Softpedia has a review of M&M: Heroes VI - Shades of Darkness. Word of warning it's not positive. I can't blame though after the release the game became unplayable again.

The game was billed as a standalone expansion and was supposed to be easily downloadable via the much lauded Uplay service from Ubisoft.

As soon as the new content was launched, players who bought it started complaining that they could not access it at all or that it was only playable in its most basic form, with no sound and no cutscenes.

The team behind Might & Magic: Heroes VI – Shades of Darkness announced that all problems would be dealt with quickly but, at the moment, there still are significant issues with the game despite the fact that one patch was launched.

It’s hard to recommend a video game that fails to perform its most basic functions, from a company that is willing to take players' without giving them a quick and simple way of running the purchased product.

If we ignore the launch problems, which might be solved at some point in the future, Might & Magic: Heroes VI – Shades of Darkness fails to deliver any sort of important innovation for the series and delivers a rather bland, over-developed campaign and tactical battles that are spectacular at times but rarely capture the magic of the series.

Heroes of Might & Magic fans should pick up and replay the second and third games in the series and their expansions to get their dose of turn-based tactics and strategy.

Ubisoft announces that Might and MAgic Heroes V Shades of Darkness is now available. This fully fledged standalone game features a new faction led by the Dark Elves.

The wait is finally over, Might & Magic Heroes VI Shades of Darkness standalone expansion now is available

A century after the tragic events of Might & Magic Heroes VI, that determined the heroic fate of a dynasty, Shades of Darkness recounts, in two original campaigns, pivotal moments in Ashan's darker history that will define the future of a decadent underground people and decide the survival of the dying cult of the Spider Queen.

Determine the fates of two legendary factions; the Dark Elves of Dungeon and the Necromancers of Necropolis.

More Information about Might and Magic Heroes VI:
http://might-and-magic.ubi.com/heroes-6/

More Information about Might And Magic universe:
http://might-and-magic.ubi.com/

Cramgaming has a two part video interview with Creative Director Erwan Le Breton.

Here is part one.

And here is part two.

We spoke with the creative director working on the Might & Magic franchise  Erwan Le Breton and asked about a console version of the PC specific turn based strategy game. From what was gathered, the team would very much like to break into the console market with the franchise but would have to tailor the game to suit the console audience as the current PC set up wouldn’t work so well using a standard controller. We also asked whether there was a possibility with next generation systems on the horizon and it seems this is something the team are in discussions with at Ubisoft, where finding the correct studio to handle the game’s possible development would be key.

Might & Magic’s latest expansion Shades of Darkness is coming to PC on May 2nd and is the latest in a long line of extras for the basic Might & Magic Heroes VI game which released quite some time ago. We like the idea of a console version and would hope if the game was brought to the console audience it would be on next generation systems – whether the game would retain its turn based roots is up in the air, but the rich and diverse history of the series would make for some interesting gameplay elements.

Cramgaming released a video for M&M: Heroes VI that simply asks, "Should you play Might & Magic Heroes VI Shades of Darkness?".

A century after the tragic events of Might & Magic Heroes VI, that determined the heroic fate of a dynasty, Shades of Darkness recounts, in two original campaigns, pivotal moments in Ashan’s darker history that will define the future of a decadent underground people and decide the survival of the dying cult of the Spider Queen. Determine the fates of two legendary factions; the Dark Elves of Dungeon and the Necromancers of Necropolis.

Might & Magic fansite Celestial Heavens has an interview on the Shades of Darkness expansion for Heroes VI:

CH: 3. What other new material is added? Spells, artefacts, adventure map buildings etc.?

Aside from the Dungeon faction and all its heroes making their debut in Heroes VI,
we'll also expand the game experience by adding new content, like some new artifacts, new Dynasty Weapons, but also new characters non related to the Dungeon faction. And there will be also new adventure map buildings, such as the Dragon Utopia or the Memory Mentor, along with a couple of new neutral creatures and bosses. We will share with you more information in the coming weeks, make sure to check out our official channels for more fresh news."

Ubisoft announces a release date for the M&M Heroes 6 Standalone Expansion, Shades of Darkness:

Might & Magic^® Heroes^® VI shades of darkness release date revealed

A New Portal Opens Its Doors to the Whole Might & Magic Universe

London, UK — December 7, 2012 — Today, Ubisoft® announced the long-awaited Might & Magic® Heroes® VI standalone expansion, Shades of Darkness, set to be released on Windows® PC on the 28^th February 2013.

Starring the cult hero Raelag, first introduced in Heroes V, this fully fledged standalone game will feature a new faction, Dungeon, led by the Dark Elves, and two new campaigns unveiling another piece of history in the Might & Magic Universe.  

Players can also enjoy the full experience with Might & Magic Heroes VI Complete Edition, containing the enhanced game, all bonus maps & items, adventure packs, the original soundtrack of the game and the Shades of Darkness expansion, set for release on PC on 1^st March 2013.

A new Might & Magic portal is now available, providing for the first time online, full details on the mythology, characters and history of the entire Might & Magic universe. As an introduction to newcomers and a reference to longtime fans, this dedicated web portal showcases the deep and unique world of the series.  Fully localized in French, German, Russian and Polish, The Might & Magic portal unveils new artworks, a dynamic timeline of the universe’s mythology and history and is also a meeting point for the Might & Magic community and enthusiasts for all the hot news and updates on the franchise’s large panel of games and activities.

To jump into the Might & Magic portal, please visit: www.mightandmagic.com.

The second Adventure Pack for Might & Magic: Heroes VI is now available:

A creature born of nightmare...

A darkness shadows fear...

Once there was a heart, now there's only vengeance... 

The dragons call him doom

Sandro is back and ready for another adevnture!

The second Adventure Pack "Danse Macabre" Sea is now available. Check it out on www.ubishop.com

Ubisoft announces a new DLC titled Danse Macabre for Might & Magic: Heroes VI - as well as a Gold Edition that includes both Adventure Packs:

Today, Ubisoft® announced that the second adventure pack for the universally acclaimed Might & Magic® Heroes® VI as well as a gold edition, including the game and the two adventure packs, will be made available for Windows® PC on September 28, 2012.

Developed by Limbic Entertainment GmbH in Germany, Might & Magic Heroes VI Danse Macabre Adventure Pack offers over 10-hours of epic adventure. The banished Might & Magic villain, the Great Lich Sandro, suddenly reappears with a vengeance to take on the world of Ashan and his dragon gods. This Adventure Pack also features an artifact set, a unique building, new heroes and an original pet.

In addition to the release of this new content, a Gold Edition of the game will be in stores on September, 28 2012. This Gold Edition includes the original game Might & Magic Heroes VI, the two Adventure Packs and an exclusive new map. Players will be able to take part in the infamous succession wars on this exclusive map based on the original Might & Magic® world of Enroth.

Might & Magic Heroes VI Danse Macabre Adventure Pack and The Gold Edition will be available to download on Ubishop, Steam and other digital retailers.

For more information, please visit www.mightandmagicgame.com.

Screenshots here from Blue's.

Ubisoft announces an Adventure Pack titled Pirate of the Savage Sea for Might & Magic Heroes VI:

Today, Ubisoft® announced that the first adventure pack for the universally acclaimed Might & Magic® Heroes® VI will be made available for Windows® PC on July 12th, 2012. 

Developed by Limbic Entertainment GmbH in Germany, Might & Magic Heroes VI Pirate of the Savage Sea Adventure Pack offers over 10-hours of epic adventure. The legendary Might & Magic hero, Crag Hack, makes an epic comeback, appearing for the first time as a leading character in the world of Ashan. This Adventure Pack also features new artifacts, a powerful dynasty weapon and many new bonuses. 

In addition to the release of new downloadable content, a major patch for Might & Magic® Heroes® VI, that includes new content and beautifully animated town screens tailored specifically to the expectations of Might & Magic® will also be available on July 12th, 2012. 

Might & Magic Heroes VI Pirate of the Savage Sea Adventure Pack will be available to download for $9.99 on Ubishop, Steam and other digital retailers.

For more information, please visit www.mightandmagicgame.com

Two screens are available at Blue's here.

A new patch is available for Might & Magic: VI and a further patch is planned with balance changes - head to the Ubisoft forums for the notes and an insight into the next patch.

A minor update us available for Might & Magic: Heroes VI, taking the game to 1.2.1. Via Blues, the file can be found at AtomicGamer, Gamer's Hell, and The Patches Scrolls.

Patch 1.2 introduced a bug in which it was possible that an achiement could be copied from one user to another by using the Compared Profile feature. Patch 1.2.1 fixes this issue, which only affected player achievements and no other parts of a player's profile.

Ubisoft has released a v1.2 patch for Might & Magic: Heroes 6 with some "major bug fixes" as well as substantial changes to the skirmish and combat AI and balancing - sounds like it would make quite a difference.

ActionTrip takes a look at Might & Magic: Heroes VI, resulting in a score of 7.6/10. On the overarching issue:

And now we come to the clincher. Playing this game for a few days felt really fun and challenging. It felt like getting back to that very same classic -- HoMM 3 -- a game that withstood the test of time thanks to its incredibly addictive gameplay. As I jumped deeper into the core of the game, my motivation to play on declined with every passing hour and pretty soon, good old boredom started to creep in (wtf?). Pinpointing the reason wasn't easy at first. After a while, I discovered the root of the problem. This game wasn't King's Bounty. To enthusiastic turn-based strategy fans, the difference between King's Bounty and Heroes of Might & Magic should be evident. At times, it almost felt like I was playing a King's Bounty rip-off. That can't be right? Can it? King's Bounty was inspired by the Heroes franchise, not the other way around. The source of this dilemma lies in the fact that Katauri Interactive (the developer of KB) effectively brought the Heroes formula to a higher level, offering more gameplay variety, more choices, more challenges. In Heroes VI, things tend to get stale very fast, despite the fact that the heart of the franchise is present in the ever-popular turn-based combat mechanics. Somehow, with King's Bounty, the genre felt like it evolved somewhat and with this game it feels like it's stagnating.

GameSpot has reviewed Might & Magic: Heroes 6, resulting in an 8/10 score:

For more than a decade and a half, the Heroes of Might & Magic series has offered players the chance to adventure through fantastical worlds while training heroes, developing towns, and building armies to explore the realm and conquer their enemies. The turn-based titan returns in Might & Magic Heroes VI with the same engrossing and rewarding gameplay that its predecessors served up so well. New creatures, spells, and a lovely new faction help make this visually vibrant game feel fresh, while the restructured skill tree and new dynasty mechanic make hero development more flexible. Progressing through the five lengthy campaigns can drag at times, which is something the new quick combat feature both ameliorates and exacerbates. And the diverse tactical considerations can outpace the game's ability to explain them properly. But the addictive rhythm of building, fighting, and exploring is as powerful as ever, making Might & Magic Heroes VI another compelling entry in this storied series.

Two more reviews has surfaced for this game. I'll quote from one of them and list the other.
A quote from the review at Capsule Computers 9/10

This is one game that I’ve had to force myself to stop playing (just so that I could write this review). I used to play Heroes of Might and Magic (I-III) and am loving the square grid over thehexagonal grid used in the older games. It makes fighting on some of the more exotic arenas much more easier to navigate (like the lillyponds that are narrow in the middle, as opposed to the big open plains). If you loved the classics, then returning to this will make you feel at home.

Another review can be found at Mash Those Buttons 4/5

There's a second review at Hooked Gamers for us today, with a look at Might & Magic: Heroes VI. The score is 9.4/10 and here's a snip:

Heroes VI is polished to perfection in every possible way and features many small but nevertheless significant improvements that modernize the original formula. To speed up the pace, resource gathering buildings are now tied to a specific area. Controlling the fort or castle in that area entitles you to whatever they produce, effectively removing the need to recapture them every time an enemy hero takes it from you. Another innovation is that the - possible - outcome of each battle is calculated prior to going to the combat stage. You can accept this outcome, or play manually to throw your own tactical prowess into the mix.

I'm on a heavy work schedule at the moment, so apologies for the abbreviated news. Anyway. TenTonHammer has a review of Might & Magic: Heroes VI with a score of 68/100 - interestingly, the "Gameplay" section has a score of 80/100 but the game gets criticised for being "too safe:

Heroes of Might and Magic VI isn’t a bad game, per se; it’s just that it it’s too safe. Too little has changed between the combat and overworld map, and that which was changed was merely changed for convenience rather than mixing things up. All of the pieces of a good game in the series are here, but to be blunt… this could and SHOULD just be an expansion or mod for HoMM V that adds the new campaign and Sanctuary race.

IGN has reviewed Heroes VI, awarding a score of 8/10 despite some limitations with late-game combat. An excerpt about general play:

Heroes VI has two different turn-based gameplay components. Your hero, whom you can customize with loot and level up in an RPG manner, moves around a campaign map each turn. With an army in tow, you direct them towards enemy forces and use them to gather loot and other special items. You then use collected items and resources from conquered lands to grow your economy, which is important for building up cities and further expanding your lands. A good deal of strategy occurs during these sections, because your hero has limited movement. I found myself having to make careful decisions about which enemies to attack, which resources to pursue and what items to go after. You have to plan out moves several turns ahead, and adjust your strategy as the enemy reacts to your movements.

GameSpy has reviewed Heroes VI, generally finding it a favourable experience but saying Ubisoft's Uplay DRM system nearly killed it for them (3/5):

Raising huge armies of gnarled fantasy creatures, thundering across the loot-laden countryside, and thrashing the kingdoms of rival heroes in epic turn-based battles is still every bit as awesome as it was when I first dove into Heroes of Might and Magic as a kid. Don't let the name switcheroo fool you: Might & Magic Heroes VI primarily sticks to the franchise's roots. It's laden with all of the excellent nitty-gritty details that strategic fantasy warfare nerds like me salivate over, but it also incorporates some updates to the formula that may not sit well with the hardcore set. As great as the underlying gameplay is, a few heinous design missteps nearly kill the experience outright, especially Ubisoft's hideous Uplay requirements. 

I haven't come across this before but a diligent team of Might & Magic: Heroes VI fans has put together a fan manual for the game. Apparently they've done this before for the King's Bounty games. I haven't downloaded it myself but at 268 pages, it sounds rather comprehensive. Details and links here on the Ubisoft forums.

Thanks, Wynams!

Alec Meer has reviewed M&M: Heroes VI for Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Oddly, Alec hasn't played a previous HoMM so his closest point of reference is King's Bounty. He seems to be impressed with the quantity of gameplay on offer but I'm not sure exactly how much he enjoyed the core game:

Quite often, I’d find I didn’t really have anything to do of a turn (map exploration too is turn-based, with each hero having a limited number of movement points and each city only allowing one new construction before you must progress to the next day) beyond hero movementbecause I was short on something or other and had no way to get more of it without waiting. That’s part and parcel of the game, and perhaps speaks to my ever-shortening attention span, but I did feel like I was dragging my heels more often than I’d have liked.

This is despite, incidentally, the game having reduced its number of resources to four – I can’t speak for how this compares in practice to earlier games, but generally it was the case that I was doing just dandy for three resources and short on one. One that was necessary for making new buildings, usually. Deliberate limitations in this regard are one way in which the game enforces careful, efficient planning on you, as opposed to megalomaniacal ‘I’ll have EVERYthing, and RIGHT NOW!’ It’s a far more serious affair than the King’s Bounties, with the roleplaying stuff a definite second-fiddle to furrow-browed strategising.

...and WhatCulture has a more transparent review with a score of 3.5 stars:

The problem for games like Might & Magic Heroes VI is that mainstream gamers will invariably look down on its players as somehow inferior because they chose to spend so much time in the fantasy realms, and I’m afraid VI goes no way to resisting the stereotypes thanks to an uneven story and some of the most ridiculous voice work I’ve ever encountered. Remember the role playing bits in Role Models starring Paul Rudd? Well, all of that pomposity and ridiculousness actually looks tame next to the silliness of the script for VI’s various cut scenes. But if you can ignore them, the game is immersive and rewarding for those who put the time in to develop their character and unlock different aspects of the gameplay.

The Patches Scrolls has a 13Mb v1.1.1 hotfix for Heroes VI, fixing a problem with video compatibility on laptops. It should also be available through the autopatcher.

Might & Magic: Heroes VI has been released worldwide. There is also a Day 1 Patch and a Launch Trailer. The press release:

Today, Ubisoft announced that Might & Magic Heroes VI is now available worldwide. Developed by Black Hole Entertainment, Heroes VI is the prequel to Heroes V and showcases a family of heroes in a thrilling, epic story where Angels plot to revive an unfinished war. Might & Magic Heroes VI is rated T for Teen and is available exclusively on Windows PC. 

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Might & Magic universe, Heroes VI reboots the acclaimed classic by rediscovering the essence and richness of previous universes and introducing a high-fantasy atmosphere in Ashan. In this updated installment, the landscapes and creatures from the World of Ashan are presented in improved 3D designs and includes an exclusive new bestiary. Also new to the franchise is the Reputation System, which allows Heroes to shape their own destiny through two intriguing scenarios, Blood and Tears. 

Heroes VI is available as a PC Download for $49.99. A Deluxe Edition is also available for $54.99. This bonus edition of Heroes VI contains exclusive content including one bonus single player Skirmish map, four Dynasty Heroes, two Dynasty weapons, a one month subscription to Might & Magic Heroes Kingdoms, game soundtrack, artbook and poster. 

IGN has a "Tears" trailer for Might & Magic: Heroes VI.

Elvin from the Heroes community offered to write some impressions of Heroes 6 to provide some insight into the lastest installment, after spending considerable time in the beta. Here's a sample from his preview:

The gameplay is smoother with less micromanagement and the factions, while fewer, are more diverse. The new unit tier system promotes synergy and with units having more abilities than ever and combat depth is greatly enriched. The battlefield comes in more sizes and shapes, with special locations occasionally appearing (like a rally flag that temporarily increases the luck and morale of nearby units or a visible trap that slows movement) and the possibility of special conditions in a fight. Black Hole created a vast array of beautiful combat arenas and the duel mode is greatly improved. The game's graphics and animations are nothing short of stunning and richly detailed, which I may not consider a must in a strategy game but it certainly sweetens the deal. 

Read it all here.

A new trailer for Might & Magic: Heroes VI has been released, "highlighting the "blood" side of the "Blood & Tears reputation system".

A bit surprising given the delay to October but a three-map demo of Might & Magic: Heroes VI is now available. From the official site:

Download the demo via FilePlanet now !

In the demo you can play 3 campaign maps!

• Tutorial campaign: Griffin Bane

Years have passed since the death of Duke Pavel (Reveal Trailer), killed by Demons summoned by the dying wish of the Orc Shaman Toghrul whose tribe had been slaughtered by the Griffin armies. Now a young man, Pavel’s only son Slave accompanies his aunt, Sveltana (Reveal Trailer), in the mountains of the Griffin Duchy to investigate signs of a new Demon threat

In this map, the player will discover and control the first Haven and Orc units as well as learn all the basics of the Heroes game mechanics

• Prologue campaign: The Emperor’s Will

Years have passed - Slava has known war against Elves, found and lost love, eventually marrying a daughter of the Stag Duchy and fathering five promising children. Friendship between Slava and Kraal’s Orc remains strong. When the Emperor issues a decree authorizing Slava’s old enemy, Duke Gerhart of the Wolf, to deport the Orcs and claim their lands, Slava doesn’t hesitate to defy the Emperor’s will to defend his friends.

Here, the player will be able to carry on his adventure with the already level-up Duke Slava character and learn all the new features available in Heroes VI including the Area of Control, the Dynasty Weapons & Traits, the Town Conversion, the Unique Buildings, etc…

• MULTIPLAYER “HOTSEAT” MODE: Broken Alliance

In Broken Alliance, up to 3 Human players are fighting for dominance of the lands, but they have also to face 3 AI players in control of richer territories. It is not only a matter of strategy, but also of speed… You can play different factions: Haven / Sanctuary / Necropolis / Inferno / Stronghold.

Here are some other mirrors, thanks to Blues:  AtomicGamer, Gamer's Hell and Worthplaying.

A GamesCom teaser trailer has been released for M&M: Heroes VI - don't expect too much, because this is a fully CGI teaser.

Just a few lines down in the RPGWatch editor I can see Might & Magic: Heroes 6 was delayed to September - now it has been pushed to October after feedback from the beta, according to Joystiq:

Kassina explained that player feedback gathered during the beta, specifically relating to bugs and game balancing, highlighted the need for more development time. "Thus, we took the decision to delay the release of Might & Magic Heroes VI in order to secure a bit more time for the dev team to take into account your comments and deliver the best quality game," she wrote.

Might & Magic: Heroes VI has been previewed at Rock, Paper, Shotgun:

I have, I must confess, relatively limited experience with prior HoMMs, but it’s pretty obvious that this one’s a serious rethink after the lukewarm reception to game V. It’s intended to harken back to HoMM 2 and 3, oft-believed the series’ glory years, but with a thoroughly 21st century paintjob and interface. The essential structure – roam a map, acquiring units for your army and boshing assorted fantasy monsters in the face in tile-based battles – is along very familiar lines, but… oh, I’m just dancing around a few key words, trying to buy time, trying to prevent anyone getting the wrong end of the stick…

So: it is a bit simpler, ok? There, I said it. But only a bit. Unlike KB – and again, that’s my primary frame of reference here, so you’re going to have to put up with a few more comparisons, I’m sure – there’s a strong emphasis on gathering resources, building up settlements, touring your holdings to check in on what’s become ready for collection and construction, and even having ancillary heroes and their armies roaming the map or defending your strongholds from enemies. Actually fighting stuff only takes up a portion of your time. Managing, upgrading and protecting your kingdom covers the rest of it. It’s big on numbers and short on explanation – you’ll work it out if you’re new to HoMMery, but the existing fans seem to be the group VI is mainly making eyes at.

Head over to VoodooExtreme for a Might & Magic Heroes VI trailer that offers "a look at the Haven, Inferno, Necropolis, Stronghold and Sanctuary environments".

News via Blues that the Might & Magic: Heroes VI beta starts today, for those that preordered. They also note the franchise celebrates 25 years this year, with Might & Magic Book 1: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum released in 1986 on the Apple II. Ubisoft has a trailer for the occasion, which shows some sample footage from selected titles over the years (and quite a bit of footage from Ubisoft's latter titles).

There's a M&M: Heroes VI combat video at VoodooExtreme offering " Sanctuary vs. Stronghold with commentary by the game's community developer".

News from Blue's that those who preorder Might & Magic: Heroes 6 will gain access to the Beta starting late this month. There's also a new trailer on offer:

All fans who pre-order Heroes VI will receive a key to access the Beta and be among the first to experience hands-on time with multiple single-player and multiplayer maps.

Mere weeks after the official press release announcing a June release of Heroes VI, the official forums has news of a delay to September:

As some of you are already aware there has been a change to the games scheduled release date.

I can confirm the release date is now 8th September 2011

Might & Magic: Heroes VI Lead Level Designer Julien Pirou and Associate Producer Max von Knorring have been interviewed at Hooked Gamers:

Hooked Gamers: In Might & Magic Heroes VI, there will be a heavier focus on developing your character and players will be able to (quote) “create the hero you want to embody”. It certainly sounds exciting, but what does it all mean? :) And how does the Reputation system fit into all of that? What does it do?

Max: In previous Heroes the random factor was quite high – when your Hero was leveling up, you had a choice between several skills but they were picked randomly. So at times it could be frustrating because you could never build the Hero you wanted.

Julien: In Heroes VI we wanted to propose something a bit different, where you can always see all the paths you can take to build your Hero, so the choice is really up to you. And of course we’ve brought back the Might and Magic classes for each faction.
The reputation is another way to emphasize the fact you can now build your Hero to reflect your favored playstyle. A Blood Hero will be more an aggressive, damage-dealer kind of Hero, while a Tears Hero is more about support and economy.

Ubisoft has unveiled the release date for Might & Magic Heroes VI on their forums:

Hi all

I’m pleased to confirm the releases date for Might & Magic Heroes VI for you all as follows….

US - 21st June
Europe - 23rd June
UK - 24th June

If you’ve not already, check out details of Might & Magic Heroes Collector’s Edition RIGHT HERE!

The Big Download has news of a European Collector's Edition for Might & Magic Heroes VI:

In addition to the game, the Collector's Edition will include four exclusive in-game heroes, two exclusive in-game items, a real world metal ring, an art book, the game's CD soundtrack, a t-shirt and a poster. All of these items will be put in an extra-sized box. The Collector's Edition will also have a one month free subscription to Ubisoft's browser-based MMO Might and Magic: Heroes Kingdoms. 

Ubisoft has kicked up a trailer for M&M: Heroes 6 showing off a combat sequence.

IGN has a look at Might & Magic Heroes VI and the new morality system they've introduced:

The last Heroes game was released in 2006, and stuck closely to its turn-based strategy-mixed-with-RPG roots (which began in 1995). The series has always been strong on story, a throwback to the original Might and Magic games which were strictly RPGs. Now, though, Heroes VI is taking things a few steps closer to what we have come to expect from modern RPGs, by adding a morality system -- a system that can change the ultimate outcome of the game, and is dependent on choices you make while you play.

The system is called Blood and Tears, and works on the premise that players typically fall into one of two categories when playing strategy games: defensive; ensuring their units are always healthy and playing cautiously, or offensive; mitigating the loss of life by destroying enemies as quickly as possible, and being totally ruthless on the field of battle.

...and a preview at PC Gamer:

New to VI is the reputation system, designed to boost role-playing in a Mass Effect Paragon-Renegade way. Value-burdened actions will add to your Blood or Tears reputation. Blood is the path of strong attacks and retribution, the kind of person who negotiates with his sword, and seals the deal with a kick to the downbelows. Tears is the kind of path that will let a fleeing army escape, and spend its Hero’s mana on healing, and spells like Martyr – a passive-aggressive buff that increases the fighting power of your stacks as they’re whittled away. Missions you’ll find on the map will also have “negotiate/fight” options, giving you another chance to up your Blood or Tears stat.

Then there’s the script and acting. I had to go back to V, just to remind myself how much better it all is – and sure enough, everything from the the unit tile pictures to the in-battle animations is ten times better. But that doesn’t mean the acting’s… good. It’s still earnest and slightly uncomfortable, in that Two Worlds 1 approach to fantasy kind of way – with lines like “ah, but now it is you who is the pupil, not the teacher, and the lesson is not theology, but punching horses in the neck”. Well, not that exactly, but you get the drift. However, although the script might not have the casual ease of Superbad, there’s an intelligence about it that lets you see that good people can disagree, and come to blows, both believing they’re right.

Eight new screens from Ubisoft's next Might & Magic: Heroes offering are available at Worthplaying.

GameSpot has a video from Might & Magic Heroes VI, showing "how the orcs decide to get together with the knights of the Holy Empire and the necromancers of the seven cities".  Producer Erwan Le Breton explains the story, with footage and art.

Thanks to Omega for this and several other items.

Worthplaying has a set of screens from Might & Magic Heroes VI, as well as some marketing stuff on the factions.

Here's a CGI story trailer for the freshly announced Heroes of Might & Magic 6.  It doesn't tell you anything about the game but it does look pretty.  Thanks, Omega.

UbiSoft has announced today that Heroes of Might & Magic VI will be developed by Black Hole Entertainment, the studio behind Warhammer: Mark of Chaos.

The new game will begin four centuries before the events of Heroes of Might & Magic V, the well-regarded 2006 release. In this follow-up, a legendary archangel unites the peoples of Ashan against his ancient enemies, under the pretence of preparing for a demonic invasion. However, his plans are complicated by the powerful dynasty of the Griffin Dukes. 

Update: Here's the official PR.

UBISOFT® REVEALS MIGHT & MAGIC® HEROES® VI

San Francisco, CA - August 17, 2010 – Today Ubisoft announced the return of the fan beloved Might & Magic franchise with the development of Might & Magic Heroes VI, which will be available worldwide on Windows PC in 2011. Developed by Black Hole Entertainment (Armies of Exigo, Mark of Chaos Battle March), Might & Magic Heroes VI will include all the characters and features that have made this brand a worldwide success, in addition to a wealth of new innovations.

“Might & Magic is a powerful franchise with an amazing 20-year legacy,” said Adam Novickas, director of marketing at Ubisoft U.S. “Players will be able to enjoy the Heroes experience like never before. The amazing creative teams at Black Hole Entertainment are keeping the original Heroes spirit, while enhancing the RPG elements.”

The Might & Magic Heroes VI adventure starts 400 years before the events in Heroes of Might & Magic® V, showcasing a family of heroes in a thrilling, epic story where Angels plot to revive an unfinished war.

A legendary Archangel general killed during the war of the Elder races returns to life with a vengeance. Under the cover of preparations for an upcoming Demon invasion, he unites the peoples of Ashan to eradicate his ancient enemies. However, he underestimates the power of the all too human dynasty of the Griffin Dukes.

The Griffin heroes’ destinies will be written by players. In the game, players will be able to:

• Enjoy the critically acclaimed Heroes gameplay, remasterized with the well-known developer, Black Hole Entertainment, and in close partnership with the game’s numerous fans.
• Experience the unique mix of Turn-Based Strategy & RPG: Explore extra-large adventure maps, collect tons of resources and build extraordinary cities. Perfect your tactics to level-up your heroes, recruit troops & ready them for combat on exclusive battle maps
• Shape your destiny: Lead the Heroes of the Griffin dynasty within an intriguing scenario. Choose your path, assume your choices and customize your gaming experience thanks to a brand new reputation system.
• Rediscover the richness of the Might & Magic Universe: Discover fantastic landscapes and creatures from the world of Ashan. Enjoy revisited 3D designs and an exclusive new bestiary.
• Share with the community: Post content & compete with your friends using a new and intelligent, online community interface.

For more information, visit www.mightandmagicgame.com.