How to play Heroes 3 HotA on MacOS with M1/M2 Apple
Thanks to Alexey, we have a great tutorial on how to play Windows games on M1/M2 Macs. I have no idea how MacOS works, but I hope this tutorial will help someone.
- You need Parallels Desktop with M1 support — https://www.parallels.com/ru/products/desktop/trial/
- Also you need an insider account on Microsoft web site to download WIN 11 for ARM — https://insider.windows.com/en-us/
- Then you need to download WIN 11 for ARM — https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewARM64
- Download Heroes 3 Horn of the Abyss
- Set compatibility mode for the game link (Properties→Compatibility→Compatibility mode→Run this program in compatibility mode with Windows 98; also there — Windows on ARM→Change Emulation Settings→In the dropdown, change «Default» to «Safe emulation»).
- When the game runs for the first time, Windows installs DirectPlay drivers
- Same post in Russian (original with images) — https://vk.com/topic-28951892_29066912?post=4297
Source: https://blog.bullgare.com/2021/09/heroes-3-on-macos-with-m1-apple-silicon/
WoG Folder – All HoMM mods, one cloud
Parallels is overkill. Just install Whiskey with homebrew and then follow this: https://docs.getwhisky.app/game-support/heroes3.html
Great, I’ll add this tutorial, thanks!
Hi, does anyone have a problem with the cursor refreshing in the game? Mine gets stuck and doesn’t change as it should, e.g when pointing it over an enemy on the map it doesn’t change to a sword but remains a horse as when you move on the map. Any suggestions?
I’m running HotA on Macbook Pro M1 with Parallels.
Thanks.
Also I should mention I am on a 16-inch Macbook Pro with the M1 Pro and 16 GB RAM
Any idea if this would work using VMWare instead of Parallels?
For sure, i’m the author of initial post on vk.com, please follow these instructions on youtube
install & setup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d5ntlJ_pkE
there is a new technical preview of VMWare, install it and download beta win 11 arm,
dont forget to setup comparability for heroes (win xp + safe)
Great, I updated the article and added a new video.
Thank you.
Awesome, thanks. The video is easy to follow and I was able to install Homm3 with Hota and the HD+ mod on Win11 and it runs great.
Hello, thanks for this guide. Since I can’t download Homm3 HotA without SoD or Complete, can you maybe show a guide on how to install either? I am having difficulty trying to install Complete via Parallels.
Hi Wuss, I’m so sorry, but I absolutely can’t help you with this, as I don’t have an Apple PC.
Try here: https://blog.bullgare.com/2021/09/heroes-3-on-macos-with-m1-apple-silicon/
Tried it a few months ago and faced the same problem. No damage is calculated/dealt during combat. I tried reinstalling everything several times, but couldn’t get past this issue.
Hey,
Great job! It works for me, but when i do combat no monsters inflict dmg.
Can you help?
Running:
Parallels 17.1.2.
Windows: Edition Windows 11 Pro
Version 22H2
Installed on 4/8/2022
OS build 22579.1
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22579.1.0
Ugh, so I haven’t encountered such a problem, could you make a short video? So I can find out more?
hi, just solved 1 damage attack on m1 air / windows 11 preview / parallels 17.1 / macOS 12.4 / pd runner 0.37 with “safe emulation” in compatibility advanced options.
mb air works fine, but heats and drain battery well (maybe because of rasterising method)
Hello,
I hope that you can help me. I have done all steps, which are mentioned, but when I start the Heroes, I have received az error message: This app can’t run on your PC. To find a version for your PC,check with the fostware publisher.
THank you in advance.
Hi, I’m sorry, but I absolutely can’t help you with this, as I don’t have an Apple PC.
Try here: https://blog.bullgare.com/2021/09/heroes-3-on-macos-with-m1-apple-silicon/