News on the Hour
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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NEWS ON THE HOUR January 16 2024
Local News
In Knight's Watch, a new Treasure Hunt is on the horizon. Belladonna Rose, the event organizer, plans to engage the community with an interactive challenge. Participants armed with a "clue book" will seek hidden clues around town, recording numbers and answers on provided sheets. The event promises a Grand Prize and rewards for second and third place, and everyone receives a "booty" bag of goodies for participating. The specific Date and Time will be announced shortly, inviting all Avatars to join the adventure.
The weekly Lightbringer Isle Auction takes place every Wednesday. Determine your prices, starting bids, and reserves. Drop labeled items at the Auction House or mail them to Hemnu Lighbringer, along with bid details. Expect a diverse array of offerings for a rich experience. Remember, a 10% commission on the final sale price applies. Visit the Shroud of the Avatar official forums for info.
The Robot Overlords are currently running a music hunt event in Shroud of the Avatar. Participants search for music sheets with a twist. Ten specific sheets of music are now listed on the official forums. Finding one makes you eligible for the grand prize. Discovering five or more earns an additional special reward. Players must post a screenshot of the sheet on the forum thread and its drop to claim victory. This event will continue until a winner is found. Happy hunting!
Download the FREE MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar today.
Lightbringer Isle hosts a monthly fishing contest that invites avid anglers to cast lines for the largest fish in the Isle’s salt and lava waters. Prizes will be revealed monthly for each group, with the ultimate Grand Prize awaiting the angler who nets the longest combination of lava and saltwater fish caught. Visit the Shroud of the Avatar official forums for info. Best of luck to all participants!
General Player Event Info
For more information about player-run events, developer game updates, and more happenings in Shroud of the Avatar, or to have your events broadcasted during NEWS ON THE HOUR for free, visit the official Shroud of the Avatar forums and the Avatars Radio Discord at www.avatarsradio.rocks/discord
For information about advertising your in-game business, guild or gaming-related products and services on Avatars Radio, visit avatarsradio.rocks/patron.
Metaverse News
Fortnite's Buff Peter Griffin: Budget is “Thin”
Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane was initially unfamiliar with Fortnite but embraced the idea of adding Peter Griffin to the game. MacFarlane revealed that Epic Games lacked the budget to create an authentic body for Peter in Fortnite, resulting in the muscular rendition introduced in Chapter 5, Season 1. Players can battle and defeat Peter as a boss, earning high-value gear.
MacFarlane's disclosure sheds light on the unique design process behind this crossover, adding a layer of humor to the popular game. Fortnite players can unlock the Peter Griffin skin until the end of Chapter 5: Season 1, concluding on March 8.
GAME Shelves Trade-Ins: End of Era
UK gaming retailer GAME is reportedly ending trade-ins, marking a potential shift in the industry. Comparable to the U.S.'s GameStop, GAME has been a key player since 1992. The decision aligns with a global move away from physical media, mirrored by Best Buy's recent decision to stop stocking DVDs and Blu-rays. Trade-ins, a staple of GAME's operation, have faced criticism for high mark-ups and limited value for customers. The rumored change, if true, hints at broader shifts in the gaming retail landscape.
Laurence Fishburne Joins The Witcher Season 4
Oscar-nominated actor Laurence Fishburne is set to join the cast of Netflix’s The Witcher for its upcoming fourth season. Fishburne, known for his roles in The Matrix and What's Love Got to do With It, will play Regis, a worldwide barber-surgeon with a mysterious past. Liam Hemsworth takes on the role of Geralt, succeeding Henry Cavill. Season 4 follows Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri navigating a war-ravaged Continent separately, facing demons and misfits. No release date is confirmed, but production is expected to start early this year.
Rebel Wolves Unveils Dark Fantasy RPG Dawnwalker
In February 2022, CD Projekt veterans, led by Witcher 3 director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, announced Rebel Wolves, a studio launching its debut game, Dawnwalker. Two years later, the title and concept art were revealed. Dawnwalker, a dark fantasy RPG, is in the alpha stage of development. Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, former lead quest designer on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, joined as creative director. Rebel Wolves aims to deliver immersive, choice-driven experiences, crafting a captivating world for players. More details on Dawnwalker are expected later this year.
YouTube's Anti-Ad Measures Trigger User Backlash
YouTube's recent anti-ad blocker measures sparked user complaints of slow load times and increased CPU usage. AdBlock users on Chrome reported up to 17% higher CPU usage, impacting lower-end laptops. With 60 million users, AdBlock violates YouTube's terms, but deliberate CPU spikes aren't disclosed. Users, including Premium subscribers, face slowdowns, raising concerns about impacting paying customers. YouTube remains silent on the issue. According to statements from YouTube's communications manager, while ad-blocker detection methods improve, users may continue facing issues. Troubleshooting paranoia ensues among affected users,
Ned Luke Takes Down Unauthorized GTA Chatbot
Actor Ned Luke, known for GTA 5's Michael De Santa, called out AI company WAME for releasing an unlicensed voice chatbot replicating his character. Not holding back, Luke criticized WAME's attempt to profit from his voice without permission. The actor tagged Rockstar Games and the SAG-AFTRA union, leading to the chatbot's removal. Luke expressed frustration over the weak union response and questioned the ethical use of AI in creative industries. WAME, claiming a commitment to ethical AI, faced backlash for using Luke's voice without consent. The incident underscores ongoing ethical debates surrounding AI in entertainment.
HP Print Division Faces $5M Lawsuit Over DRM
Hewlett-Packard's print division, responsible for over half of the company's annual profits last year, faces another lawsuit over its Dynamic Security printer firmware. The legal action, seeking class-action status, demands an injunction to disable Dynamic Security, allowing non-HP ink cartridges. The filing also aims for over $5 million in damages. Despite previous lawsuits and settlements, HP persists with its inkjet DRM introduced in 2016. In 2023, the print sector raked in $18 billion in revenue and $3.34 billion in earnings, indicating the profitability of HP's ink-centric strategy.