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Difference between revisions of "Heroes of Might and Magic IV"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (updated template usage)
 
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−
{{stub}}
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|cover        = Heroes of Might and Magic IV - cover.jpg
 
|cover        = Heroes of Might and Magic IV - cover.jpg
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|New World Computing}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|New World Computing}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/macporter|Contraband Entertainment}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/porter|Contraband Entertainment|Mac OS}}
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
−
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|3DO}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|3DO|2002-2003}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Ubisoft|2003-present}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sold Out Software|Re-release}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|March 28, 2002}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|March 28, 2002}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|November 15, 2002|ref=<ref>[http://www.insidemacgames.com/info.php?ID=427 Product Info: Heroes of Might & Magic IV]</ref>}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|November 15, 2002|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.insidemacgames.com/info.php?ID=427|title=Product Info: Heroes of Might & Magic IV|date=May 2023}}</ref>}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Turn-based }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view, Isometric }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Multiple select}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | TBS }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Fantasy }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Heroes of Might and Magic }}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|heroes-of-might-and-magic-iv|84}}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
−
|gogcom page  = heroes_of_might_and_magic_4_complete
+
|gogcom id    = 1207658915
 
|strategywiki = Heroes of Might and Magic IV
 
|strategywiki = Heroes of Might and Magic IV
 +
|igdb        = heroes-of-might-and-magic-iv
 +
|hltb        = 4429
 +
|lutris      = heroes-of-might-magic-iv-complete
 +
|mobygames    = 6105
 
|wikipedia    = Heroes of Might and Magic IV
 
|wikipedia    = Heroes of Might and Magic IV
−
|winehq      =  
+
|winehq      = 1229
 +
|license      = commercial
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 
 +
|release history  = The game received two expansion packs - '''''The Gathering Storm''''' in September 2002, and '''''Winds of War''''' in February 2003 - with additional campaigns, heroes and neutral creatures. [[#Official patches|Official patches]] maintained feature and balancing parity between all aforementioned releases.
 +
 
 +
The '''''Complete Edition''''', which contains the base game and both expansions, was released in September 2004. It is the most widely available version of the game, and is the one which is sold on digital stores.
 +
 
 +
|current state    = The game requires the [[#GL Wrapper by Verok|GL wrapper by Verok]] to resolve compatibility issues. It also includes quality-of-life improvements such as high resolution support and windowed mode.
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|Heroes of Might and Magic}}
 
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{GOG.com links|heroes_of_might_and_magic_4_complete|heroes_of_might_and_magic_series|for game series}}
+
{{mm}} [http://www.heroesofmightandmagic.com/heroes4/heroesofmightandmagic4iv.shtml HoMM IV section on Age of Heroes]
 +
{{GOG.com links|1207658915|heroes_of_might_and_magic_series|for game series}}
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SafeDisc}}. | | Windows, Mac OS }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SafeDisc|v2}}. | | Windows, Mac OS }}
−
{{Availability/row| GOG | heroes_of_might_and_magic_4_complete | DRM-free | | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | heroes_of_might_and_magic_4_complete | DRM-free | Complete Edition. Uses GOG's custom DirectDraw wrapper as of 7 September 2022. | | Windows }}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Version differences===
 +
{{ii}} The retail-only '''Gold Edition''' includes the base game and the Gathering Storm expansion.
 +
{{ii}} The '''Complete Edition''' includes the base game and both expansion packs.
 +
 
 +
==Monetization==
 +
{{Monetization
 +
|ad-supported          =
 +
|dlc                    =
 +
|expansion pack        = The expansion packs include new campaigns, maps, artifacts, and neutral units.
 +
|freeware              =
 +
|free-to-play          =
 +
|one-time game purchase = The game requires an upfront purchase to access.
 +
|sponsored              =
 +
|subscription          =
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 34: Line 81:
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
−
===Equilibris===
+
===Official patches===
−
This mod improves the game by fixing the bugs, improving the game balance,adding more new campaigns. Once installed, it will create a file which you can play the original game, without reinstalling it. [http://equilibris.celestialheavens.com/ Link]
+
{{ii}} The latest patch for all versions is 3.0. The retail version of Winds of War and Complete Edition is already 3.0.
 +
* Mirrors for the base game are [https://www.gamefront.com/games/heroes-of-might-magic-iv/category/heroes-iv-vanilla here].
 +
* Mirrors for The Gathering Storm are [https://www.gamefront.com/games/heroes-of-might-magic-iv/category/the-gathering-storm here].
 +
* Mirrors for Czech- and Russian-specific Winds of War localization fixes are [https://www.gamefront.com/games/heroes-of-might-magic-iv/category/winds-of-war here].
 +
 
 +
===[https://heroes3wog.net/heroes-4-hd-mod-download/ HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok]===
 +
{{++}} Changes the graphics renderer, fixes the lag and crash when entering a battle, allows higher resolutions along with 32-bit color support and windowed mode. Originally they were separate, but as of version 1.50 of the GL Wrapper, they are combined in a single download.
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{P|hkcu}}\SOFTWARE\New World Computing\Heroes of Might and Magic IV<br>{{P|hklm}}\{{P|wow64}}\New World Computing\Heroes of Might and Magic IV\1.0}}
−
{{Game data/row|Mac OS|}}
+
{{Game data/config|Mac OS|}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\games}}
−
{{Game data/row|Mac OS|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Mac OS|}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 +
{{Save game cloud syncing
 +
|discord                  =
 +
|discord notes            =
 +
|epic games launcher      =
 +
|epic games launcher notes =
 +
|gog galaxy                = true
 +
|gog galaxy notes          = Added on 7 September 2022.
 +
|origin                    =
 +
|origin notes              =
 +
|steam cloud              =
 +
|steam cloud notes        =
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =
 +
|xbox cloud                =
 +
|xbox cloud notes          =
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Image|HoMM4 General Settings.png|General settings menu}}
 +
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
Line 57: Line 129:
 
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =  
 
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
−
|widescreen resolution      = false
+
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
−
|widescreen resolution notes= Only 800x600, 1024x768 and 1280x1024 are available.
+
|widescreen resolution notes= See [[#HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok|HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok]]
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
−
|ultrawidescreen            = false
+
|ultrawidescreen            = hackable
−
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
+
|ultrawidescreen notes      = See [[#HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok|HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok]]
−
|4k ultra hd                = false
+
|4k ultra hd                = hackable
−
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
+
|4k ultra hd notes          = See [[#HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok|HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok]]
 
|fov                        = n/a
 
|fov                        = n/a
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
−
|windowed                  = true
+
|windowed                  = limited
−
|windowed notes            = Doesn't work at 1280x1024.
+
|windowed notes            = Doesn't work at 1280x1024 by default. Runs on all resolutions with the [[#HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok|HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok]] and is toggled by {{key|F4}}.
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
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|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = unknown
 
|vsync                      = unknown
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
Line 81: Line 156:
 
|120 fps                    = unknown
 
|120 fps                    = unknown
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps notes              =  
−
|color blind                = unknown
+
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
−
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
+
|mouse sensitivity        = false
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
−
|invert mouse y-axis      =  
+
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
Line 107: Line 186:
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
−
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
−
|button prompts           = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = unknown
−
|button prompts notes     =  
+
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes  =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers         = unknown
 +
|other controllers notes  =  
 +
|other button prompts     = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=  
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
−
|light bar support        = unknown
+
|simultaneous input        = unknown
−
|light bar support notes   =  
+
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
−
|separate volume          = unknown
+
|separate volume          = true
−
|separate volume notes    =  
+
|separate volume notes    = Music and effects.
 
|surround sound          = unknown
 
|surround sound          = unknown
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
−
|subtitles                = unknown
+
|subtitles                = true
−
|subtitles notes          =  
+
|subtitles notes          = Cutscenes only.
−
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
−
|mute on focus lost      = unknown
+
|mute on focus lost      = always on
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes = While heavily sampled<ref>https://www.celestialheavens.com/forum/post/quote?f=7&p=277927</ref>, there are no known issues with streaming the game's music.
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Czech
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Local retail version only.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Hungarian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail only.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Local retail version only. [https://www.gog.com/forum/heroes_of_might_and_magic_series/rusifikator_dla_4_casti/post24 Patch for digital version]
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 141: Line 324:
 
|local play modes    = Hot seat
 
|local play modes    = Hot seat
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
−
|lan play            = unknown
+
|lan play            = true
 
|lan play players    =  
 
|lan play players    =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
−
|online play          = unknown
+
|online play          = false
 
|online play players  =  
 
|online play players  =  
 
|online play modes    =  
 
|online play modes    =  
Line 152: Line 335:
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
}}{{Network/Connections
 
}}{{Network/Connections
−
|matchmaking        =  
+
|matchmaking        = false
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
−
|p2p                =  
+
|p2p                = true
 
|p2p notes          =  
 
|p2p notes          =  
−
|dedicated          =  
+
|dedicated          = false
 
|dedicated notes    =  
 
|dedicated notes    =  
−
|self-hosting      =  
+
|self-hosting      = true
 
|self-hosting notes =  
 
|self-hosting notes =  
−
|direct ip          =  
+
|direct ip          = true
 
|direct ip notes    =  
 
|direct ip notes    =  
 
}}{{Network/Ports
 
}}{{Network/Ports
Line 173: Line 356:
 
|direct3d versions      =  
 
|direct3d versions      =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
−
|directdraw versions    =  
+
|directdraw versions    = 7
 
|directdraw notes      =  
 
|directdraw notes      =  
 
|opengl versions        =  
 
|opengl versions        =  
Line 185: Line 368:
 
|metal support          =  
 
|metal support          =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
−
|vulkan support        =  
+
|vulkan versions        =  
−
|vulkan support notes   =  
+
|vulkan notes           =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
−
|64-bit executable     = unknown
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
−
|64-bit executable notes=  
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 +
|windows exe notes     =
 +
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
|mac os powerpc app    = unknown
 +
|mac os 68k app        = unknown
 +
|mac os executable notes=  
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            = Miles Sound System
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = GameSpy
 +
|multiplayer notes= Shut down in 1 August 2007.
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===Mods===
 +
====[https://equilibris.celestialheavens.com/ Equilibris]====
 +
This mod improves the game by fixing bugs, improving the game balance and adding new campaigns. Once installed, it will create a file that allows for playing the original game, without reinstalling it.
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
Line 199: Line 416:
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
  
−
|minOS    = XP, Vista, 7, 8
+
|minOS    = 95
−
|minCPU  = 1 GHz
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium II 400 MHz
−
|minRAM  = 256 MB
+
|minRAM  = 64 MB
 
|minGPU  =  
 
|minGPU  =  
−
|minDX    = 7
+
|minVRAM  = 16 MB
 +
|minDX    = 8.0
  
−
|recCPU  = 1.4 GHz
+
|recOS    = 98, ME, 2000, XP
−
|recRAM  = 512 MB
+
|recCPU  = 450 MHz
 +
|recRAM  = 256 MB
 
|recGPU  =  
 
|recGPU  =  
 
|recDX    = 9
 
|recDX    = 9
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{{References}}
 
{{References}}
 +
{{GOG.com Enhancement Project}}

Latest revision as of 19:24, 21 May 2024

Heroes of Might and Magic IV
Heroes of Might and Magic IV cover
Developers
New World Computing
Mac OS (Classic) Contraband Entertainment
Publishers
2002-2003 3DO
2003-present Ubisoft
Re-release Sold Out Software
Release dates
Windows March 28, 2002
Mac OS (Classic) November 15, 2002[1]
Reception
Metacritic 84
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Expansion pack
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Turn-based
Perspectives Bird's-eye view, Isometric
Controls Multiple select
Genres TBS
Themes Fantasy
Series Heroes of Might and Magic
Icon overlay.png
Heroes of Might and Magic IV on HowLongToBeat
Heroes of Might and Magic IV on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Heroes of Might and Magic IV guide on StrategyWiki
Heroes of Might and Magic IV on MobyGames
Heroes of Might and Magic IV on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
⤏ Go to series page
Subseries of Might and Magic
Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest 1995
Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Succession Wars 1996
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia 1999
Heroes Chronicles 2000
Heroes of Might and Magic IV 2002
Heroes of Might and Magic V 2006
Heroes of Might and Magic V: Tribes of the East 2007
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes 2011
Might & Magic Heroes VI 2011
Might & Magic Heroes VI: Shades of Darkness 2013
Heroes of Might and Magic III - HD Edition 2015
Might & Magic Heroes Online 2015
Might & Magic Heroes VII 2015
Might & Magic Heroes VII: Trial by Fire 2016
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition 2023

Warnings

GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

Heroes of Might and Magic IV is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view and isometric TBS game in the Heroes of Might and Magic series.

The game received two expansion packs - The Gathering Storm in September 2002, and Winds of War in February 2003 - with additional campaigns, heroes and neutral creatures. Official patches maintained feature and balancing parity between all aforementioned releases.

The Complete Edition, which contains the base game and both expansions, was released in September 2004. It is the most widely available version of the game, and is the one which is sold on digital stores.

The game requires the GL wrapper by Verok to resolve compatibility issues. It also includes quality-of-life improvements such as high resolution support and windowed mode.

General information

HoMM IV section on Age of Heroes
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 SafeDisc v2 DRM[Note 1].
Windows
Mac OS
GOG.com
DRM-free
 Complete Edition. Uses GOG's custom DirectDraw wrapper as of 7 September 2022.
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).

Version differences

The retail-only Gold Edition includes the base game and the Gathering Storm expansion.
The Complete Edition includes the base game and both expansion packs.

Monetization

Type Notes
Expansion pack The expansion packs include new campaigns, maps, artifacts, and neutral units.
One-time game purchase The game requires an upfront purchase to access.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
The Gathering Storm
Windows
Winds of War
Windows

Essential improvements

Official patches

The latest patch for all versions is 3.0. The retail version of Winds of War and Complete Edition is already 3.0.
  • Mirrors for the base game are here.
  • Mirrors for The Gathering Storm are here.
  • Mirrors for Czech- and Russian-specific Winds of War localization fixes are here.

HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok

Changes the graphics renderer, fixes the lag and crash when entering a battle, allows higher resolutions along with 32-bit color support and windowed mode. Originally they were separate, but as of version 1.50 of the GL Wrapper, they are combined in a single download.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\New World Computing\Heroes of Might and Magic IV
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Wow6432Node\New World Computing\Heroes of Might and Magic IV\1.0[Note 2]
Mac OS (Classic)

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\games[Note 3]
Mac OS (Classic)

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Added on 7 September 2022.

Video

General settings menu
General settings menu

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
See HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
See HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok
4K Ultra HD
See HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Doesn't work at 1280x1024 by default. Runs on all resolutions with the HoMM4 Resolution Mod with GL Wrapper by Verok and is toggled by F4.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Music and effects.
Surround sound
Subtitles
Cutscenes only.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio
While heavily sampled[4], there are no known issues with streaming the game's music.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Czech
Local retail version only.
French
German
Hungarian
Retail only.
Italian
Polish
Russian
Local retail version only. Patch for digital version
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
4 Hot seat
LAN play
Online play
GameSpy services have been shut down;[5] see GameSpy for workarounds.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DirectDraw 7
ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Mac OS (Classic)

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio Miles Sound System
Cutscenes Bink Video
Multiplayer GameSpy Shut down in 1 August 2007.

Mods

Equilibris

This mod improves the game by fixing bugs, improving the game balance and adding new campaigns. Once installed, it will create a file that allows for playing the original game, without reinstalling it.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95 98, ME, 2000, XP
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium II 400 MHz 450 MHz
System memory (RAM) 64 MB 256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Video card (GPU) 16 MB of VRAM
DirectX 8.0 compatible 		DirectX 9 compatible


Notes

  1. ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[2] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[3]
  2. ↑ Applications writing to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE will be redirected to other locations based on various criterias, see the glossary page for more details.
  3. ↑ When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References