So how do you think it will sell to new players?

[tumorbane]

ToE is not only a stand-alone product. It actually says "stand alone product" right there on the box. In addition to that, it seems to run faster. When you click on an enemy it tells you the "threat level." I can't imagine that's anything beneficial to a die-hard Heroes fan and seems directed to new players. Finally, there even is (gasp) a half-decent (at first glance) manual that comes with the game.

All of this to me seems like a concerted effort by Ubi to see what potential interest there really is in this franchaise. I imagine if it isn't financially successful, we won't ever see HVI.

[Jolly Joker]

Patch 1.6 has the threat levels as well.

[Pol]

I imagine if it isn't financially successful, we won't ever see HVI.

That's not likely to happen (fortunatelly). ToTe is apparently best incarnation of Homm V. representative yet. - Prepared for long time market run.

[Mirez]

ToE is not only a stand-alone product. It actually says "stand alone product" right there on the box. In addition to that, it seems to run faster. When you click on an enemy it tells you the "threat level." I can't imagine that's anything beneficial to a die-hard Heroes fan and seems directed to new players. Finally, there even is (gasp) a half-decent (at first glance) manual that comes with the game.

All of this to me seems like a concerted effort by Ubi to see what potential interest there really is in this franchaise. I imagine if it isn't financially successful, we won't ever see HVI.

I allready got 1 friend to buy the game and my brother in law so I allready did my part

[PhoenixReborn]

My feeling is that if it was successful enough to do a 2nd expansion then it's successful enough to do H6.

[ThunderTitan]

My feeling is that i could really use seeing some real sales numbers for H5 and exps.

As for attracting new players, the graphics is more likely to do that, because to experience the new features that help you learn the game you need to already have bought it... and if you're playing at a friend it's more likely he'd teach you instead.

Features and gameplay are for longevity (how long people still play it) and ensure sales and other benefits in the long run.