NEWS ON THE HOUR
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 server under “Metaverse News.”
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius
Local News
Morkin invites all brave heroes of Novia to venture into The Haunted Well, located in Drachenfels, on Saturday, October 21st. The dungeon is fraught with formidable liches, requiring skill and valor to survive. Visit the Dungeon 1 day before the event. Trophies await participants who bring books. Exploration is open until a day before the event. RSVP appreciated. For inquiries, contact Morkin in-game or leave a message in the thread on the official Shroud of the Avatar forums.
On October 28th, 7 pm NBT, in Duanor, the Guardians of the Silver Serpent Guild host the inaugural 'Get Your Barbarian On' Costume Party at GSS Great Hall. The party will be broadcast LIVE on Avatars Radio, and video simulcasting at twitch.tv/avatarsradiorocks with our own DJ Celith Wraine, spinning music for the dance floor. Plan your attire and join Guardians of the Silver Serpent for friends, conversation, music, dancing, and prizes.
MORE: Visit the Shroud of the Avatar Player-Run Events official forum
Gear up for the weekly Lightbringer Isle Auction, which 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.
A correction regarding the Sleepy Hollow Player Owned Town Halloween event. We have yet to be given any details; however, the event is canceled, and the organizer will not be present in-game to host it. Therefore Avatars Radio is cancelling the Halloween Masquerade Ball at Sleepy Hollow scheduled for October 28th unless we have secured a new venue. Please stay tuned to News on the Hour or the official forums for updates.
Metaverse News
Steam's Next Fest is Back
Steam's Next Fest is back, showcasing future releases with developer livestreams and playable demos. This event, hosted by Valve, runs until October 16th, giving gamers a week to explore a plethora of demos. The event hub offers easy navigation through categories like action and strategy, aided by Steam's tags system. Popular demos include Robocop: Rogue City, Survivor, Japanese Drift Master, Foundry, and Pioneers of Pagonia. Livestreams and community Q&A sessions with developers are also in full swing. Most demos are from indie developers, with a few major publishers in the mix. Remember, some games are still developing, so expect a few bugs. Happy demoing!
Epic Games October Free Games
Epic Games Store kicks off October with a freebie: Godlike Burger. No strings attached, no subscriptions needed. Snag it before October 12. Developed by Liquid Plug and published by Daedalic Entertainment, this 2022 release puts you in the shoes of a cosmic chef with a deadly secret ingredient: customers! Cook, serve, and, well, handle some rather aggressive aliens. That's the latest from the Epic Games Store. And looking ahead, mark your calendars for more Epic Games freebies: Blazing Sails (October 12-October 19) and Q.U.B.E. Ultimate Bundle (October 12-October 19)
Daedalic Apologizes for Gollum
Daedalic Entertainment, developer of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, faces allegations of unpaid overtime, subminimum wage payments, and a toxic work environment. The game's critical failure led to the closure of Daedalic's internal development unit and 25 staff layoffs. Employees described the exploitation of young, inexperienced workers. CEO Carsten Fichtelmann and COO Stephan Harms were criticized for a stressful, often toxic atmosphere. Internal efforts focused on damage control due to a limited budget and time constraints. An AI tool, ChatGPT, allegedly wrote the apology letter. Following Gollum's release, Daedalic shifted focus towards publishing and distribution, canceling the planned sequel, "It's Magic."
Minecraft’s Mob Vote Challenged
The Minecraft community expresses disappointment with Mojang's annual mob vote tradition. Players are uniting against this year's options, with a Change.org petition amassing over 220,000 signatures. Critics argue that the mob vote divides the community and results in missed content opportunities. The vote is set for October 13, with results during Minecraft Live. However, only the winning concept will undergo full development. The future of the mob vote tradition is still being determined.
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Unity CEO John Riccitiello Steps Down
In a significant development, John Riccitiello, CEO, president, chairman, and board member of Unity, a prominent game development engine, has stepped down amidst controversy surrounding the company's new runtime fees plan. James M. Whitehurst assumes the role of interim CEO, president, and board member, while Roelof Botha is appointed as the new chairman. The contentious pricing changes stirred unrest among indie studios, prompting a revised fee structure. Unity, known for its game engine, has yet to regain the trust of some developers. The company, which has operated at a deficit of $2.7 billion, may seek a new direction under a new CEO. Unity's third-quarter results are slated for release on November 9th. Stay tuned for updates.
PC Game Releases
Adventures of Steve the Cat
Animalia
Blob Life
Carball 360
College Girls
Counter Ops: Blackout Assault
Costly Adventure
Fall Of Elements, The
Forebloomed: Evergreen Edition
Forza Motorsport
Gearbits
Geist
Halloween Defense
Harvest Island
Hearts of Iron IV: Arms Against Tyranny
Hua Mu: Preface
Long Gone Days
Power Champions
Push That Cat!!
Sapphic Space
Sex Play
Unavailed
Wild Card Football
ChatGPT was used to assist in writing today’s news.
