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...........
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 17, 2023
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
Local News & Events
Embark on a Conversationalist Guided Tour of a Haunted Gothic Inn, tailor-made for non-PvP enthusiasts. Defeat monsters in the dungeon if you dare, and discover three Fishing Grottos within. Bring your gear! The eerie inn awaits in Spite, City of the Dead. Teleport, find the Town Crier and head towards the stone walls. Look for the tower with bats and birds. Happy Haunting in the free MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar!
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.
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
Lies of P Achieves 1 Million Sales in Less Than One Month
Lies of P has achieved a significant milestone in less than a month since its release, surpassing one million worldwide sales. This announcement comes from publisher Neowiz and developer Round8 Studio. Neowiz co-CEO Seungchul Kim highlighted the global potential of Korean games, expressing pride in this achievement. Lies of P, inspired by Pinocchio, immerses players in the dark city of Krat, overrun by deadly puppets and plagued by disease. Players assume the role of a puppet on a relentless quest for humanity, facing deep combat and character customization. The game launched on various platforms on September 19 and is accessible through Xbox Game Pass. Director Jiwon Choi expressed gratitude for the overwhelming reception and hinted at exciting future developments.
Paradox to Host Mods for Cities: Skylines 2 Independently
Paradox announces Cities: Skylines 2 will support mods but won't utilize Steam Workshop. Instead, Paradox Mods, a cross-platform library, will handle mod distribution. This move aims to avoid restricting mods to PC, allowing console players on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S to join the modding community. Concerns arise over the PC version's performance, with Paradox struggling to meet internal benchmarks before the October 24 release. Reassuringly, Paradox commits to ongoing development, pledging performance enhancements post-launch.
Concerns Of Possible Layoffs Swirl Around MMO Dev Cryptic Studios
In recent developments, several well-known developers at Cryptic Studios, including senior game designer Jesse Heinig and community manager Mike "Ambassador Kael" Tatum, posted "looking for work" notices on LinkedIn. This has sparked speculation amid a climate of layoffs in game studios. While Tatum clarified he has not been laid off, uncertainty looms. Cryptic Studios, known for MMOs like City of Heroes and Star Trek Online, employs nearly 180 people. Parent company Embracer Group, amid restructuring, aims to reduce net debt significantly by March 31, 2024, affecting multiple subsidiaries, including Zen Studios and Volition.
Tease: Surprise Post Malone Appearance in Apex Legends
Famous rapper and songwriter Post Malone teased a collaboration with battle royale hero shooter Apex Legends. A video shared on his X account showed him asking to be revived, promising "two weeks of beautiful mayhem" with a release date of November 7. Details of the collaboration remain undisclosed. Apex Legends' official account responded with a hand-heart emoji. Season 18, "Resurrection," is ending, hinting the event may be part of Season 19. Post Malone, a gaming enthusiast, also recently made headlines by purchasing a unique Magic: The Gathering card. Fans anticipate this exciting crossover event.
Erik Peterson Breaks down how Steam Visibility Works
In a recent talk, Erik Peterson of Valve's business team delves into Steam's game promotion strategy. He emphasizes against a "pay to win" model, aiming to match games with players organically. Valve does not sell store placements, striving for fairness. Steam's automated curation spotlights unexpected hits, reflecting effective matchmaking. The video showcases breakout titles like Pseudoregalia and Dave the Diver. Recommendations hinge on player behavior, global trends, and genre tags. Revenue is a key metric for gauging interest. Peterson sheds light on factors that don't sway Steam's visibility, including store page traffic, review scores, wishlists, and Early Access status. Localization matters for wider recommendations. Steam's approach blends algorithms and curated features, promoting player-driven successes.
Farmer’s Life Emerging From Early Access
In the upcoming release of "Farmer's Life," players will step into the boots of a hardworking farmer, immersing themselves in the beauty and challenges of rural life. Developed by Appeal Studios and published by Nacon, this farming simulator offers an authentic adventure in agriculture. Players have the power to shape and explore diverse game mechanics, caring for a variety of animals, building their dream farm, and engaging in culinary adventures. The game emerges from Early Access on October 20th, promising an unforgettable farming experience. Established in 2012, FreeMind, the game publisher, aims to provide sources of pleasure and valuable life lessons through their creations. Join the farming adventure of a lifetime in "Farmer's Life" and embrace the joys of rural living.
