VCMI – Enhancing Heroes of Might and Magic III Experience

The developers of VCMI (Volunteers’ Collective Modding Initiative) have recently released version 1.4.0, introducing significant updates to the game. This release focuses on improving multiplayer functionality and overall gaming experience, catering to both new players and veterans of Heroes of Might and Magic. Beyond bug fixes, efforts were made to clarify certain menus, options, and descriptions to better meet player expectations.

One standout addition is the “Simultaneous Turns” feature, crucial for the PvP community. This feature offers various modes, including customizable turn durations. GUI enhancements include improvements to widgets like the grand spellbook, hero selection window, additional aids on the adventure map, and within the map browser. Savegame compatibility with various mods has seen further development, allowing users to load without needing the exact mod configuration. The new version introduces loading screens, completion screens, and high scores, all functional and reminiscent of those in Heroes of Might and Magic III.

For mobile users, an introductory tutorial mode has been added, recognizing the distinctiveness of the mobile version. Alongside these new features, the tutorial mode assists new players in understanding all functions of the mobile GUI. The map editor has also received updates, enabling customization of various object properties, facilitating map creation with VCMI content.

These changes not only enhance gameplay but also contribute to an improved gaming experience. Battle and adventure mechanics, the random map generator, and minor adjustments to the mod system have been fine-tuned. The VCMI community continues to grow, and developers remain committed to further refining the game. With numerous requested features in the pipeline, the developers are working diligently to provide an even better gaming experience.

VCMI is an open-source project aimed at re-implementing the game engine of Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia and its expansion, Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Shadow of Death, along with fan-made Heroes of Might and Magic III: In the Wake of Gods content. Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia, commonly known as Heroes III or HoMM3, is a turn-based strategy game set across seven playable campaigns on the continent of Antagarich. The game allows players to experience the story from various perspectives, playing roles in each city’s direction. In this version, the game introduced iOS as a new platform, and the map editor and network play options were completely rewritten for VCMI 1.1.

Before the events of Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven, King Roland Ironfist disappears, leaving his wife, Queen Catherine, to rule the empire. Meanwhile, Catherine’s father, King Nicolas Gryphonheart, is assassinated. Without their beloved king, the kingdom of Erathia falls into the hands of the dark forces of Nighon and Eeofol. Queen Catherine returns to Antagarich to gather her people and lead them against the evil that threatens to destroy their nation.

Download & Installation: For more details on the VCMI 1.4.0 release, refer to the [release notes](external link).

VCMI binaries can be downloaded for various systems:

• [Windows]
• [macOS]
• [Linux]
• [Android]
• [iOS]

Installation from PPA repository (latest 1.4.0 version): Add the following PPA repository in Software Sources:

ppa:vcmi/ppa

Save the settings, then search for “vcmi” in the Software Manager application to install or run the following commands in the terminal:

sudo apt install vcmi

For a complete command-line installation, run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:vcmi/ppa sudo apt update sudo apt install vcmi

Snap Installation:

sudo snap install --edge vcmi

Installation on Linux Mint Debian Edition and Debian systems: The stable VCMI version is available in the “contrib” repository. Enable it as described in the Debian Wiki. Install VCMI from the repository:

sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install vcmi

Additional Distributions:

• Gentoo: [Gentoo ebuild]
• Arch Linux: [vcmi]
• openSUSE: [1 Click Install]

Installing Older 0.99 Version: For the 0.99 version, use the Software Manager application or run the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install vcmi

Installing Heroes III Data Files: To install VCMI, you need the Heroes III: Shadow of Death or Complete edition.

Automatic Installation: Use the following commands for automated installation of Heroes 3 data:

For one or two CD-ROMs or CD-ROM images:

vcmibuilder --cd1 /path/to/iso/or/cd --cd2 /path/to/second/cd

For GOG.com installer:

vcmibuilder --gog /path/to/gog.com/installer

For the installed game directory:

vcmibuilder --data /path/to/h3/data

Choose only one of the above commands.

Heroes of Might and Magic III Overview: Heroes of Might and Magic III, developed and released by New World Computing in 1999, is the third installment in the Might and Magic series and the first in the Heroes of Might and Magic series.

The gameplay of Heroes of Might and Magic III is similar to its predecessors, involving turn-based strategy where players control various factions, developments, heroes, and units. The game features over 200 different units and heroes, more than 30 different factions, and over 50 different abilities. With over 30 quests and more than 20 different scenarios, the game gained immense popularity and won numerous awards. The Heroes of Might and Magic III remains popular today, with a dedicated player base continuing to enjoy the game.