The future of Might and Magic is taking a detour through the auto chess genre in the form of Might and Magic: Chess Royale, a game that will pit 100 players against each other while using classic units from the Might and Magic franchise. Might and Magic is a beloved classic franchise that has withstood the test of time, though recent iterations of the series have left fans with a lot to be desired: in particular, Might and Magic Heroes: Era of Chaos left many believing there was a lot of untapped potential for a series that hasn’t had a main entry since 2014.
While Might and Magic: Chess Royale will be another spin-off, however, it’s one that’s seriously interrogating what consumers know about two of the most popular genres in gaming today. The auto chess genre took the world by storm in 2019 when it first debuted as a mod called Auto Chess before spawning some of the most addictive and consistently challenging titles available on the market, most notably Teamfight Tactics from Riot Games and Hearthstone Battlegrounds from Blizzard. Fans of gaming are no doubt familiar with the battle royale genre as well, as Fortnite remains as lucrative and ubiquitous as ever while continuing to redefine what successful live service and content update models can look like for games that are ostensibly free-to-play.
Might and Magic: Chess Royale will look to blend those two genres together, as Ubisoft announced that the latest iteration of the storied franchise would be coming to PC via Uplay and mobile devices this January 30, 2020. Fans looking to preorder the title now can also do so on the game’s website, which went live alongside the announcement. According to a press release about the game, Might and Magic: Chess Royale has been designed to offer a faster paced auto chess experience than consumers interested in the genre might expect. The game will reportedly last just around 10 minutes, despite the fact that players will be battling 99 other competitors in tournaments.
According to the press release, Might and Magic: Chess Royale will allow 100 players from around the globe to compete simultaneously in what’s being described as a “strategic battle royale.” Players will be able to recruit their army from a wide range of classic Might and Magic units, and adapting to what’s required will be key to evolving as a player and competitor.
It’s an unexpected direction for Might and Magic to take, but it’s also an intriguing one. The decision to capitalize on not one but two of 2019’s biggest emergent genres could result in a huge payoff for Might and Magic: Chess Royale if the competing ideals end up meshing well together. Either way, though, it’s an exciting experiment from a company that’s unafraid to innovate, and Might and Magic: Chess Royale will be one to watch when it releases later this month.
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Might and Magic: Chess Royale will release on January 30, 2020 for PC and iOS and Android mobile devices.
