While we are often reluctant to cover a game that has not been announced for the Mac OS, such coverage does serve a purpose -- it increases the visibility of that game within the Mac community, and thus increases the chances of this game either being ported or succeeding once it finally arrives. One game we think stands a very good chance of doing both of those is 3D0's Heroes of Might and Magic IV. A radical departure from the previous titles in the series in both looks and function, we suspect that this title will nevertheless contain the deft mix of RPG and turn-based strategy that made it such a hit on both platforms. GameSpot has posted a preview of the title, which isn't due until late Fall of this year, featuring an interview with associate designer Jennifer Bullard. Topics covered by the interview include gameplay changes, additions to combat and level scripting, and what makes this title part of the Heroes series despite the visible changes. The first two questions outline some key issues:

GameSpot: Heroes of Might and Magic IV will follow in the footsteps of its successful predecessors, but it looks to be significantly different in several key areas. What do you think is the biggest difference between Heroes IV and the previous installments?

Jennifer Bullard: Heroes now actively fight on the battlefield. Previously, heroes lent their support from the sidelines and weren't all that different from each other, but now they are part of the army. You can also have more than one hero in an army, so you could very well have several heroes on a battlefield, working in unison. With this change, players are going to have the opportunity to see if their knights can really kill a black dragon or if their necromancer can take down an angel.

GS: What's the premise of the game? How many single-player campaigns and scenarios will be included?

JB: There are going to be seven campaigns and about two dozen single-scenario maps. Heroes IV will begin with the destruction of the old world and follow the exploration and construction of new kingdoms in the new world, Axeoth. Our main campaign follows Emilia Nighthaven as she rises from peasant to queen of the new nation Great Arcan and struggles against the immortal King Gavin Magnus as he tries to usurp her throne.

News: Mac Heroes IV a Possibility?

Heroes of Might and Magic IV Interview, Preview at GameSpot

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