3DO sent us two early screenshots from Might and Magic IX, the next game in its venerable role-playing game series. The new screens show off two of the 3D environments that will appear in the LithTech-powered game, along with a view of what the game interface will look like.
Might and Magic IX is in development at New World Computing, the developer that created the previous games in the Might and Magic series, and it is tentatively scheduled for release in early 2002.
Ambitious heroes are sure to be disappointed when they head online to join a Legends of Might and Magic server. They are far from overpopulated and it’s not really surprising. I’m sure many gamers experienced the same feelings that I experienced when first playing the game. It was fun to run around in the first few contests but the action got stale pretty quick. A lack of creativity pretty much sums it all up. Whether with respect to classes, weapons, maps, or ideas in general, there’s not a whole lot to brag about. The potential is certainly there for an intriguing experience, but a lack of inspiration eventually spells the demise of Legends of Might and Magic.
Wollen wir hoffen, dass MM9 und Heroes 4 deutlich bessere Wertungen erfahren.In conclusion, Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven gives the player an enormous amount of chewy, crunchy RPG goodness. After giving my poor mouse hand a rest, I'm eager to tackle VII and VIII.
Mich hat es übrigens sehr gefreut, dass RPGDot in seinen News auf die Download-Area hinweist, die ich gestern endgültig online gestellt habe. Danke!Expected Ship Date: Winter 2001
HIGH CONCEPT
One of the most highly acclaimed Fantasy RPG franchise is about to get even better. Might and Magic IX - Writ of Fate will immerse the RPG player in a fully interactive 3D fantasy world. For the first time the player will be able to decide on either being the savior bringing peace to the world or an evil doer that extends chaos to the rest of the realm. As in keeping with Jon Van Caneghem's rich storytelling, there is more than meets the eye in this latest edition. Might and Magic IX: Writ of Fate will utilize the LithTech version 2.5 engine from Monolith. In this first person RPG, New World Computing is expanding the Might and Magic brand to another new world while staying true to the traditions of the Might and Magic universe.
RPG gamers will enjoy over 60 hours of in depth 3D game play. Create a party of 4 PCs and hire up to 3 NPCs that actually join in your battle for the unification of the land of Cheh'dian.
STORY
The adventure begins with a player's adventure party voyages from Cheh'dian to Mendossus to gather fresh supplies. The boat they are traveling on crashes into the Isle of Ashes in the middle of the Verhoffin Sea. You and the rest of the survivors are scattered amongst the wreckage. Once you have re-assembled what is left of your team your fate soon unravels and you must reunite the 6 clans of the Cheh'dian against invading hordes from the west.
Highlights Key Features
All New Game Engine:
- The first fully 3D interactive RPG Might and Magic game
- All new Spell Combat system to insure maximum effect.
- Eight character classes, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
- Tool Tips for identifying screen objects
- Streamlined intuitive interface
- 10 continents epic proportion to explore with over 40 hand tuned dungeons
- 23 Skills to customize your characters abilities
Over 60 Challenging Quests:
- 26 Promotion Quests
- 21 Secondary Quests
- 20 Mainline Quests
"Refinements" may be too weak a word, though - "wholesale changes" might be a better description. I had the extreme pleasure of fooling around with the game engine, albeit in a beta stage.
The graphics, for one, have been updated. As Heroes III improved upon Heroes II's cartoony visuals, Heroes IV is much more bright and vibrant than III's. While it is more "real" than III's, though, it brings back some of the colorfulness from II. In addition, the max resolution of IV is at 1280x1024 - and the higher the resolution, the more information can be seen on the screen.
There is also a greater range of terrain - including some odd magic terrain that looks sort of like blue fishnet - they did not explain what the effect of that terrain was, though. However, the terrain now has more of an effect on creatures travelling on it, according to the development team.
The other effect is in the town screens - whatever the terrain a town lies on is reflected in the town screen - unlike, say, the way the Tower was always on snow-covered peaks, even when it lay within a lava terrain. Additionally, all of the buildings are now in the same positions, regardless of the town - this eliminates the "hunt-and-search" looking for buildings in the earlier editions.
Aus organisatorischen Gründen können alle Patches und Files ab sofort direkt hier auf der Might & Magic - Portalsite heruntergeladen werden.
Dadurch ist es für mich wesentlich einfacher, die gesamten Downlaods zu verwalten und Ihr habt eine bessere Übersicht, was es an Downloads zu den verschiedenen Games der Reihe gibt. Ich hoffe auf Euer Verständnis.
...There have been some concerns posted of late about the actual combat system for MM9. No need to be concerned. The combat remains fundamentally the same as MM6 - MM8.
From the design team:
"We want to reassure our fans we are making an RPG in the classic style that Might and Magic has always been known for. We are definitely NOT making an action game. Here is what we meant by "action oriented": By refining the AI and some parts of the combat system, which is nearly unchanged from the MM6 - MM8 combat system, combat should be more exciting this time around. For those more strategic players, there will still be a choice between real-time and turn-based combat. Thank you and goodnight!"
So, no worries!