diff --git a/knowledge_base/faq.txt b/knowledge_base/faq.txt index b6ab896..ed5e1b8 100644 --- a/knowledge_base/faq.txt +++ b/knowledge_base/faq.txt @@ -1 +1 @@ -FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) **This article has been verified for VCMI 1.3.0 (release date August 4th, 2023) QUESTION: Again, what is VCMI? ANSWER: In simple words: Remake of Heroes of Might and Magic 3. We use original Heroes 3 graphic, sound and text assets to create a new game that is supposed to work 100% same as H3. Everything in VCMI is made from scratch - loading game files, drawing graphics, AI, game mechanics etc. We have a plan to support popular features from HotA, WoG and HD mod as well as some brand-new features, but there are many other areas that need our attention as well. QUESTION: What is the purpose of VCMI? Why to play or develop it if Heroes 3 is already there? ANSWER: Our goal is to make “better” heroes 3 that overcomes various H3 engine limitations and allows way easier extensibility / modding than the original game. Also VCMI is cross-platform, so it works on multiple systems such as Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS and Android. QUESTION: Is HotA / WoG compatible with VCMI? ANSWER: HotA and WoG are mods that work with original Heroes 3, VCMI is basically a new game. Still, they were ported by enthusiasts as VCMI mods, offering limited range of their features. When more VCMI features come, they may be used to re-implement missing parts of mods. For example VCMI scripting (planned future feature) while not being WoG focused work, will be a replacement for WoG’s scripting feature. QUESTION: Is HD Mod compatible with VCMI? ANSWER: HD Mod is not designed for VCMI. VCMI provides its own options for high resolutions and quality-of-life GUI improvements, some of them being a re-make of HD Mod features. More of them will come as the project evolves. QUESTION: Where to get latest version? ANSWER: We recommend downloading latest release from https://github.com/vcmi/vcmi/releases/latest - scroll to the bottom and download installer from your system. For Android recommended installation is from Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=is.xyz.vcmi QUESTION: How do I install VCMI (Windows)? ANSWER: Easiest way: Download release from https://github.com/vcmi/vcmi/releases/latest and install VCMI into Heroes 3 folder. Cleaner way: Download release and install VCMI into new folder, then when Laucher prompts for Heroes III data files select location of your Heroes III installation. QUESTION: Who works on this? ANSWER: Volunteers in their free time. VCMI is a non-profit project. Unlike most other Heroes 3 related projects VCMI is open-source, which means it is public and everybody can contribute. That also means project future doesn’t depend on “team members” abandoning it or deciding not to publish source code. QUESTION: Can I donate? ANSWER: No, at the moment we do not accept donation as we do not have any good idea how to spend potential money from donation. QUESTION: Where do I report bugs? ANSWER: Report bugs on https://github.com/vcmi/vcmi/issues, we strongly recommend using English language. QUESTION: How do I contact you? ANSWER: We recommend using our Discord server, our forums or our Slack. If you are not comfortable with English language - we also have language-specific channels on our social platforms. QUESTION: I like VCMI, how can I help to make it better? ANSWER: It would be best if you could join our Discord server or our Slack. We need C++ developers, QA/testing helpers and native mobile developers for improving mobile ports. There are also other areas, such as graphical design and content management, where we could use some help. You can also create mods with extra content to increase popularity of VCMI platform. QUESTION: Is VCMI Mod Design Team (MDT) part of VCMI Team? ANSWER: No, they are a separate group of modders, but we cooperate with them. QUESTION: When is VCMI final / 2.0 / whatever version going to be released? ANSWER: Open source projects never stop growing, and they tend to drift in different directions over years. As long as contributors like to add new features, VCMI will continue to evolve. There’s no point in waiting for a “final” version. It’s hard to estimate any sort of big milestones like “100% original H3 compatibility” since work on VCMI is distributed between fixing bugs, adding missing features, developing AI, creating new features that do not exist in Heroes 3 etc. We are not very close to getting rid of every single bug and having every single missing feature implemented, but if VCMI was just about that then we would probably finish long ago. Extensibility of VCMI engine requires doing various things “better” than original Heroes 3 developers did, and not just the easiest way. Engine is built with extensibility in mind, and various mechanics (such as creature abilities) are not hardcoded, but moddable. Our long-term goals, such as improved multiplayer, make VCMI harder to develop in short term. QUESTION: When is the feature X going to be released? ANSWER: If the feature you wait is on our issues list then you can use emote to upvote it, if not - report it so we know that feature we might be not aware about what is wanted. Everybody has different expectations and priorities. We also have our own idea on what should be higher priority and what not, based on various factors, including temporary state of project. We do not have any page with “what is currently being made” etc. simply, because such pages would quickly become outdated. This might be true for some already existing pages, such as our Wiki. QUESTION: When will it be possible to play online in multiplayer? ANSWER: As of VCMI 1.5.0, multiplayer has reached a reasonable level of stability and is playable, including support for simultaneous turns and turn timers. There is a lobby to play online with anyone in the world, which can be accessed from within the game: New Game -> Multiplayer -> Online Service (second button from the top). Alternatively, you can play over a local network using any supported device. Further development of multiplayer is definitely on our priority list. QUESTION: How close is VCMI emulating H3 gameplay? ANSWER: VCMI follows original Heroes 3 mechanics as close as possible and should be fully compatible with it. However, some obvious bugs were fixed, while some features were made optional. The AI is brand new and completely different. QUESTION: What are the options to customize AI? ANSWER: As of VCMI 1.5.0, the default adventure map AI algorithm is Nullkiller AI. It should be fairly challenging, however it may work slowly on low-end devices. There is an alternative faster but simpler VCAI, which you can choose in VCMI launcher settings. You may also check the Boost AI or Extreme AI mod, which provides options to boost AI and to speed it up. \ No newline at end of file +FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) **This article has been verified for VCMI 1.5.7 (release date August 26th, 2024) QUESTION: Again, what is VCMI? ANSWER: In simple words: Remake of Heroes of Might and Magic 3. We use original Heroes 3 graphic, sound and text assets to create a new game that is supposed to work 100% same as H3. Everything in VCMI is made from scratch - loading game files, drawing graphics, AI, game mechanics etc. We have a plan to support popular features from HotA, WoG and HD mod as well as some brand-new features, but there are many other areas that need our attention as well. QUESTION: What is the purpose of VCMI? Why to play or develop it if Heroes 3 is already there? ANSWER: Our goal is to make “better” heroes 3 that overcomes various H3 engine limitations and allows way easier extensibility / modding than the original game. Also VCMI is cross-platform, so it works on multiple systems such as Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS and Android. QUESTION: Is HotA / WoG compatible with VCMI? ANSWER: HotA and WoG are mods that work with original Heroes 3, VCMI is basically a new game. Still, they were ported by enthusiasts as VCMI mods, offering limited range of their features. When more VCMI features come, they may be used to re-implement missing parts of mods. For example VCMI scripting (planned future feature) while not being WoG focused work, will be a replacement for WoG’s scripting feature. QUESTION: Is HD Mod compatible with VCMI? ANSWER: HD Mod is not designed for VCMI. VCMI provides its own options for high resolutions and quality-of-life GUI improvements, some of them being a re-make of HD Mod features. More of them will come as the project evolves. QUESTION: Where to get latest version? ANSWER: We recommend downloading latest release from https://github.com/vcmi/vcmi/releases/latest - scroll to the bottom and download installer from your system. For Android recommended installation is from Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=is.xyz.vcmi QUESTION: How do I install VCMI (Windows)? ANSWER: Easiest way: Download release from https://github.com/vcmi/vcmi/releases/latest and install VCMI into Heroes 3 folder. Cleaner way: Download release and install VCMI into new folder, then when Laucher prompts for Heroes III data files select location of your Heroes III installation. QUESTION: Who works on this? ANSWER: Volunteers in their free time. VCMI is a non-profit project. Unlike most other Heroes 3 related projects VCMI is open-source, which means it is public and everybody can contribute. That also means project future doesn’t depend on “team members” abandoning it or deciding not to publish source code. QUESTION: Can I donate? ANSWER: No, at the moment we do not accept donations. There are some ideas for them that are discussed here: https://github.com/vcmi/vcmi/issues/3795 QUESTION: Where do I report bugs? ANSWER: Report bugs on https://github.com/vcmi/vcmi/issues, we strongly recommend using English language. QUESTION: How do I contact you? ANSWER: We recommend using our Discord server and our forums. If you are not comfortable with English language - we also have language-specific channels on our social platforms. QUESTION: I like VCMI, how can I help to make it better? ANSWER: It would be best if you could join our Discord server or our Slack. We need C++ developers, QA/testing helpers and native mobile developers for improving mobile ports. There are also other areas, such as graphical design and content management, where we could use some help. You can also create mods with extra content to increase popularity of VCMI platform. QUESTION: Is VCMI Mod Design Team (MDT) part of VCMI Team? ANSWER: No, they are a separate group of modders and most of them work on the other project (Day of Reckoning) now. QUESTION: When is VCMI final / 2.0 / whatever version going to be released? ANSWER: Open source projects never stop growing, and they tend to drift in different directions over years. As long as contributors like to add new features, VCMI will continue to evolve. There’s no point in waiting for a “final” version. It’s hard to estimate any sort of big milestones like “100% original H3 compatibility” since work on VCMI is distributed between fixing bugs, adding missing features, developing AI, creating new features that do not exist in Heroes 3 etc. We are not very close to getting rid of every single bug and having every single missing feature implemented, but if VCMI was just about that then we would probably finish long ago. Extensibility of VCMI engine requires doing various things “better” than original Heroes 3 developers did, and not just the easiest way. Engine is built with extensibility in mind, and various mechanics (such as creature abilities) are not hardcoded, but moddable. Our long-term goals, such as improved multiplayer, make VCMI harder to develop in short term. QUESTION: When is the feature X going to be released? ANSWER: If the feature you wait is on our issues list then you can use emote to upvote it, if not - report it so we know that feature we might be not aware about what is wanted. Everybody has different expectations and priorities. We also have our own idea on what should be higher priority and what not, based on various factors, including temporary state of project. We do not have any page with “what is currently being made” etc. simply, because such pages would quickly become outdated. This might be true for some already existing pages, such as our Wiki. QUESTION: When will it be possible to play online in multiplayer? ANSWER: As of VCMI 1.5.0, multiplayer has reached a reasonable level of stability and is playable, including support for simultaneous turns and turn timers. There is a lobby to play online with anyone in the world, which can be accessed from within the game: New Game -> Multiplayer -> Online Service (second button from the top). Alternatively, you can play over a local network using any supported device. Further development of multiplayer is definitely on our priority list. QUESTION: How close is VCMI emulating H3 gameplay? ANSWER: VCMI follows original Heroes 3 mechanics as close as possible and should be fully compatible with it. However, some obvious bugs were fixed, while some features were made optional. The AI is brand new and completely different. QUESTION: What are the options to customize AI? ANSWER: As of VCMI 1.5.0, the default adventure map AI algorithm is Nullkiller AI (NKAI). It should be fairly challenging, however it may work slowly on low-end devices. There is an alternative faster but simpler VCAI, which you can choose in VCMI launcher settings. You may also check the Boost AI or Extreme AI mod, which provides options to boost AI and to speed it up. In VCMI 1.6 the AI is going be updated. QUESTION: Are there any WoG options in the WoG mod? ANSWER: In VCMI there is no WoG options. There are submods for WoG with WoG objects that don't require any WoGifying. Also, some other WoG features are replicated in the WoG submods, like 8th level creatures, stack experience and commanders. QUESTION: Why is my text on another language? ANSWER: Check if you have downloaded the translation you need. If it's downloaded, you should check if Erathian Fonts mod is enabled, then disable it. QUESTION: Where are popular templates, like Jebus Outcast? ANSWER: These templates aren't implemented in VCMI as of VCMI 1.5.7 and HotA templates aren't supported in VCMI. Now some of these are added to HotA mod, notably the Nostalgia one and the prototype of the Jebus Outcast. QUESTION: I have installed HotA mod, can I play with Factory? ANSWER: HotA Factory will be added with VCMI 1.6. You either can download a develop version to play with HotA Factory (https://builds.vcmi.download/branch/develop/) or play with the custom-made Factory for 1.5. diff --git a/knowledge_base/qa.txt b/knowledge_base/qa.txt index 8586274..4f8e26f 100644 --- a/knowledge_base/qa.txt +++ b/knowledge_base/qa.txt @@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ A: This is not directly possible. This file is part of installed .apk and is not Q: How can I add a new map on Android? PC just copy it to the MAPS folder. But how do you do it on mobile? A: The same way, just copy it to maps folder via PC or by file manager, and put maps in android/data/is.xyz.vcmi/files/vcmi-data/maps. -Q: how can I copy map downloaded from map4heroes to vcmi in Android? Should the map function normally, or I have to convert it? +Q: how can I copy map downloaded from maps4heroes to VCMI in Android? Should the map function normally, or I have to convert it? A: Map will function normally, just copy it to Maps folder. Q: Hi, i have encountered a problem on Android. I don't know if this problem was seen before (or if it's a intended feature), but since version 1.4.1/1.4.2 (i don't remember exactly) there's a green line when the battle round ends. I think it's a bug because i haven't seen it on older vcmi versions. @@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ Then they should enter your IP address in connection prompt. Make sure that all of you use same VCMI version and same set of mods Q: How do I upload android logs? -A: Logs are stored in android/data/is.xyz.vcmi/files/vcmi-data/cache folder +A: Logs are stored in android/data/is.xyz.vcmi/files/vcmi-data/cache folder. + Q: What are the weather effects in VCMI? A: There are absolutely no weather effects in VCMI mechanics, or any other original Heroes of Might & Magic games. @@ -51,11 +52,8 @@ Q: Czy ktoś wie, o jaką maksymalnie wartość można obniżyć przeciwnikowi s A: Do zera. Przykładowo, robi to umiejętność Boskiego Anubianina (Divine Anubian) z Pawilonu (20% na zbicie ataku przeciwnika do 0). Q: Is wog lite available with the graphics changes and just tier 3 upgrades via vcmi or do i need to do it via era 3 launcher? -A: There are some parts of wog ported, and they are all contained in submods. Just install the WoG mod through the Launcher and disable parts of it that you don't like. -Please don't mix VCMI installation with any type of ERA or HoTA mods, it's best to keep every platform in a separate directory with its own Heroes 3 installment. - -Q: When will VCMI add Factory? -A: Currently Factory town from HoTA is not ported, as it requires brand new abilities and features not uet supported by VCMI engine. Factory port is planned for VCMI 1.6.0. +A: There are some parts of WoG ported, and they are all contained in submods. Just install the WoG mod through the Launcher and disable parts of it that you don't like. +Please don't mix VCMI installation with any type of ERA or HotA mods, it's best to keep every platform in a separate directory with its own Heroes 3 installment. Q: For the question I wanted to know if I can play with level 8 creature form WoG? I tried playing WoG and I do load in and play with a commander, but I notice the normal setting for WoG is missing? A: WoG port has implemented only a few features. You can play with 8th level creatures submod. In such case, these creatures can be hired only in external dwellings (not town) or can be upgraded from 7th to level with Magic Wand artifact. @@ -165,7 +163,7 @@ Q: Is it normal that I don't see giant map size? A: Yes, if you ommited UI enchancements. Install vcmi-extras from Mods section. Q: Is VCMI compatible with Heroes Chronicles? -A: At the moment - no. +A: At the moment - no. GoG Heroes Chronicles can be used in the 1.6 develop version. Q: how do I update vcmi while keeping my saved games? A: You can't. If you started map on some VCMI version then you should finish it on same version before update. @@ -177,9 +175,9 @@ Q: Guys, is it possible to edit vsgm1 save game file? I have been playing the AB A: As for save editing - not really. You can use cheats, for example `vcmiartifacts armageddonsBlade` to avoid blocking issue, but game saves are not editable. Q: How to attack with magogs on ground? It was 'g' in original. -A: You cannot. It is a hota feature not yet implemented in VCMI. +A: You cannot. It is a HotA feature not yet implemented in VCMI. -Q: , I was searching all over the place for tips on how to continue a multiplay game by loading a save — but with no luck. can you please point me to any guidance? +Q: I was searching all over the place for tips on how to continue a multiplayer game by loading a save — but with no luck. can you please point me to any guidance? A: You should: - Create new room - Switch "new game" to "load game" toggle below @@ -194,16 +192,16 @@ Q: Can I set a default catapult for a Hero class? I want to make a custom catapu A: You cannot, because hero class syntax doesn't include war machine entry. Having catapult is hardcoded for every hero. Q: OMG Map zooming? I'm old and blind. How can I set that up? -A: Simply use use mouse wheel for zooming in and out. +A: Simply use use mouse wheel for zooming in and out. On mobile devices the map can be zoomed via pinching. -Q: Is there an option to have the ressource display aligned to the left as in original? +Q: Is there an option to have the resource display aligned to the left as in original? A: It is not an original setup, it's a feature of HD Mod. In OH3 resource display takes entire width of the screen. In any case - there's no such option. Aligning resource bar to right was easier to do, so we went with this approach. Q: Is there a way to change the creature abilities back to just being a single line description, rather than a grid? A: No, VCMI dropped the old creature window layout as it was not effective in first place, and insufficient for displaying all available game mechanics. Q: How to activate cheats on Android VCMI? -A: Tap on status bar (brown panel at the bottom). This should activate on-screen keyboard. +A: Tap on status bar (brown panel at the bottom) or press Tab. This should activate on-screen keyboard on mobile devices. Q: Just installed HOTA and WOG on Android seem to be working. But not seeing new campaigns on either. Are HOTA or WOG campaigns available on mobile? Is factory available? -A: HoTA campaigns are not supported yet, but are planned. WoG campaigns are not supported and most likely will never be, as they require complex ERM scripts which VCMI does not recreate. +A: HoTA campaigns are not fully supported yet, but are planned. WoG campaigns are not supported and most likely will never be, as they require complex ERM scripts which VCMI does not recreate.