Final test before launch: the creators of Olden Era will put the game through a stress test

Unfrozen has invited all players to take part in a global stress test ahead of the Early Access launch of Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era. The test will take place on April 22 from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM Moscow time.

Anyone can participate in the test. All you need to do is download the game’s demo on Steam and launch it during the specified time window. No additional registration or key distribution will be required. The main goal is to gather as many players as possible at the same time to see how the servers handle heavy load and to identify and fix potential issues before the official launch.

During the stress test, only the multiplayer “Arena” mode will be available, designed for fast-paced and dynamic turn-based battles. Players will be able to choose from four of the game’s six factions: Temple, Necropolis, Dungeon, and Hive. Early Access for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era will begin on April 30, 2026 for PC via Steam and Microsoft Store. Moreover, PC Game Pass subscribers will get access to the game at no additional cost.

Players can expect a substantial amount of content: six unique factions, the first act of the story campaign, with later chapters to be added afterward, pre-made scenarios, and several multiplayer modes — Classic, One Hero, and Arena — complete with matchmaking, leaderboards, and PvP support. The developers expect the project to remain in Early Access for about a year before a full release, including on consoles.

Replayability is also receiving special attention. Olden Era will feature a random map generator with various templates, as well as a hot-seat mode for playing on one computer. Players looking for extra challenges will get a series of puzzles, while creative fans will have access to an early version of the map editor, allowing them to create their own scenarios.

The developers emphasize that Early Access will be an important stage in the project’s development, with the community able to directly influence the game’s future through feedback. More content is planned down the line, including new campaign acts, scenarios, and additional features.

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era made it into Steam’s top 10 most wishlisted games.

Are you looking forward to the return of Heroes? What are you most excited about in the new game?