgrades established in the last two Ubisoft games, culminating in a 2.5D massively multiplayer experience featuring a turn-based persistent world. (Perhaps similar to the 3D but turn-based Atlantica Online.)

The game will feature eight factions, sixteen classes, and a variety of campaign missions. Additionally, TQ Digital will be hosting a variety of PvP events, including Team PK, Extreme PK, and various Guild combat events. You can register for the closed beta as well as visit the official website, and don't forget to stay with Massively for more info on Heroes of Might and Magic Online as it becomes available.

MassivelyHeroes of Might and Magic Online beta announced originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaclosed-betaheroes-of-might-and-magicheroes-of-might-and-magic-mmoheroes-of-might-and-magic-mmorpghommhomm-mmohomm-mmorpgmight-and-magictq-digitalturn-basedubisoftThu, 15 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST