| Heroes of Might and Magic | |
|---|---|
 Logo for the series | |
| Genre(s) | Turn-based strategy |
| Developer(s) | New World Computing (1995-2003) Nival Interactive (for Heroes V) Black Hole Entertainment (for Heroes VI) Limbic Entertainment (for Heroes VI and VII) Virtuos (for Shades of Darkness) |
| Publisher(s) | New World Computing (1995-1996) The 3DO Company (1996-2003) Ubisoft (2003-) |
| Creator(s) | Jon Van Caneghem |
| Platform(s) | DOS, Windows, Mac OS, RISC OS, Linux, Game Boy Color |
| First release | Heroes of Might and Magic 1995 |
| Latest release | Might & Magic Heroes VII 2015 |
| Parent series | Might and Magic |
| Spin-offs | List |
Heroes of Might and Magic, known as Might & Magic Heroes since 2011, is a series of video games 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 3DO and again when 3DO closed down and sold the rights to Ubisoft.[1] The games feature turn-based, fantasy-themed conflicts in which players control armies of mythical creatures. The series began in 1995 with the release of the first title. A seventh installment, Might & Magic Heroes VII, was released on September 29, 2015.[2]
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. Black Hole Entertainment developed its sequel Might & Magic Heroes VI. Still, Limbic Entertainment developed later patches and the DLC, as well as Might & Magic Heroes VII. Virtuos developed the Shades of Darkness standalone expansion for Heroes VI.
The series is directed primarily at the DOS and Windows platforms, with sporadic support for macOS over the years. In addition to Windows and Mac platforms, Heroes II was ported to RISC OS[3] and Heroes III was ported to Linux.[4] GameTap carried the first four games in the series beginning in 2006.[5] Remakes have also appeared in Game Boy Color.
- ^ "Ubisoft Entertainment SA acquires 3DO Co-Heroes of Might & Magic from 3DO Co". The Alacra Store. December 23, 2003. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
- ^ "Might & Magic Heroes VI will be released on October 13th". Ubisoft. August 5, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ "Heroes of Might and Magic 2". www.arsvcs.demon.co.uk. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
- ^ "Heroes III ported to Linux". Loki Software, Inc. October 28, 2000. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
- ^ "Heroes of Might and Magic Invade GameTap". GameZone. February 23, 2006. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009. Retrieved October 5, 2009.