Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre

Local News & Events

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. 

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. 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 Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 10 am to 1 pm Pacific Time, head to the Isle of Light and fast-travel to the Abandoned Mine Fight and Fish dungeon. Seek out Flair Minamoto for a themed uniform, mandatory for participation. Presentation of your outfit to Flair grants your fishing license. Join a party based on your uniform and navigate trolls to reach fishing spots. Prizes await, even a random booby prize. Tune into Flair's Shroud of the Avatar stream and join the game's official Discord server. 

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.  

For more information about local events & happenings or to post your own, visit the official Shroud of the Avatar player events forums and the Avatars Radio Events channel in Discord.

Metaverse News

Rocket League Bans Item Trading

In a significant development for Rocket League enthusiasts, the option to trade in-game items will be disabled starting from Season 13. Effective December 5, this move deals a blow to the thriving cosmetics market. Developer Psyonix, under Epic ownership, cites alignment with Epic’s cosmetic policies as the reason. The change also hints at the potential for cross-game vehicle ownership. This shift has sparked a wave of surprise and discontent among the player community. Critics argue it undermines the game's casual appeal. This announcement follows Epic Games' recent workforce reduction and raises questions about pre-existing plans by Psyonix.

Bandai Namco Releases Tales of Arise Trailer

Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for Tales of Arise Beyond the Dawn expansion, teasing fresh quests like "Zephyr’s Ring," "Where an Unforeseen Encounter Leads," and "Path of the Potter." There's even a sneak peek of a hefty dungeon and snazzy costumes. This expansion picks up a year after Tales of Arise, introducing Nazamil, daughter of a Renan lord and Dahnan slave. Get ready for over 20 hours of action with dungeons, costumes, quests, and boss battles. Even if you haven't tackled the base game yet, you can jump into Beyond the Dawn starting November 9, 2023.

Disney Contemplates Acquisition of EA

According to Bloomberg, Disney executives are reportedly considering a greater presence in the gaming industry, potentially through an acquisition like EA. CEO Bob Iger's stance on this remains to be determined. If pursued, it would signify a shift from licensing to becoming a major player in gaming. However, this would lead to something other than Disney directly producing games like Battlefield. The company traditionally licenses properties like Marvel and Star Wars, resulting in games by publishers like Square Enix and EA. While Disney already has gaming affiliations, its connection with EA is particularly strong, with collaborations on titles like Star Wars: Squadrons and upcoming Marvel games. This potential acquisition could significantly impact Disney's gaming ventures.

Pre-Season 1 in Warhaven Set to Begin

Slated for a global release on October 19, Nexon is set to kick off Pre-Season 1 in Warhaven. The highlight? A new character, the Bard, armed with an oversized lute, brings a unique blend of combat and support. And don't you love a good Halloween event? Warhaven's got one lined up, though details are still under wraps. Warhaven offers a medieval PvP experience for those unfamiliar, with various combat modes to suit your style. Swing by the official Warhaven Steam Store page for details.

Dungeons and Dragons Replaces AI Artwork

In response to the controversy surrounding AI-generated illustrations in Bigby Presents: Glory of Giants, Dungeons and Dragons has replaced artwork by Ilya Shkipin. Released on August 15, the sourcebook initially featured AI-created images, forcing Wizards of the Coast to take a stand against future AI art use. Freelance illustrator Linda Lithen shared new illustrations on Twitter, showcasing improved detail for monsters like Frost Giant Ice Shaper and Rime Hulk. Other creatures have also received human-designed replacements. While original prints retain AI art, all future publications will feature these updated illustrations. 

Stardew Valley "Festival of Seasons" Tour

The Stardew Valley "Festival of Seasons" concert series is an international musical tour featuring a selection of music from the game performed by a chamber orchestra. It offers an intimate, immersive live concert experience with fresh arrangements of cherished songs from the Stardew Valley soundtrack. ConcernedApe composed the entire soundtrack and is curating the music for the event. The Stardew Valley "Festival of Seasons" tour includes cities across the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Korea, and Thailand. Tickets for shows in different regions will be available at specific times on Friday, October 13. Further ticketing details can be found at stardewvalleyconcert.com.

PC Game Releases for October 11, 2023

• Crate Escape

• Hidden World War II Top-Down 3D

• Lair of Goblins

• Monolith

• Order from Caos 2

• Redraptor

• River City: Rival Showdown

• Sonny The Mad Man: Casual Arcade Shooter

• Survival Quiz CITY Festival Edition

• The Front

• Total War: Pharaoh

• Welcome, Get Out!