Expandable Content

Last Updated: 05/19/13

About Expandable Content

Several players have been asking about the availability of expandable content on mobile devices, so I'm putting this page together to explain as clearly as possible "what is" and "what is not" included in Hero Mages across the various platforms it is offered on.

Cross-Platform Availability

Hero Mages is a cross-platform multiplayer game. What this means is that Hero Mages is distributed on multiple platforms, such as PC, Mac, and mobile devices, and can be played seamlessly with other players using any of the devices. In other words, there is no special multiplayer server for iOS and Android users- everyone plays on the same server together. Hero Mages is currently offered on the following platforms:

Web Browser

Hero Mages is offered a free-to-play game via Adobe Flash player at www.heromages.com/game. Anyone who visits this site can play the single player tutorial campaign entirely for free AND has the option to create a free multiplayer account and play games online vs. players from around the world. D20Studios is able to offer this free service thanks to select users who choose to support the game by purchasing expandable content services including additional playable characters for the game and the ability to save custom maps. There are (3) expansions currently available: Dark Avengers (Adds Summoner, Barbarian, and Soul Reaver to player roster), Arcane Disciples (Adds Wizard, Psionist, and Samurai to player roster), and Map Editor Saves (Adds 10 map editor save slots). All of these expansions are $10 USD each purchasable via Paypal within the web interface.

iOS for iPhone3Gs, iPhone4, iPhone4S, iPodTouch (3 & 4) & iPad

Hero Mages App is sold in the App Store for $2.99. This app includes:

  • Six campaign missions entertain your sense of fantasy RPG humor as the precocious characters of Papillion teach you how to play this simple yet compelling game
  • Over 80 diverse spells and abilities offer limitless opportunities for creative strategies and intense, climatic struggles
  • 6 unique playable character classes to build your offline and multiplayer battle party (Sorceress, Fighter Mage, Warrior, Paladin, Rogue, and Bard) as well as special characters encountered in the single player campaign and used by the computer.
  • Multiplayer - Play free for all, team, and cooperative games with up to 8 players at once from all over the world!
  • Quick Battle – An offline, single player mode that pits the player in a randomly generated battle against the computer.
  • Custom Battle – An offline, single player mode that allows you to create custom battle scenarios against the computer
  • Robust multiplayer statistics tracking and leaderboards
  • Play on any device! Hero Mages automatically adapts to fill the screen of your iPhone and iPad.
  • Rejoin Live Games – Spectate live games or rejoin a game if you lose your connection

Expansion content cannot currently be purchased on the iOS version. Players who have previously purchased expansion content will be able to use this content if they purchase the iOS version as this content is tied to your multiplayer account, not your device.

Android via Google Play

Hero Mages is offered on Google Play via two apps: Hero Mages Silver and Hero Mages Gold (labeled as just "Hero Mages"). Here is what each version comes with:

*** WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH SILVER (Free) ***

  • 6 Mission Singleplayer RPG Story-Driven Tutorial Campaign
  • Multiplayer gameplay
  • 6 unique playable character classes to build your battle party

*** WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH GOLD (2.99) ***

  • All of the features of Hero Mages Silver
  • Quick Battle – An offline, single player mode that pits the player in a randomly generated battle against the computer.
  • Custom Battle – An offline, single player mode that allows you to create custom battle scenarios against the computer

*** WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED ***

  • Expandable Content (expansion characters, ability to save custom maps)
  • Expansion content is not supported on Android via In-App billing. Players who have previously purchased expansion content will be able to use this content on their Android device as the content is tied to your multiplayer account, not your device.

Android via Amazon Appstore

Hero Mages is sold in the Amazon Appstore for $2.99. It includes the same content as Hero Mages Gold for Google Play.

In-App Purchases

There are (3) In-App purchases available for the iOS, Google Play, and Amazon versions of the Hero Mages and Hero Mages Silver mobile apps: Dark Avengers, Arcane Disciples, Map Saves Pack. Each expansion costs $1.99 USD and purchases are tied to your Hero Mages account (not your device) so you can use them on any platform once purchased.

What to Expect in the Future

Hero Mages is more than just a $2.99 app that gets played a few times and discarded: it's a unique and ever evolving world with a diverse and interactive online community. It is my intention to support and grow this game for many years to come, similar to how popular favorites like Dungeons and Dragons and World of Warcraft have entertained millions of people spanning over decades of time. While I am constantly adding numerous features for free at the request of the player commuity (see the giant list of features already added here), paid expandable content is crucial to supporting the continous development of the game. I appreciate your support so that I can continue to grow Hero Mages and keep it entertaining well into the future.

I recognize the needs of our mobile players wanting to access current and future expandable content which is why I am currently working to expand the game world and offer new features that will allow players to access new content. Below are some of the ideas being developed:

Player Rewards

Multiplayer community is the corner stone of Hero Mages. It's important that players are online to play games with others and that they share the game with their friends. This is why I am working on a "player reward" system that would allow players to gain experience/credits/etc. for participating in activities that help grow our community. This might include things like:

  • Playing online games
  • Participating in the forums
  • Liking our Facebook page
  • Retweeting our announcements
  • Referring Friends to the game

Each activity would earn you points that you can use to purchase new content within the game.

More Content!

With all the point-earning going on, players will soon run out of the new content if there isn't a nice supply of "goodies" to acquire. So, also coming soon will be a plethora of new consumable options. Let's put aside the obvious guesses (skins, avatars, etc.) - while sometimes cool, do these really add value to gameplay? I'm talking more like new spells, new abilities, new characters, heck, maybe some new single player missions and game modes! The great thing about participating in the community is that you- the player- will have a voice in the kinds of new content we build into the game.

And there you have it.

This sums up the idea behind expandable content and the roadmap/goals for Hero Mages moving forward. Never forget that what's great about this game is that you have a say. I, and the rest of the community, want to hear your thoughts on these ideas. So, please join us on the forums and post away: http://heromages.com/forums/index.php?topic=407.0

Questions?

Contact Ross direct at ross@d20studios.com. Response time is normally within the hour (seriously) but if I don't get back to you by then, you should definately get a response within 12-24 hours.