Heroes IV, Might and Magic IX go gold

Heroes of Might and Magic IV, 3DO's next turn-based strategy game, and Might and Magic IX, the latest installment in its long-running role-playing series, are both complete and on track to ship by the end of March, according to sources close to the company.

Heroes IV improves on the previous games in the Heroes series with better graphics, a new combat system, changes to the technology tree, and other new features. Like the previous games in the series, players can assume control of one of several different factions vying for control of a land set in the medieval fantasy universe featured in the previous Might and Magic games.

Might and Magic IX also includes a number of improvements on its predecessors. The most notable addition is the use of the LithTech 3D engine, but the game also has an all-new spell combat system, a new conversation system, 10 distinct regions, and more than 40 huge levels. Players will assume control of a party of characters, each with different strengths and weaknesses, and they will undertake more than 60 different quests.

Heroes IV and Might and Magic IX were developed by New World Computing, and they will be available in stores around the end of the month for approximately $44.99 and $39.99, respectively. For more information, take a look at our previous coverage of Might and Magic IX.