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| Thread: Free Heroes of Might and Magic II 0.8 release |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 · «PREV / NEXT» |
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sirDranik
Adventuring Hero
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posted March 11, 2022 09:41 AM |
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Dear players and fans of Heroes of Might and Magic 2!
We are extremely happy to announce a new version of fheroes2 project - 0.9.13.
https://github.com/ihhub/fheroes2/releases/tag/0.9.13
After a month of hard work and many hours spent on the project we as always have something to show. This release is a special as it contains a very unique feature - text support for people with vision issues. Enabling this mode makes the game to output all necessary information in a text format within a console window. Such data can be easily read by any text-to-speech conversion tool giving players the ability to enjoy the game. This feature is still in progress.
Next, we added popup windows within campaign scenario window, especially for awards and scenario choices. Many players don't know what these items mean and guessing is not a right way to make a proper choice. Now you can right click on them to get extra description of the item.
We also made a lot of changes in AI behavior: it became more rational in hero recruitment, developing castles, making tactical decisions during battles and on map. The team closed multiple sound and music related issues like missing sounds for some objects on map or incorrect music being played for a terrain.
Moreover, we introduced scalable scrollbars within the whole game. Now it is more intuitive to understand how many items are in a list. We also reworked most of dialogs: now icons within standard dialogs are clickable by a right mouse button so players can get more information about a specific artifact, spell or even resource while interacting with an object.
Lastly, we added Czech language support for the official version of HoMM2 so players can finally get full information from maps made for this version of the game. Besides this, the team fixed multiple general translation issues.
As usual, the team fixed more than 50 bugs of an old project and improved tons of code for future changes.
We hope that you would enjoy the game and thanks a lot for your enormous support!
You could also support the project development on Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/fheroes2
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sirDranik
Adventuring Hero
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posted April 11, 2022 08:35 PM |
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Dear players and fans of Heroes of Might and Magic 2!
Another month has passed and as usual we are presenting to you a new version of fheroes2 project - 0.9.14!
https://github.com/ihhub/fheroes2/releases/tag/0.9.14
We are getting close to 1.0 release and putting all efforts to make it happen as soon as possible.
In this release the team made huge changes in translation support. We added in-game font generation for Norwegian and Italian languages and also updated most of translations.
Additionally, we fixed Battle Only button for many languages.
Artifact based logic and code was completely reworked fixing many places of incorrect effects from artifacts and even missing bonuses. Artifact related logic works exactly as in the original code. With new changes it would be very easy to add new artifacts into the game or modify their abilities opening huge possibilities for modding.
AI has become smarter as well! We optimized AI decisions on spells, castle construction priorities and AI now can use Dimension Door... Do not be surprised if an AI hero may jump out from nowhere.
We also fixed multiple issues with monster growth, surrender cost and movement logic during battles. On top of this the team completed work for native macOS application support but we need to sort out digital signing for it.
Lastly, we added support for MP3 and FLAC in-game music file formats.
As usual the team fixed more than 50 bugs since the last release.
We really hope that you would enjoy the game!
You could also support the project development on Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/fheroes2
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gnollking
Supreme Hero
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posted April 12, 2022 12:26 AM |
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Blake00
Known Hero
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posted April 15, 2022 12:08 PM |
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Armfelt
Tavern Dweller
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posted April 18, 2022 09:21 PM |
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I just stumbled upon this thread while checking if there are any mod of this game, and it seems like you have done an amazing job! Can't wait to try this at home! 
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sirDranik
Adventuring Hero
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posted April 20, 2022 10:26 AM |
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Thanks! We hope the community will enjoy our project.
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sirDranik
Adventuring Hero
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posted May 09, 2022 04:15 PM |
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Dear fans, players and supporters of Heroes of Might and Magic II!
Another month of our team productive work has passed and we are announcing fheroes2 0.9.15!
https://github.com/ihhub/fheroes2/releases/tag/0.9.15
This release is filled with new features introduced recently.
First of all, we added missing Black & White cursor support to fheroes2. Now some players can enjoy the perfection of monochrome graphics.
Secondly, the team fully redesigned hotkey integration and added a separate window where players can check all hotkeys used in the game.
Speaking of windows in the game: we expanded the configuration window so players can tune sound and music directly within the Main Menu, and also to access Hotkeys window, toggle cursor type and even toggle Text Support Mode which was added some time ago.
Besides the usual work on polishing campaigns and fixing any issues within them we upgraded the popup windows for awards and bonuses in the campaign window. Now every player would know what to expect and how to plan the strategy to win the next scenario.
AI has not limits for perfection! In this release AI got to know View All spell usage giving it an advantage to see everything on the map (btw, same applies for humans). AI heroes are more keen to explore and uncover more areas instead of roaming around castles and open territory. Moreover, AI heroes can now properly navigate within narrow paths and they better manage mana consumption.
The range of supported languages is expanding too! In this release we added Ukrainian language with basic translation work being done. More work is ahead but this is a start. Other translations were not left untouched: we updated French, Russian, Polish and Norwegian languages.
And as usual the team polished the game by fixing numerous bugs with logic and drawings.
We hope that you would enjoy the game even more!
Thank you so much for supporting this project!
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Wind_Falcon
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 04, 2022 06:07 PM |
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Eagerly waiting for the 1.0 version.
Is there a chance for an optional in-game setting to be added for limiting or even expanding the number of heroes a player/CPU can have? That would be very useful for custom maps and some experimentation.
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baronus
Legendary Hero
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posted June 04, 2022 10:00 PM |
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Its modding. They said that modding tool is planed in future. More cities spells abilities and other options.
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sirDranik
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 05, 2022 03:16 PM |
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Wind_Falcon said:
Eagerly waiting for the 1.0 version.
Is there a chance for an optional in-game setting to be added for limiting or even expanding the number of heroes a player/CPU can have? That would be very useful for custom maps and some experimentation.
Open game engine allows to implement any new mechanic or change the existing rules. Depending on community demand there could be added a certain number of new features and game modes.
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Wind_Falcon
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 05, 2022 03:40 PM |
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My open source game clone gold standard is OpenXcom, and they have a whole bunch of toggleable in-game settings that go beyond the vanilla game.
Meaning if you want to play the game 100% as it was back in the day - you can, but if you want to try playing with some interesting but minor tweaks, you can do that too.
I think something like that (changing the hero restriction number to whatever the player/map maker wants, maybe even per colour/faction) would be very easy to implement, rather than stuff like new towns, enemies, abilities etc. (which I personally don't care for at all, I can go play HotA if I wanted that, or even orzie's mod).
The two biggest things which might take a big chunk of time or some more comprehensive discussion regarding HII and bigger modifications is unit balance (it can potentially break the campaigns and maps, including the fan created ones, so again it should be toggleable at the very least) and potentially copying over the artifact paper doll system from HIII. I personally don't want the hero specialties and new secondary skills. They fall mainly into either a couple of OP ones or a sea of entirely useless ones, so I think it's just a giant waste of time to try and balance them, and if you try a new approach then most people will complain just because it's not what HIII did. I like how in HII there is less random chance for the player to badly scuff a hero than in HIII.
So yeah I'm talking about small optional tweaks which should be extremely easy to implement (you have to give people some minor 'new' thing in order to entice them to try the source port after all, imo), rather than big stuff. I Like HII as it is. For example I will be very mad if I see the magic system being changed. Having an option to play with the new spells from HIII might be cool (especially if you can pick and choose which spells you want, rather than all or nothing), as long as there is no Earth, Air etc. Magic secondary skills and mass spells remain separate from the single target ones.
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sirDranik
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 05, 2022 04:36 PM |
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Wind_Falcon said:
I think something like that (changing the hero restriction number to whatever the player/map maker wants, maybe even per colour/faction) would be very easy to implement, rather than stuff like new towns, enemies, abilities etc. (which I personally don't care for at all, I can go play HotA if I wanted that, or even orzie's mod).
The two biggest things which might take a big chunk of time or some more comprehensive discussion regarding HII and bigger modifications is unit balance (it can potentially break the campaigns and maps, including the fan created ones, so again it should be toggleable at the very least) and potentially copying over the artifact paper doll system from HIII. I personally don't want the hero specialties and new secondary skills. They fall mainly into either a couple of OP ones or a sea of entirely useless ones, so I think it's just a giant waste of time to try and balance them, and if you try a new approach then most people will complain just because it's not what HIII did. I like how in HII there is less random chance for the player to badly scuff a hero than in HIII.
So yeah I'm talking about small optional tweaks which should be extremely easy to implement (you have to give people some minor 'new' thing in order to entice them to try the source port after all, imo), rather than big stuff. I Like HII as it is. For example I will be very mad if I see the magic system being changed. Having an option to play with the new spells from HIII might be cool (especially if you can pick and choose which spells you want, rather than all or nothing), as long as there is no Earth, Air etc. Magic secondary skills and mass spells remain separate from the single target ones.
Currently, we're focused on re-creating the original game. fheroes2 project originally was developed by other team and we had to rework almost every single code part to make it work properly (we're still in a process of fixing old bugs and adding missing features).
So, we're preparing the engine for future changes. But here I want to note, that we're aware of adding numerous features and adjustments. This is an example of bad game design and can easily scare away lots of potential players. Yes, adding new features and modes is an essential step of improving the game, but it should be made thoughtfully. Every single person has his own "wish list" of features and the development team will never finish satisfying all those needs. So all new global features will be added on a strong demand from the community. Or according to the vision of the current development team. Also, don't forget, that fheroes2 is an open source, so anyone can make it's own mod with his rules.
Talking about unit balance - changing the existing values is not a friendly approach and this will always break something or simply can be offended by the community. Such modding is more suitable for geeks, but not the average player.
I personally don't like the idea of adding hero doll for artifacts. H2 and H3 are still two different games, that give different experience to players. There's no point of making H2 the same to H3. H2 artifact bag has its own pros and cons, which player should count on.
Anyway, modding support is among our plans. You just need to wait a bit. Or try to help with the project.
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Wind_Falcon
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 05, 2022 08:15 PM |
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Well I wrote all that because I don't understand what you mean by modding support.
Do you mean small optional tweaks, OpenXcom style?
Do you mean bigger changes to the base game (balance, trying to implement features from HIII/other games/entirely new ones)?
Do you mean new content to go into the vanilla game (towns, enemies, spells, abilities, map objects etc.)?
Do you mean a new expansion where you can play the old game as is or opt into a new experience that doesn't have optional features, you either opt into everything or nothing?
In a world of ERA, HotA, VCMI, and now Hero's Hour and Songs of Conquest I think it's a fools errand to try and fish for new players for Heroes II. The goal should be to give to Heroes II what the HD Mod gave to Heroes III so that the people that already like HII can play it without the rough edges of missing Quality of Life features like quick army management shortcuts etc. The small tweaks have the benefit of being optional and easy to implement effort- and time-wise, going into bigger stuff is wading into the weeds, as like you said everyone will have a different idea of what idea should be implemented and then how exactly it should be executed. I don't see the benefit of that, only thing it will bring is splintering the tiny player base even further. I think the opposite should be done - everyone to play on the same platform and relatively same style, hence the opting in or out of any feature that deviates from vanilla. And really only very minor things can be implemented in such a way (for example new towns and units, balance, paper doll or a new features, or whatever else can't - that's too big of a deviation that will have unforeseen consequences when playing).
What exactly do you think are the weaknesses of the HII's design? Because outside of balance (which is more of a competitive multiplayer issue, I think the balance as it is now is perfectly fine for singleplayer, it gives you more replayability since playing the same map again with a different town is more different in HII than in HIII thanks to the radical differences in the towns) and the paper doll for artifacts I really don't think anything else needs changing for example. Adding 6 or more unit slots, making the battlefield bigger in terms of hexes, changing the magic system etc. are all things that will diminish my enjoyment of HII for example.
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sirDranik
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 06, 2022 12:13 PM |
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When talking about modding support I meant first of all project code itself. Our development team changes the code base, so it will help with future modifying of the existing mechanics or even implementing new ones.
Besides, there will be added some balance modding out of the box, so modders could play with some stats and values of the game.
Open engine itself is a source of modding, so I believe, there could appear lots of mods from other enthusiasts. Some people in our discord channel have already made some mods, trying the engine even in its unfinished state.
Current development team is going to release its own expansion based on fheroes2 engine, where new campaign and some new features will be implemented, as if they could be implemented by original H2 developers. The goal is not to change the existing rules or turning H2 into H3 (I mean adding all the same features from the H3), but to gently improve gaming experience leaving H2 unique style and expanding the original ideas of the original Heroes 2 game.
Wind_Falcon said:
In a world of ERA, HotA, VCMI, and now Hero's Hour and Songs of Conquest I think it's a fools errand to try and fish for new players for Heroes II.
Actually, the community mostly grew up on H3, so lots of players know about Heroes 2, but never played it. Also, fheroes2 project is going to be released on mobile platforms, so I'm 100% sure, lots of new players will try Heroes turn-based strategy for the first time.
Wind_Falcon said:
The goal should be to give to Heroes II what the HD Mod gave to Heroes III so that the people that already like HII can play it without the rough edges of missing Quality of Life features like quick army management shortcuts etc.
Fheroes2 already contains the majority of this QoL features. But we still haven't implemented all of planned features yet. One of our goals for 1.0 release is to make the game as comfortable and user-friendly for a player, as possible. No matter if this is an old Heroes games player, or the person for the first time trying turn-based strategies. We've already greatly expanded the number of info windows for all GUI elements of the game.
Wind_Falcon said:
which is more of a competitive multiplayer issue, I think the balance as it is now is perfectly fine for singleplayer, it gives you more replayability since playing the same map again with a different town is more different in HII than in HIII thanks to the radical differences in the towns
100% agree with you.
Wind_Falcon said:
outside of balance and the paper doll for artifacts I really don't think anything else needs changing for example.
So here we return again to the statement, that every player has his own vision. Actually, I hear such complains regarding artifact system for the first time. It's the original feature of H2 and adding "hero doll" will completely change the rules. I don't say, it's a bad idea. It would be quite interesting to try such modification, and some geeks will definitely love this feature, but to my mind, with this feature H2 will loose its uniqueness.
Wind_Falcon said:
The small tweaks have the benefit of being optional and easy to implement effort- and time-wise, going into bigger stuff is wading into the weeds, as like you said everyone will have a different idea of what idea should be implemented and then how exactly it should be executed. I don't see the benefit of that, only thing it will bring is splintering the tiny player base even further. I think the opposite should be done - everyone to play on the same platform and relatively same style, hence the opting in or out of any feature that deviates from vanilla.
Current development team will be mostly focused on a classic-like expansion, so adding new, game-changing features could happen only later, even within a separate mod.
The team doesn't like the idea of changing or balancing the existing game objects/items. The most friendly approach here is to expand the game with something new, without reworking the original ideas. So, the expansion will have 99% of the original game ideas + bringing something new, making the game more diverse and exciting.
Wind_Falcon said:
What exactly do you think are the weaknesses of the HII's design?
I personally love Heroes 2 as it is. The only missing thing for H2 is the lack of support of the original developers. The game is full of graphical flaws and logical bugs, that should have been fixed long time ago. Within fheroes2 project we've already fixed some of them, but still lots of work left with all that stuff. As I said before, H2 is really nice and unique game, and the future expansion won't turn this game into something different. In my personal point of view, Heroes 2 lacks only diversity. I believe, expanding the range of artifacts, map objects and probably some new creatures will make this game much more replayable rather than uncontrolled changing the existing game or adding of controversial mechanics. Even so, each new item we're going to implement into the game, even the smallest artifact, will be thoughtfully and carefully reviewed from the point of lore, game balance and visual implementation.
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Wind_Falcon
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 06, 2022 01:19 PM |
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I think a minor tweak that can help the artifact system is to just implement a backpack. The slots for active artifacts can stay the same, just have a backpack like in HIII, without a paper doll system (even though I like that in HIII).
While I agree that more diversity can greatly benefit HII, the problem with new artifacts and map objects etc. is that all the old maps won't have those, so you really need an active mapping community to take advantage of these new feature, and I just don't see that happening.
Not to mention if you add new artifacts to say Dragon Utopia it can ruin the balance of old maps.
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sirDranik
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 06, 2022 01:47 PM |
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Wind_Falcon said:
I think a minor tweak that can help the artifact system is to just implement a backpack. The slots for active artifacts can stay the same, just have a backpack like in HIII, without a paper doll system (even though I like that in HIII).
What about cursed artifact system? Heroes2 has artifacts, that bring negative effect to hero. If we implement backpack - all players will definitely store such artifacts there.
Prohibition on placing such artifacts there looks not accurate, as it'll be not obvious, why do some artifacts could be placed there, and others could not.
Original Heroes 2 game has one essential ideological difference from H3: it's the game of compromises. You have to choose, which troops to hire, and which to leave in a city; You need to decide, whether your hero take all artifacts in his limited inventory, or leave some free slots to be ready to capture new ones. It's the feature, so changing it turns this game into something different, which doesn't fit our strategy on expanding the game.
Wind_Falcon said:
While I agree that more diversity can greatly benefit HII, the problem with new artifacts and map objects etc. is that all the old maps won't have those, so you really need an active mapping community to take advantage of these new feature, and I just don't see that happening.
Within our expansion we're going to implement new map editor, which will improve mapmaking bringing it into next level, making it possible to adjust each object. The next step will be random map generation, which will place all new objects and items according to the rule we set.
Nevertheless, original map editor allows to place not a certain artifact, but random one, so new artifacts could appear even on older maps.
Wind_Falcon said:
Not to mention if you add new artifacts to say Dragon Utopia it can ruin the balance of old maps.
Dragon Utopia... These are the words of experienced Heroes 3 player. 
Dragon Utopia in Heroes 2 simply allows hero to hire Red Dragons. No artifacts or tons of gold are stored there.
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Wind_Falcon
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 06, 2022 02:10 PM |
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I think not being able to move a cursed artifact to the backpack is perfectly acceptable.
Like I said - this should be an optional tweak. If its optional it won't "change the game into something different".
I don't like how you are implying that changes that are approved by you or the fheroes2 team are automatically good and should be accepted by everyone, but changes originating not from the team change the game too much and are bad. Because "very few people want it" (the fheroes2 are "very few people" as well).
So again, the focus should be not so much on what, but on it being optional. No one can complain then.
I know you can place random artifacts in the map editor, which is again one way old maps can be ruined by adding new artifacts.
It's called something else in HII (I think it's just Dragon City but I might be mistaken), though I forget all the time that it doesn't give artifacts in HII, I've had several times where I go there and get disappointed in recent times lmao. I play HII more, but I definitely watch HIII way more than I actually play either game nowadays.
I would rather see smaller tweaks like the artifact backpack and limiting number of heroes you can hire that the player can fiddle with whatever which way they like than new content, personally. Like I said, if I wanted new content I would go play HotA, ERA, HH, SoC etc. When I sit for a HII game I want HII as it was back in the day + quality of life and to have the option to tweak minor things at my discretion (no all or nothing options, you get no new artifacts or you get 100 of which you like 20 and hate 80).
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baronus
Legendary Hero
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posted June 06, 2022 04:37 PM |
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Edited by baronus at 16:38, 06 Jun 2022.
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baronus
But first is to make original game full working. Eg. adding new city if AI is stupid is not sensible. I think that first step after engine build finishig is adding all H3 and H4 upgrades eg. underground skills, unit abilities, battle fighting heroes etc.
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sirDranik
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 07, 2022 10:21 AM |
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Maybe my poor English made a slight misunderstanding between us.
I try to explain in other words once again.
Fheroes2 - is open engine, so anyone can easily create his own game mode or modification.
Currently we're working on the engine itself, to make it 99% same to the original game. After 1.0 release our own separate add-on is going to appear, which will show the community our vision of classic-like expansion as well as the potential of the engine. For the early start this expansion will not show any drastic and game breaking features and tweaks, but this doesn't prevent other versions and mods from being created by other enthusiasts. Probably in future, our team would like to implement even the "hero doll" and many other features. It even could be a separate version of the engine with dozens of tweaks and features. But for the nearest year we're mostly focused on engine and expansion.
Wind_Falcon said:
I don't like how you are implying that changes that are approved by you or the fheroes2 team are automatically good and should be accepted by everyone, but changes originating not from the team change the game too much and are bad.
I told you before, that the "doll" system you've proposed is not bad at all.
Wind_Falcon said:
I would rather see smaller tweaks like the artifact backpack...
This requires lots of work: new art, adding new GUI elements to hero info window, new logic for cursed artifacts and bag. We have to decide how many slots the doll should have etc. This not a trivial task in any means. But in future it, for sure, could be implemented, especially if you provide detailed logic for every aspect of this enhancement to us or any other modding enthusiast.
Right now we're not working on any game-changing tweaks, so there're no changes, that we approve or not. So you shouldn't blame me on rejecting other people's ideas, since we're not adding any new game content. I just want to tell you, that such complex ideas will be discussed later. Implementing such ideas before fixing issues and bugs is wrong approach.
Wind_Falcon said:
I would rather see smaller tweaks like the artifact backpack and limiting number of heroes you can hire that the player can fiddle with whatever which way they like than new content, personally. Like I said, if I wanted new content I would go play HotA, ERA, HH, SoC etc. When I sit for a HII game I want HII as it was back in the day + quality of life and to have the option to tweak minor things at my discretion (no all or nothing options, you get no new artifacts or you get 100 of which you like 20 and hate 80).
On one hand you insist, that Heroes 2 doesn't need any new content, being nice game without anything new. You want some small tweaks, but on the contrary you want to add new artifact system, drastically changing the rules of the whole game and requiring much work to implement.
Okay...
Wind_Falcon said:
So again, the focus should be not so much on what, but on it being optional. No one can complain then.
Implementing each idea, making it optional will turn H2 into something similar to WOG.
We already have a list of 100+ features and tweaks from fans and supporters. The list is so small just because we asked them to stop for a while. Each person has tons of nice ideas, but dev team will work for years to implement them all.
In My personal point of view: each idea should be discussed if it has a potential for players. Only best of the best should be implemented. Otherwise, the game will turn into a countless tables, options, tweaks etc., where the majority of players will sink.
Unless each modder will make his own mod and introduce it to the community with the number of options HE likes the most. (And again, in this case a particular maintainer will decide which features will include his version, and which will not) That's how H3 actually evolves. And I really like it! For multiplayer or classic-like gameplay there exists HoTa. For some insane tweaks and game-changing features, scripts etc. there's a WOG. Each player decides on his own, what Heroes game to play.
I'm not telling you, we're not going to implement such ideas. I want you to understand, it's simply too early to work on such features.
Wind_Falcon said:
I know you can place random artifacts in the map editor, which is again one way old maps can be ruined by adding new artifacts.
If we're talking here about future expansion, there won't be added such artifacts, that can break the game. For instance: the bag, that brings 99 black dragons each day to your army - is not an artifact you'd see in the game.
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baronus
Legendary Hero
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posted June 08, 2022 02:04 PM |
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I want to ask about old fheroes2 engine. I used mod options by altresources on/of switching in config file. Is this option working on current version?
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