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Ubisoft’s Botched Release of Classic Might and Magic Game Was a Hilarious Blunder
Ubisoft’s Steam launch of Heroes of Might and Magic 3 Complete initially failed because the paid download did not include the actual game files. The error was especially embarrassing as the £10-equivalent release was intended to give fans the original game and both expansions in one package, addressing omissions from the 2015 HD Edition.
Buyers first received a 23.49 KB download instead of the roughly 770 MB game, with attempts to launch it producing an error and a dummy executable. Ubisoft fixed the issue around 10 or 11 hours later with an update, but some players still planned negative reviews; meanwhile, fans have also criticised the announced 2027 remake’s apparently generic 3D art style.
In short
- Ubisoft briefly sold a Steam version without the game files.
- A 770 MB update fixed the launch around 10 hours later.
- Fans are also wary of the 2027 remake’s visual style.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
This incident demonstrates unacceptable lapses in quality assurance at a major corporation. Ubisoft had a fundamental responsibility to verify that a paid commercial release contained the promised game files before launch. Even with swift correction, selling non-functional software represents a failure of basic competence and care for customers. That a company with Ubisoft's resources could miss such an elementary check justifies customer frustration and negative reviews as appropriate accountability.
The case against
Whilst embarrassing, this appears to be a straightforward technical deployment error that occurs occasionally even at large software companies. Ubisoft identified the problem and resolved it within approximately 10 hours, demonstrating competent incident response. Customers ultimately received the working product they purchased, and the extreme negative reviews seem disproportionate given the swift fix. Software releases inevitably encounter occasional errors; what matters is response speed and resolution, both of which were adequate in this case.
Explained simply
Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is a turn-based fantasy strategy game first released in 1999. Players build towns, recruit armies and explore a map, taking turns to fight battles and pursue campaign objectives.
Ubisoft is the game’s publisher, and its Complete edition brings together the original game and two expansions. That matters because the later HD Edition, released in 2015, did not include those expansions, leaving some fans without the full original package.
The series still has an active fan community, and Ubisoft has announced a remake of the third game for 2027. Reactions to both releases reflect different expectations about preserving the original experience and updating it for new players.