Imperial Hero

Imperial Hero is a free-to-play, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by the Bulgarian game production company Imperia Online JSC.^[1] The game was originally launched in 2009 after a year of conceptual and gameplay development.^[2][3] Imperial Hero is translated into 27 languages. In 2015 Imperia Online JSC released the remake of the role-playing game - Imperial Hero II, launched for Android, Facebook and web.^[4][5][6]

Imperial Hero
Original author(s)	Dobroslav Dimitrov, Moni Dochev
Developer(s)	Imperia Online JSC
Initial release	2009 (2009)
Platform	Web browser and mobile
Available in	27 languages
Type	Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Licence	Freemium
Website	www.imperialhero.com

Gameplay

Imperial Hero is a cross-platform game, based on the fictional Ayarr Empire, composed of 32 provinces. Players have to register at a website in order to join the game. Upon creation, the player's character is assigned one of three factions within the empire - Haroda, Farolin and Sonoria, which are in conflict with each other, and by extension the player is in conflict with other players PvP.

Players choose between three types of "hero" - ranger, warrior and mystic - with respective strengths and weaknesses. The heroes in the game win experience points by defeating foes – humanoids or monsters. The hero has a personal profile and can acquire titles on a weekly basis, which may offer bonuses. Players are encouraged to team up in a "Guild" and help each other in order to survive and prosper in the Ayarr Empire environment. The players control their hero which is the leader of their party of up to 5 mercenaries. Heroes and mercenaries can be specialized in one of 6 classes, which have different spells and abilities. Also, each member of the party can be equipped with items, which improve their attributes and make them stronger. By defeating foes and completing quests, the party gains experience and increases its level, which unlocks more skills and opportunities.

Combat

In the world, there are battle zones everywhere, where the hero's party can match their strength against foes of all kinds and varying power. The combat is automatic and turn-based. The player sets up their party prior to combat and then starts the battle, which is automatically calculated. The tactical positioning of units on the battlefield is very important.

Defeating foes has chances of rewarding the player with rare items, which can be used to improve their hero and mercenaries. Players can also collaborate to defeat powerful world bosses for rewards

Player versus player (PvP)

In Imperial Hero, players are competing with each other in multiple ways. They can attack each other to plunder resources, participate in fighting tournaments, or defend the borders of their faction against attacks from other factions in the Border Patrol. The winners in the various PvP activities receive weekly rewards based on their performance.

Crafting

Players can also pick one of the three main professions and one of six secondary professions, which allow them to craft all sorts of items, ranging from consumables to battle equipment. Players must go around the provinces to gather the necessary materials for crafting. During this time, they are sometimes in danger of being attacked and burglarised by other players. Once the raw resources are gathered, they are then processed into crafting materials, which can be used to craft some of the most powerful artifacts in the game.

Reputations and titles

While completing quests and defeating foes, players earn reputation with the various factions and sub-factions of the Ayarr Empire. These reputations bring benefits to the hero, such as discounts in shops and other perks, but also by providing the player with honorary titles. Most titles provide bonuses, and the rarer titles can provide substantial perks to the hero who holds them.

Trade

Players of all factions can trade resources, consumables, items and rare goods. This is done through the in-game auction house and the resource market.

Guilds

Players can organise themselves into guilds of up to 50 people. Guilds provide a way for players to communicate intimately, share resources and items between each other and complete common goals (guild quests). Furthermore, each guild can build their own Guild Castle, which is exclusive only to them. Building structures in the castle provides bonuses to all members in the guild. Guilds can raid each other's castles to plunder resources and damage buildings. Players participate in the raids with their own parties and are matched against the defenders of the target guild. Guild castles also have garrisons. These are multiple parties of mercenaries loyal to the guild and helping in the attack of other castles or the defense of the guild's castle.

Buildings

Tavern - for finding missions or earning gold

Weapon shop - for buying and selling weapons with gold or diamonds

Armor shop - for buying and selling armor with gold or diamonds

Jewelry shop - for buying and selling jewelry with gold or diamonds

Healer - for healing damage and buying potions

Temple - for claiming prizes

Award nominations

"Bulgarian Game Awards 2016” Sofia, Bulgaria:^[7]

• Nominee for Best World
• Nominee for Best Visual Style/Art
• Nominee for Best Mobile Game

“TIGA Games Industry Awards 2016”:^[8]

• Nominee for TIGA's Game of the Year Award
• Nominee for Best Strategy Game of the Year Award
• Nominee for Best Role Playing Game of the Year Award