Ubisoft Charges $10 for Heroes of Might and Magic 3, Then Forgets to Deliver
Fans who paid $10 for the Steam release of Heroes of Might and Magic 3 received a 23.49 KB file instead of the game.
The Update
Ubisoft re-released the 1999 strategy classic Heroes of Might and Magic III on Steam on August 26. The listing promised the original game and its two expansions, Armageddon’s Blade and The Shadow of Death. Players who purchased the $10 package were initially unable to download the game. Instead, they received a dummy executable file that triggered an error message when launched.
Why It Matters
This incident highlights the friction points in digital game distribution. A single file upload error prevented hundreds of users from accessing a product they had paid for. The delay—lasting roughly 10 to 11 hours before a 770MB update restored the game files—underscores the reliance on patching infrastructure rather than flawless initial launches. For a franchise with a dedicated fanbase, the disconnect between the product promise and the delivery method raises questions about the maturity of digital storefronts.
What to Watch
Ubisoft has not yet publicly addressed the scope of the error or whether refunds are being offered. The incident also coincides with the announcement of a full remake of the title, which is set to bring the game to consoles for the first time.
Sources
- kotaku.com — Details on the Steam release error and user response.
- ign.com — Context on the remake announcement and gameplay preservation.