Heroes 3 on MacAir M1 ?[SOLVED]

[u/MaGaSi]

I tried almost everything from the cheaper / free options to run Heroes 3 on Mac M1. 2024

Here are the steps worked for me:

• get GOG acc https://www.gog.com/en/games
• buy HoMM3 (I was lucky, it was on a huuuuge sale)
• get Porting Kit and acc https://www.portingkit.com/
• literally follow the instruction for HoMM3 https://www.portingkit.com/game/236
• profit

What did not work not just for me: .PlayOnMac: couldn’t dowload Windows part .Wineskin: crashes every minute .those compiling stuff..

Note: After playing the way in the description, you do not need to run PortingKit every time, just run you HoMM wrap from the library it installed (I put it in Mac/Users/my username)

Keywords, to save some time in search coz it took me a day to find relevant posts: MAC Heroes 3 MacAir M1 Portingkit Winery Wineskin Apple Play PlayOnMac crashes

[u/snugglelove]

Download the HotA installer but don't open it. In Porting Kit, on the HoMM3 page, under 'Play', there's a 'More' drop down. Click 'Install Patch/Mod', choose the HotA installer from your downloads when it gives you the option tp choose a file, and go. It may say Mac can't open the file because it's not verified, but just close that window and the installer will launch anyway.

[u/Studko → u/snugglelove]

I installed hota via 'install patch/mod' put it in the same folder, but I am getting error: 'Your homm3 HD version is obsolete and not compatible with HotA. You should update HD or play HotA without HD.'
Normal exe and HD runs fine, but I would love to play HOTA, since it's better. Tried using 1.7.1 hota over complete version. If you or anybody else worked out this, let me know. thanks!

[u/zdalrovjezh → u/Studko]

Did you solve this problem? I am having the same one

[u/Studko → u/zdalrovjezh]

Hey man, I did. I have SHITTY memory - but I currently have 2 (4 with map editor and campaign) icons in GAMES>Installed in Porting Kit. I think I clicked on add Aplication and added h3hota exe as separate app (icon) into space. Not sure if it worked straight away but after some testing it worked. Maybe I even tried to not update to HD as last steps via those youtube videos, but only did it AFTER I created new icon (shrotcut or whatever).

I tried multiple solutions (order of steps from youtube videos of porting kit installs of H3) and one did work.