You can read my summary of the top news of the year here. While you are there, tell us what are your top events of 2005 in the gaming world (Heroes and other games as well).
The Year in Review
January
After several years on the GameSpy network, Celestial Heavens relaunches on its own server. The move has several benefits: a faster access to maps, smaller ads, less downtime, and several new features including the ever popular news comments.
There are some concerns about the future of Ubisoft and its properties and various parties, including the government of France, wonder how they could prevent the acquisition of the publisher by Electronic Arts. While the saga does not make the news as often anymore, the threat is still present today.
After a short-lived rumor according to which Heroes V would be announced in January, fans decide to contact Ubisoft's marketing department. The confusing answers, which refer to Settlers V and 3DO in error, are quite entertaining. Some rumors also claim that Electronic Arts is responsible for the delay.
February
Trip Hawkins, founder of Electronic Arts and 3DO, enters the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.
The Might and Magic Tribute relocates to Castle Gobs while the community is without news from the original founder of the project, Sir Felgar.
March
The Ubisoft product catalog mentions two games of the Might and Magic brand to be released in 2006. The second game, which we originally assumed to be Heroes of Might and Magic Online or Might and Magic X, was Dark Messiah.
Ubisoft finally announces Heroes of Might and Magic V and opens a teaser site and forums.
April
Sir Mullich reveals in our forum that Jon Van Caneghem's project at NCSoft is cancelled and the creator of the Might and Magic series is unemployed. NCSoft confirmed the news later during the month. Jon's name sometimes appear in the standings of a car racing Web site.
Nival Interactive is acquired by Ener1 Group, an American company.
There is a new Heroes game in the work, and it does not require a computer. DGA Games told Celestial Heavens about their upcoming Collectible Card and Tile Game based on Heroes of Might and Magic IV.
Editor Psychobabble posts his 100th map review, an impressive accomplishment.
Long-time community member and mapmaker Lady Melanthe passes away a month after the birth of her daughter. Her mother announced the terrible news herself on a forum.
May
Rob King confirms to Celestial Heavens that the rumor about his work on on the Heroes V soundtrack with his long-time partner Paul Romero are true.
During the E3 2005 in Los Angeles, Heroes V gets a trailer movie, numerous screenshots and countless previews. The most interesting one was written by none other than Sir Mullich for Celestial Heavens. Eric Newman and Ian Barkley-Yeung also posted their impressions here.
Sir Charles opens the Genies' Lamp. The former H3Trio administrator put together all the information available on Heroes V with various tables, images and links.
July
We learn that Olivier Ledroit, a famous French illustrator, is involved in the Heroes V project.
August
The Oracle League, a tournament established back in 1996, reopens and promises to bring some life back to the multiplayer scene.
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic is announced, a first-person action game powered by Valve's Source engine. The game is previewed by several publications later on.
Timothy Duncan, better known as Corribus, starts a column on Celestial Heavens. His first topic, Heroes V being considered a Heroes III remake, generates a lot of discussions.
The results of the Celestial Heavens mapmaking contest are announced. Truth and Justice is the grand winner.
Ubisoft starts taking registrations for the Heroes V closed beta test. There are several thousand entries from all around the world.
Rumors are being spread about Heroes V using a new copy-protection scheme called Starforce.
September
In a chat session on IRC, Fabrice shares some details about the upcoming beta test, the system requirements and the multiplayer modes.
The mightandmagic.com Web site opens and provide information about Heroes V and Dark Messiah.
October
The closed beta test begins after a delay. All testers are under a non-disclosure agreement, so no information is disclosed on the Internet.
Age of Heroes, the home of the Heroes Community forums, relaunches with a completely new design.
Heroes IV Complete, a repackaging of the core game and its expansions that was originally planned by 3DO a long time ago, hits the store with some bits of info about Heroes V.
Psychobabble publishes a positive review of the Heroes IV Tile and Card game: "For players looking for a good strategic tabletop game which captures the feel of Heroes of Might and Magic, I can certainly recommend the game - it's got a lot going for it and provides a much different experience from the computer game."
December
Target has a special preorder for Heroes V at $19.99. A lot of fans decided to jump on the offer.
Trying to put an end to the rumors about the side effects of its copy protection system, Starforce opens a contest with a prize of $3000.
