A new major release has been published. VCMI 1.5.0 sees the light of day. The main focus this time was on the online lobby. But also many other features were integrated and many bugs were fixed.

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VCMI

Heroes 3 Complete GOG version (works only with this version)

Android release is available on Google Play

Discord Channel

Online multiplayer support

VCMI now has an online lobby that can be used to set up multiplayer sessions. But you can also interact with other players. The lobby works on all platforms and regardless of firewall restrictions. It can be opened at any time on desktop systems with CTRL + Tab and on mobile platforms with a three-finger touch.

Additionally it is now possible to check towns/heroes during opponent player turn and bypass hero movement latency for non-host players by picking maximum hero speed in game options.

Better random maps

A new biome system for random maps has been integrated. This makes created maps look much more natural.

Also there are many different optimizations like properly random-looking zone edges, treasure/obstacle density tweaks and underground generation content tweaks leading to better zones.

AI optimizations

Nullkiller AI got notable speedup improvements, better handling of heroes with “patrol” set in map editor and some other fixes.

Most remaining campaign issues fixed

Many different problems and bugs related to campaigns have been fixed.

Basic game controllers support added

It is now possible to play VCMI with a game controller. Both on PC-based platforms and on mobile platforms.

Easier installation of game files from gog.com

We have now integrated innoextract into the launcher. This makes it very easy to extract the offline installer from gog.com (.exe and .bin file) for vcmi.

This function is currently available on all platforms except android. With the integration of the launcher in the next few weeks, the function will also be available there.

Artifact improvements

It is now possible to group several artifacts into sets. This feature is based on the costumes of the HD mod. With CTRL + [1]...[9] an artifact set can be saved, which can then be called with [1]...[9].

There are now also new shortcuts. ALT + Click on artifact slot moves artifact from/to backpack. CTRL + Click on artifact slot moves artifact to 2nd hero we are trading with.

Configurable keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shourtcuts are now configurable. However, currently only via the configuration file config/shortcutsConfig.json.

New homepage

With version 1.5.0 we have also published our new homepage. Apart from the newer, more modern design, it also offers useful functions for players, modders and developers.

Documents such as instructions and technical documentation are now available directly on the website. You can also find informations and pictures of the individual mods in our mod repository.

And much more

In addition, many other features and fixes have been integrated, which were requested by the community. For example: tavern hero inviting (requires mod to enable), optional unlimited replay, option to disable cheats, immediate end of the battle, dimension door & summoning mechanics fixes.

VCMI 1.5.0 changelog:

• Added Portuguese (Brazilian) translation
• Added basic support for game controllers
• Added option to disable cheats in game
• Game will no longer run vcmiserver as a separate process on desktop systems
• Game will no longer show server error messages in game chat in release builds
• Implemented switchable artifact sets from HD Mod

• Fixed possible crash in Altar of Sacrifice
• Fixed possible crash on activation of ‘Enchanted’ bonus
• Fixed possible race condition on random maps generation on placement treasures near border with water zone
• Fixed crash on missing video files
• Fixed crash on using healing spell as ‘casts before/after attack’ bonus
• Fixed crash on defeating hero that was located in boat on game start
• Fixed possible crash on turn timer running out while player has town screen open
• Fixed crash when player has manual control of arrow towers during siege
• Fixed crash on attempt to attack with Magma Elementals with Erdamon as hero
• Fixed crash on attempt to access removed Quest Guard
• Fixed crash on moving through whirlpool when hero has no troops other than commander
• Fixed possible freeze when moving hero over events that give enough experience to cause a level-up
• Fixed possible crash on movement of double-wide creatures next to gates during siege
• Fixed possible hanging app on attempt to close game during loading

• Game map will no longer be locked during turn of other human players, allowing to change hero paths or inspect towns or heroes
• Game will now correctly block most of player actions outside of their turn
• Implemented new lobby, available in game with persistent accounts and chat
• Removed old lobby previously available in launcher
• Fixed potential crash that could occur if two players act at the very same time
• Game will no longer pause due to network lag after every tile when instant movement speed is selected in multiplayer
• Game will now show “X player’s turn” dialog on new turn in online multiplayer
• Fixed loading of turn timers state from saved games
• Simultaneous turns will now break when players are 1 turn away from each other instead of 2 turns
• Implemented rolling and banning of towns before game start

• Implemented configurable keyboard shortcuts, editable in file config/shortcutsConfig.json
• Fixed broken keyboard shortcuts in main menu
• If UI Enhancements are enabled, the game will skip confirmation dialogs when entering owned dwellings or refugee camp.
• It is now possible to move artifact to or from backpack using Alt+click
• It is now possible to transfer artifact to another hero during exchange using Ctrl+click
• It is no longer possible to start single scenario by pressing “Enter”, in line with H3 and to prevent interference with game chat
• Empty treasure banks will no longer ask for confirmation when entering
• Game will now save last used difficulty settings
• Opening random map tab or scenario selection tab in pregame will no longer reset starting towns or heroes unless different map was selected
• Town Portal dialog will now show town icons
• Town Portal dialog will now show town info on right click
• Town Portal dialog will center on town on clicking it
• Town Portal dialog now uses same town ordering as in adventure map interface
• Game will now remember scrolling position of hero backpack
• Heroes can now be recruited from the tavern by double-clicking on them
• Added status bar to the backpack window
• Quick backpack window is now only available when enabled Interface enhancements
• Fixed assembly of artifacts in the backpack when backpack is full
• Attempt to use enemy turn replay feature will now show “Not implemented” message
• It is now possible to configure size of small battle queue in config file
• Opening hero window in town will now open exchange dialog if there are two heroes in town, allowing artifact exchange
• Fixed positioning of FPS counter after resolution change
• It is now possible to access extra options window from campaigns startup dialog
• Size of message boxes should now match H3 better. Maximum-size message box will always be smaller than screen size
• If monsters are willing to join for money, game will now show gold icon in this dialog box
• Fixed visual duplication of artifacts on Altar of Sacrifice
• Fixed translation of some bonuses using incorrect language
• Added option to use ‘nearest’ rounding mode for UI scaling
• Fixed various minor bugs in trade window interface
• Removed animation of spawning of every single new monster on new month
• Game will now correctly reset artifact drag-and-drop cursor if player opens another dialog on top of hero window
• If player has no valid saves, game will pick “NEWGAME” as proposed save name instead of empty field
• Fixed incorrect visitation sounds of Crypt, Shipwreck and Abandoned Ship
• Fixed double sound playback on capturing mines
• Recruitment costs that consist from 3 different resources should now fit recruitment window UI better

• Game will now correctly track who defeated the hero or wandering monsters for related quests and victory conditions
• Birth of a Barbarian: Yog will now start the third scenario with Angelic Alliance in his inventory
• Birth of a Barbarian: Heroes with Angelic Alliance components are now considered to be mission-critical and can’t be dismissed or lost in combat
• Birth of a Barbarian: Yog can no longer purchase spellbook from the Mage Guild
• Birth of a Barbarian: Yog will no longer gain Spellpower or Knowledge when leveling up
• Birth of a Barbarian: Scenarios with mission to deliver an artifact will no longer end after just defeating enemies
• Dungeons and Devils: AI will no longer take troops from garrisons in “Fall of Steadwick” scenario, in line with H3
• Gem will now have her class set to “Sorceress” in campaigns
• Fixed missing names for heroes who have their names customized in map after being transferred to the next scenario
• Artifact transfer will now work correctly if the hero holding the transferable artifact is not also transferring
• Fixed crash on opening of some campaigns in the French version from gog.com
• Fixed crash on advancing to campaign mission in which you can pick hero as starting bonus
• It is now possible to replay the intro movie from the scenario information window
• When playing the intro video, the subtitles are now correctly synchronized with the audio
• Fixed invalid string on right-clicking secondary skill starting bonus

• Added option to enable unlimited combat replays during game setup
• Added option to instantly end battle using quick combat (shotcut: ‘e’)
• Added option to replace auto-combat button action with instant end using quick combat
• Battles against AI players can now be done using quick combat
• Disabling battle queue will now correctly reposition hero statistics preview popup
• Fixed positioning of unit stack size label

• It is no longer possible to learn spells from Pandora or events if hero can not learn them
• Fixed behavior of ‘Dimension Door’ spell to be in line with H3:SoD
• Fixed behavior of ‘Fly’ spell to be in line with H3:SoD
• If it is not possible to cast ‘Dimension Door’, game will show message immediately on picking spell in spellbook
• Added options to configure ‘Dimension Door’ spell to be in line with HotA
• Casting ‘Town Portal’ while in boat will now show correct message box instead of server error
• Game will now take mana before visiting town after casting ‘Town Portal’, allowing Mana Vortex to correctly replenish all mana points
• Fixed loading of negative luck and morale in events, pandoras and quests on h3m maps
• Fixed incorrect ‘duplicate hero’ error on loading of some vmap maps
• Fixed previously broken digging of the Grail
• Successful digging for Grail will now show correct message
• Game will now correctly update movement range after rearranging armies
• It is no longer possible for two towns with random names to have same name, just like in H3
• Creatures that were consumed by Demon Summon ability will no longer return to life after the battle
• Effects of melee-only or ranged-only spells, such as Bloodlust or Precision are no longer cumulative
• It is no longer possible to use summoning spells if such spell would summon 0 creatures
• It is now possible to assemble or disassemble artifacts while in Altar of Sacrifice
• It is no longer possible to move war machines to Altar of Sacrifice
• If HotA mod is enabled, game will no longer incorrectly replace all prisons on map with HotA version
• Fixed regression leading to large elemental dwellings being used as replacements for random dwellings

• Game will now save last used RMG settings in game and in editor
• Reduced number of obstacles placed in water zones
• Treasure values in water zone should now be similar to values from HotA, due to bugs in H3:SoD values
• Random map templates can now have optional description visible in random map setup
• Implemented biomes system, for more consistent and natural obstacles placement
• Implemented Penrose tiling to produce more natural zone edges
• Increased minimal density of obstacles on surface level of the map
• Decreased minimal density of obstacles on undergound level of the map
• Density of objects should now closely resemble H3 RMG
• Generator will now avoid routing road under guarded objects whenever possible
• Generator will now avoid placing guards near roads
• Generator will not place a guard near the road if it’s stronger than 1/3 of max guard strength for this zone
• Interactive objects will now appear on top of static objects
• Windmill will now appear on top of all other objects

• Launcher now supports installation of Heroes 3 data using gog.com offline installer thanks to innoextract tool
• Fixed loading of mod screenshots if player opens screenshots tab without any preloaded screenshots
• Fixed installation of mods if it has non-installed submod as dependency
• It is now possible to import game settings using drag-and-drop
• Added button to import mods, maps, or settings in addition to drag-and-drop
• Added Spanish translation to launcher
• Added Portuguese translation to launcher

• Added Chinese translation to map editor
• Added Portuguese translation to map editor
• Mod list in settings will now correctly show submods of submods
• Fixed display of resource type and quantity in mines
• Fixed inability to change object owner in editor
• Added map sizes larger than XL in map editor
• It is now possible to customize hero spells

• Fixed possible crash on updating NKAI pathfinding data
• Fixed possible crash if hero has only commander left without army
• Fixed possible crash on attempt to build tavern in a town
• Fixed counting mana usage cost of Fly spell
• Added estimation of value of Pyramid and Cyclops Stockpile
• Reduced memory usage and improved performance of AI pathfinding
• Added experimental and disabled by default implementation of object graph
• It is now possible to configure AI settings via config file
• Improved parallelization when AI has multiple heroes
• AI-controlled creatures will now correctly move across wide moat in Fortress
• Fixed system error messages caused by visitation of Trading Posts by VCAI
• Patrolling heroes will never retreat from the battle
• AI will now consider strength of town garrison and not just strength of visiting hero when deciding to attack town

• Added new game setting that allows inviting heroes to taverns
• It is now possible to add creature or faction description accessible via right-click of the icon
• Fixed reversed Overlord and Warlock classes mapping
• Added ‘selectAll’ mode for configurable objects which grants all potential rewards
• It is now possible to use most of json5 format in vcmi json files
• Main mod.json file (including any submods) now requires strict json, without comments or extra commas
• Replaced bonus MANA_PER_KNOWLEDGE with MANA_PER_KNOWLEDGE_PERCENTAGE to avoid rounding error with mysticism
• Factions can now be marked as ‘special’, banning them from random selection
• Replaced ‘convert txt’ text export command with more convenient ‘translate’ and ‘translate maps’ commands
• Game will now report cases where minimal damage of a creature is greater than maximal damage
• Added bonuses RESOURCES_CONSTANT_BOOST and RESOURCES_TOWN_MULTIPLYING_BOOST