News on the Hour
Friday, January 19, 2024 - Weekend Edition
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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NEWS ON THE HOUR WEEKEND January 19 2024
Local News
Developer Ravalox has posted the following notice on the Shroud of the Avatar official forums: “The Plaque seen in the Chicken Room during the event will be delivered to players who logged in during Build 1686 through Build 1688. If you logged in during these builds while the Chicken Room Portal was present on Novia, then you will receive a plaque (one plaque per account).” He advises that there are many plaques to send out, so allow for time to do so, as they must be delivered manually.
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
Steam Opens Gates for AI-Generated Games
Valve has greenlit games created with generative AI on Steam, making disclosure its only requirement. This is good news for the 49% of game studios responding to The 2024 Game Developers Conference survey who already use generative AI, with coding assistance being the top application. Controversies arise when AI generates visible or audible content, as seen in Square Enix's Foamstars and The Finals. Finance, marketing, PR, production, and management departments lead in AI adoption. While 42% express serious ethical concerns, only 12% have explicit anti-AI policies. Developers emphasize AI should enhance, not replace, human capabilities, urging regulation to address ethical challenges. The Game Developers Conference surveyed 3,000 developers.
Gaming Industry Faces Layoffs, Uncertain Future Ahead
The Game Developers Conference’s newly published 2024 State of the Game Industry report also reveals that in 2023, despite hit games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Spider-Man 2, the gaming industry faced a dark side. A staggering 6,500 job cuts hit major studios like Amazon Games and Ubisoft, impacting one-third of developers globally, revealing alarming data and corporate bad behavior. Layoffs affected 35%, with quality assurance workers hit hardest at 22%. Concerns about future cuts loomed for 56% of respondents. The struggles of acquisitions, exemplified by Embracer Group, raised doubts about industry consolidation. Job insecurity, visa threats, and toxic work environments fueled support for unionization, with 57% backing it. The toll on talent and morale sets a challenging future for the gaming landscape.
Behaviour Interactive Announces Staff Layoffs in Montreal
Continuing the layoffs catastrophe of 2023, Behaviour Interactive, the developer of Dead by Daylight, is now one of the first to report laying off employees in 2024. The layoff impacted 45 human beings, or as Behaviour puts it, less than 3% of its total workforce of approximately 1,300 staff. The layoffs were exclusive to the Montreal team and occurred from January 9th to 11th. The studio cited changing market conditions for adjusting project scopes, expressing a preference for reassigning talent, though they claim it was not always possible. This follows earlier layoffs in December. In 2023, Behaviour Interactive acquired SockMonkey Studios in February, Codeglue in August, and established a brand new United Kingdom studio in July.
Street Fighter 6 Unleashes Ed's Powerful Return
Capcom has announced the launch of Street Fighter 6's new DLC character, Ed, in February. Ed, known as the psycho-powered boxer, debuted in Street Fighter IV, became DLC in Street Fighter V, and now returns in Street Fighter 6.
He'll be available for Deluxe Edition, Ultimate Edition, or Year 1 Character Pass owners. The teaser trailer showcases Ed's growth and powerful abilities. Street Fighter 6 achieved three million sales in seven months since its June 2, 2023 release, meeting Capcom's expectations. Akuma is set to follow Ed in the game's Spring 2024 release.
Destiny 2 Overhaul: Players' Wishes Granted
Bungie has responded to player concerns in a major update for Destiny 2. The Final Shape expansion, delayed to June 2024, aims to redeem 2023's rocky Lightfall release. Today's "This Week in Destiny" post unveils significant changes, including free character customization at any time—long requested by players, while certain origin choices remain fixed. The Synthweave bounty cap resets in March, allowing more ornament transmogs. Additionally, Fall 2024 promises a wizard-themed Festival of the Lost, with players voting on armor sets. Destiny 2 addresses a longstanding gripe by doubling the Glimmer cap to 500,000, a significant win for the community.
Indiana Jones' New Adventure: Great Circle Unveiled
Machine Games revealed the name and showcased gameplay of their upcoming Indiana Jones game, "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle," during an Xbox Developer Direct.
Launching later this year, the adventure is set in 1937, with Indy chasing a stolen relic across global locations like Egypt and the Himalayas. The first-person experience includes shootouts and fist fights, with a third-person perspective during climbing. Troy Baker will perform Harrison Ford's likeness. The game introduces a new character, Gina, an investigative journalist partnering with Dr. Jones. The Great Circle emphasizes player choice, offering multiple solutions to puzzles and various playstyles.