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Heroes of Might and Magic Online

Edit Summary: Deeper article with inline citations incl. Chinese sources; the 2008/2009 launch-date conflict stated; no manual Sources list.

Heroes of Might and Magic Online (英雄无敌在线) was a free-to-play 2.5D online role-playing game for the Chinese market, developed by TQ Digital Entertainment and published by NetDragon Websoft under licence from Ubisoft[1]. It was set in the world of Heroes III — the continent of Antagarich[1][1].

History

  • Ubisoft China and TQ Digital announced the deal on 8 October 2004 in Shanghai; a Chinese release was planned for 2005, and Ubisoft spoke of joining Asian gameplay with a Western series[1][1].
  • A closed beta began in December 2007, with launch set for the second quarter of 2008[1][1].
  • English Wikipedia dates the launch 30 May 2008[1]; Chinese sources date its open beta 8 July 2009[1].
  • An English version took closed-beta sign-ups from April 2010, ran a closed beta from 7 May to 9 June 2010 and opened on 11 June 2010[1][1][1]. It was open only to Asian IP addresses, because TQ's licence covered Asia[1][1].

How it played

  • Three layers: a shared world played in real time, a strategic map like Heroes III, and turn-based tactical battles[1][1].
  • Eight factions and 56 unit types in all, with four magic schools[1][1]; the 2010 press release added 16 classes, a ten-chapter campaign, a town prestige system, guild wars and PvP[1].
  • Its world and story were not part of the series' canon[1].

Reception

Multiplayer.it found the core mechanics solid but the isometric graphics dated, capped at 1024×768, and called it free to play yet tilted towards payers[1]. Game Informer advised readers to approach cautiously[1]. A Chinese retrospective blames growing pay-to-win for its decline[1].

Closure

The game shut down on 31 March 2014[1][1]. Chinese press reported players' explanations — little room to earn, and Ubisoft taking back the rights — rather than an official reason[1].

Not to be confused with

  • Might & Magic Heroes Online — a different browser game by Ubisoft Blue Byte, released in 2014 and closed in December 2020[1]; see its forum board.
  • Might and Magic: Heroes Kingdoms — Ubisoft's own real-time browser strategy game of 2009–2014.

Discussion: the game's forum board.