News on the Hour
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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NEWS ON THE HOUR January 18 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
Sail Forth Sets Sail, Surges Over 282,000%
In a surprising turn of events, the developer of the tranquil sailing game "Sail Forth," David Evans, expresses astonishment as the player count skyrockets by an astounding 282,041% following 2.4 million downloads on the Epic Games Store. Released on multiple platforms in December 2022, the free offering on Epic Games Store on January 11, 2024 triggered this remarkable surge.
From game studio Festive Vector, Evans acknowledges the unexpected response, emphasizing the overwhelming impact of Epic Games Store's promotional deals. Sail Forth, known for its customizable ships and immersive open-world sailing, continues to receive support with a recent patch and DLC, "Sail Forth: Maelstrom." The game, a unique blend of Dredge and Dave the Diver vibes, captures the essence of popular 2023 titles. Act swiftly to claim Sail Forth for free on the Epic Games Store before the limited offer expires today!
Larian Studios CEO Defies Trends, Rejects Game Subscriptions
Larian Studios' CEO Swen Vincke stated that their games won't be part of subscription services, emphasizing the importance of a diverse gaming ecosystem. Vincke’s response on social media came after Ubisoft's director of subscription, Philipe Tremblay, mentioned gamers must get comfortable with not owning their games for subscriptions to take off during an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. Vincke emphasized the value of direct developer-to-player connections and expressed concerns about a select group controlling market access. The industry continues to discuss the implications of this perspective while gamers loudly disagree with the statement on social media.
Major Revelations Await in ESO 2024 Showcase
The Elder Scrolls Online unveils its 2024 plans during a livestream at 4 PM EST on Twitch.tv/Bethesda. The reveal follows the Xbox Developer Direct, promising insights into major releases, including the next game chapter. Eager fans can expect Twitch Drops, an emote, and a 50% Gold Coast Experience Scroll. The excitement extends with the Guilds and Glory event, running from January 18th to 30th, offering ESO players double rewards for specific quests, heists, and sacraments, encouraging exploration of older content.
A recent content update for ESO
Bethesda Unveils The Elder Scrolls: Castles Mobile
Bethesda Game Studios has officially reannounced its mobile game, The Elder Scrolls: Castles. [Android | iOS not available yet]. Players can pre-register for early access, with the game currently available in the Philippines and expanding to more countries in the coming months. Despite a previous shadow drop and gameplay leaks, this marks Bethesda's return to mobile gaming.
The move aligns with Bethesda's 2019 acquisitions of mobile game studios. The Elder Scrolls: Castles, the third game in the franchise, allows players to build dynasties and make strategic choices. Bethesda's parent company, Microsoft, has been hoping to enter the mobile market, mainly through Activision Blizzard.
Rocksteady Founders Launch New Game Studio in London
Rocksteady Studios founders Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker have established a new game development studio in London called Hundred Star Games. The studio, incorporated in February 2023, aims to create cutting-edge gaming experiences with a small team of 100 industry veterans and emerging talents. Hill and Walker left Rocksteady in 2022, just before the planned launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Hundred Star Games, not officially announced, has already recruited lead developers and former Rocksteady employees. The studio is listed on GreatPlacetoWork.uk, indicating around 25 employees. No response has been received from Hundred Star Games regarding inquiries.
Wakerunners Unleashes Sci-Fi Mayhem in Demo
Mintrocket, the studio behind Dave the Diver, unveils Wakerunners, a team battle game set in a dystopian sci-fi future. The 4v4 and 5v5 action game, debuting its demo at Steam Next Fest on February 5th, features seven playable characters with distinct abilities.
Players can dynamically swap characters during battles across five game modes, promising a unique gameplay experience. Despite its original title, Project TB, Wakerunners awaits an official launch date, adding to Mintrocket's diverse portfolio alongside the hit Dave the Diver and the upcoming Nakwon: Last Paradise.