January 24, 2024
Good day, Avatars! NEWS ON THE HOUR is broadcast at the top of every hour, Tuesday - Sunday, 24 hours a day. The news we report is available for reading on our Discord in the Newsstand section...
Good day, Avatars! NEWS ON THE HOUR is broadcast at the top of every hour, Tuesday - Sunday, 24 hours a day. The news we report is available for reading on our Discord in the Newsstand section...
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
SOTA Local News
The Syndicate, known as "LLTS" in Shroud of the Avatar, will host a St. Patty's Day Dance Party in Arx Draconis Lowlands on March 16th, 2024. Join the festivities at the Beer Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. Attendees stand a chance to win COTO giveaways and other prizes. Enjoy the tunes spun by Alleine Dragonfyre from Avatar Radio.
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 on February 17th, 3 pm Pacific Time. 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.
Developer Update
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.
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
Star Trek Online Unveils Epic 'Both Worlds'
Gearbox Publishing and Cryptic Studios have unveiled "Both Worlds," the latest update for Star Trek Online. Currently accessible on PC, it is slated for release on PlayStation and Xbox on March 12. Marking the MMORPG's 14th anniversary, the update features the episode "Scorpion’s Abyss," with original Star Trek cast members Nicole de Boer (pronounced De-boar), Garret Wang, and Kipleigh Brown reprising roles. The "Battle of Wolf 359" Task Force Operation and the "King and Collective" in-game event offer players immersive experiences, while Elite Random TFOs provide extra rewards. The update also unlocks bridges for diverse ship use.
Palworld Pokemon Mod DMCA Takedown
Yesterday, we reported that Palworld modder ToastedShoes created and publicized his Pokémon mod to the world. On Tuesday, Nintendo swiftly issued DMCA takedowns, halting the mod's public release. Palworld’s base game also faces criticism for alleged Pokémon plagiarism; however, Pocketpair, the game's developer, maintains the main game is legally safe. Nintendo has not commented on potential legal action. ToastedShoes expressed determination to continue but acknowledged compliance if necessary.
NVIDIA Unleashes Game-Changing RTX Remix Modding Tool
NVIDIA has launched the RTX Remix modding tool in open beta, enabling modders to enhance older DirectX 8 and 9 games using AI-powered texture tools, ray tracing, and DLSS. Part of the NVIDIA Studio suite, RTX Remix provides a unified workflow for modders, allowing for improved visuals in classic games. The tool's generative AI analyzes low-resolution textures, generating physically accurate materials and upscaling resolution. While it simplifies the remastering process, RTX Remix isn't a one-click solution, requiring careful asset upgrades. The tool supports ray tracing, DLSS 3, and Nvidia Reflex for a comprehensive gaming experience.
Riot Games Fires 530 in Restructuring Move
Riot Games, the developer of "League of Legends," is cutting 11% of its workforce, or 530 now jobless human beings, to “refocus on a sustainable future.” The Los Angeles-based company, owned by Tencent, cited overexpansion and unmet expectations in various investments. CEO Dylan Jadeja expressed regret for the layoffs and emphasized the necessity of the decision. Riot Games plans to support affected employees with six months of salary, bonuses, job placement services, counseling, and visa assistance. The company will discontinue its Riot Forge studio and adjust "Legends of Runeterra" to ensure sustainability. CEO Dylan Jadeja claims, “…this is absolutely the last thing we ever wanted to do.”
New World Overhauls Content, Merges Servers
In the latest update from New World, the Legacy of Crassus event concludes with bug fixes and adjustments to Eternal Frost content. Notable changes include Daichi Sato's health boost, reduced solo trial Ice Guardian's health, and Moredred's health in the Eternal Frost Soul Trial. The update addresses crashes, including Expedition entry/exit issues. Server transfer problems are fixed, coinciding with the announcement of 2024 merges: Central EU sees Hercules merge into Canis, and US-East merges Orion and Pollux into Octans on January 25th. Discontinued server access ends, ensuring a smooth transition.
British Army Recruitment in Kids Game Causes Backlash
Epic Games faces controversy as a British Army recruitment promo involving a custom Fortnite Island sparked debate. Social media posts and a trailer teasing a custom mode for the British Army's recruitment drive were deleted, raising speculation about backlash over using a kid's game for military recruiting. Despite the mode being "not sponsored" by Epic Games, the company clarified that the island was still undergoing moderation. A livestream planned for Jan. 24 featuring British YouTubers may be in jeopardy. Efforts to recruit through Fortnite face criticism, as the game is primarily played by a younger audience, contrary to Epic Games' guidelines.
