NEWS ON THE HOUR
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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NEWS ON THE HOUR October 18 2023
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
Hauntings in Grand Theft Auto Online
Ghosts have been unleashed in Los Santos to celebrate Halloween, prompting players to track them down and photograph them for rewards in Grand Theft Auto Online. Johnny Klebitz, a familiar character from GTA IV’s Lost and the Damned DLC, is among these apparitions. This October tradition in GTA Online brings forth 10 ghosts scattered across the expansive game map, each appearing at specific in-game hours. Fans have deciphered their locations, ranging from old cemeteries to waterfalls and trailers. The final ghost, Klebitz, can be found in Sandy Shores, where he met his demise a decade ago. Capturing all ghosts nets players $250,000, 5,000 XP, and a unique skin for the Albany Brigham vehicle, resembling a famous ghost-busting ride.
UK Developer Frontier Planning Layoffs
UK developer Frontier is planning layoffs as part of a strategy to reshape the company following disappointing financial performance. The announcement came during a trading update, with Frontier aiming to reduce operating costs by up to 20%. The layoffs are not immediate but are part of an ongoing organizational review to conclude in early 2024. Factors contributing to the poor performance include underwhelming sales of F1 Manager and challenging industry conditions. The exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed. This news aligns with a broader trend of layoffs across the gaming industry, impacting companies like Naughty Dog, Epic Games, Twitch, and Team17. We hope for safe travels to all those affected by the layoffs.
The Lord of the Rings: Return To Moria Releasing October 24
"The Lord of the Rings: Return To Moria" immerses players in an original Dwarven saga set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Fourth Age. Lord Gimli Lockbearer beckons players to reclaim Moria, delving into Khazad-dûm's depths. The game offers procedurally generated realms, ensuring every adventure is distinct. Esteemed actor John Rhys-Davies reprises his role as Gimli, adding authenticity. Players must strategize for survival, combat Orc hordes, rebuild, and uncover ancient artifacts. Co-op multiplayer and comprehensive character customization enhance this epic journey. Developer Free Range Games and publisher North Beach Games unveil a monumental gaming experience. The Lord of the Rings: Return To Moria is releasing on the Epic Games Store on October 24.
Baalphazu, Marquis of Terror, Returns to New World
Nightveil Hallow reopens as Baalphazu, Marquis of Terror, returns from October 18 to November 14 in New World. Engage the shadowy demon, don unique costumes, and seek candy rewards. Exclusive event items are available in the Event Shop. Spirits roam Aeternum freely. New skins include the Séance Mask Bundle, Fatebound Ossuary Weapon Bundle, Midnight Portents Armor Bundle, and a T-rex walk emote. Nightveil Hallow brings a new candy element, and quests will also receive fixes. Umbral Rite store unveils eerie skins. Updates address teleportation bugs, artifact balances, and mount system fixes, resolving Rise of the Angry Earth expansion launch issues. The season pass item bug was also repaired in the patch.
Season 5: Reckoning in Halo Infinite
In a substantial update, 343 Industries launched Season 5: Reckoning in Halo Infinite on Tuesday. This latest season brings a host of enhancements, including Forge changes enabling players to craft unique PvE experiences. Reckoning introduces new maps, a mode, and a 50-tier Premium Battle Pass with Flood-themed customizations. Notably, Forge empowers players to incorporate Campaign AI via the AI toolkit, granting control over 43 AI variants. Season 5 also delivers gameplay tweaks, two fresh Arena maps, and a streamlined 50-level Battle Pass. Extraction mode from Halo 4 makes a return, alongside exciting cross-core cosmetic options. Lastly, achieving the highest rank of Hero unlocks Master Chief's campaign armor for multiplayer use. This marks the third major update in 2023, reaffirming Halo Infinite's commitment to evolving content.