Might and Magic Heroes 6 Questions and Answers from Erwan Le Breton

As you remember I bade a fair to give you more information in some time after declaring the announcement of the novel game Might and Magic 6, but I am sure that no man expected it to happen very soon. Alongside with the press-release, the trailer, the screenshots and backstory to all the units and characters you will be regulating with the artwork they also dispatched this handy Questions and Answers just in case you wanted to know more. It does not matter who asks questions but the answers will be given by Erwan Le Breton, production director of Ubisoft.

1. Magic and Might Heroes 5 project work began 5 years ago. Why was it necessary so much time for making Heroes 6?
   Erwan: We have several reasons for such a long preparation period. Some of the reasons have pragmatic character, for instance because of the desire to have the perfect studio to succeed Nival. But the main reason put in the concept of the game itself. We have talked over everything and try to add some new characteristics to the idea of Heroes. I can compare Heroes with "a labour of love". For instance, when people eager to handle a gem; they do not observe the time. The development of Clash of Heroes as a DS game takes two years instead of 6-8 months.
2. Please make me believe, that you kept the turn-based rhythm. Will we have the possibility to enjoy playing in Hot Seat?
   Erwan: Heroes 6 is still a game based on the turn, the fundamental mode for players is hotseat.
3. Several players considered the Heroes 5 formula to be very similar to Heroes 3. What will be the differences of Heroes 6 from all the previous?
   Erwan: Heroes 6 have some unpredictable peculiarities that concern the adventure map and RPG such as the evolution and creation of heroes. We anticipate fans ?excitement when they will try the mix of innovations and unchanged elements, for example the Heroes mechanics.
4. Nival worked at Heroes 5 development. What were the reasons for changing the developer of Heroes 6?
   We investigated Nival's abilities in making Heroes 6 but faced some difficulties in finding the general vision on the project. Besides, at that time Nival was busy with Allods Online, a great project that captivated the majority of the team who had developed Heroes 5.
5. What prompted you to stop your choice on Black Hole as the developer of Heroes 6? What was their contribution to the project?
   Erwan: Before Heroes they worked at two big strategy games in fantasy style: Warhammer and Armies of Exigo. They developed Warhammer with Games Workshop, so they knew about specific franchise. Perhaps, they gave us the impression of their experience and talent during our first meeting. Their work while developing the game confirmed these characteristics. Moreover they are fond of Heroes.
6. Heroes fans are characterized by activity so they correct concrete "wish lists" for Heroes 6. Did Ubisoft take into consideration these remarks? Do you treat opinions of Heroes fans?
   Erwan: Almost since the first day we cooperated with the leaders and activists of the large Might and Magic fans community. Firstly we got some emails and organized some meetings so it results into a private forum. In it we discuss important peculiarities of the game, for instance art direction, vision and so on. All in all fans feedback influenced some design ideas.
7. Concerning artistic direction do you still cooperate with Olivier Ledroit?
   Erwan: His credit to Heroes 6 consisted of specific new art conceptions. His ideas about the game design were reflected in weapons and armors of heroes. The art style was developed by Ubisoft and Black Hole.
8. Heroes got fame also due to the soundtrack quality. Will Paul Romero and Rob King take part in the Heroes project?
   Erwan: Music plays the important part in this game, so we concentrated on it more than on other elements.
9. There were some evident similarities between Dark Messiah, Heroes 5, Clash of Heroes. Does the Heroes 6 repeat the same universe and continuity of the previous games?
   Erwan: In Heroes the world Ashan is described. This world is in all Might and Magic games beginning with Heroes 5. In Heroes 6 we show the time 400 years before Queen Isabel? war and the Dark Messiah? rise.
10. What similarities will Heroes 6 campaign have? Will it be necessary to play all the campaigns in a definite order like in Heroes 5?
    Erwan: In Heroes 6 each campaign is connected with definite group. They are linked but can be played in different order, in a separate way. Completion of all the campaigns results "great picture behind the scene".
11. Can we anticipate new creatures and factions in Heroes 6?
    Erwan: What concerning creatures and factions Heroes 6 is a mix of innovations and usual peculiarities. As an example, there is again a Haven with the knights of the Holy Light, crossbowmen and Angels, with added new creatures, which were not in the previous Heroes.
12. Will it be an exclusive only for PC?
    Erwan: Heroes 6 will remain its position as a PC game. But we are developing a Mac version