NEWS ON THE HOUR
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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NEWS ON THE HOUR October 19 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
Lighbringer 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.
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
The Elder Scrolls Online Update 40
The Elder Scrolls Online gears up for Update 40, set to launch on October 30th. This update introduces the Endless Archive dungeon, a challenging quest against a malevolent Daedra threatening the archive. Notably, this feature is accessible to all players free of charge. The dungeon boasts randomized stages and encounters for a unique experience each run. Players can expect various rewards, including Archival Fortunes currency for consumables and class set items. The update includes a revamped group finder and Grand Master Crafting stations for enhanced gameplay.
SWTOR 'Chains In The Dark' Announcement
On Wednesday, the Star Wars: The Old Republic team revealed Update 7.4, Chains in the Dark. This update, a significant addition since the transition from BioWare to Broadsword, returns players to the iconic location, Ord Mantell. It introduces a new landing zone, Kessan's Landing, offering fresh quests, achievements, and more. Familiar characters like Rass Ordo and Captain Byles return, alongside Petra Nihrum's introduction. Additionally, specularity tech enhances material realism, complementing chrome and metallic dyes. Character lighting tech is refined for cinematic content, providing precise shadows. The Galactic Trade Network undergoes a revamp for accessibility and efficiency. The official release date has yet to be announced.
Final Update for Gwent Announced
CD Projekt Red has issued the final official update for Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, relinquishing control to the community. The October season commenced on October 17, coinciding with the release of Update 11.10, marking the culmination of CD Projekt Red's card adjustments. Players will determine card alterations through the Balance Council, a voting system accessible to dedicated Gwent players who've achieved specific in-game milestones. CD Projekt Red's decision to sunset Gwent support was announced in December 2022, ensuring the game's online presence for years. This marks a significant shift in Gwent's future, placing control firmly in the hands of its dedicated community.
Warframe’s “The Abyss of Dagath” is Live
The latest update for Warframe, the Abyss of Dagath is now live. This includes the addition of the new Warframe, Dagath, inspired by the headless horseman legends, seeking revenge in the Origin System. Dagath wields the versatile Dorrclave weapon and is surrounded by wyrd scythes in combat. The update also brings a new zone, the Abyssal Zone, and companion reworks for enhanced viability. Grendel Prime, Hydroid rework, and various Nightwave mission changes are also part of this update. Additionally, Warframe is partnering with The Princess Margaret Foundation to support cancer research.
Unity Player Toxicity Report Published
There has been a 53% increase in toxic player behavior in the past year, as per Unity's 2023 Toxicity in Multiplayer Games Report. The study encompasses responses from 2,522 consumers. Toxic behavior, defined as disruptive play, harassment, extremism, cheating, and inappropriate content, was prevalent across various game genres. FPS games recorded 51% encounters, followed by sports/racing titles at 49% and battle royales at 44%. Conversely, card/deck building games reported 23% toxicity, puzzle games at 29%, and adventure/platformers at 30%. The report suggests fostering positive conduct and industry-wide collaboration to mitigate toxicity.
Eve Online’s “Havoc” Launching November 14
The upcoming Eve Online expansion, Havoc, is set to launch on November 14th. The announcement came via a new video where CCP Games unveils a major feature detailing player interaction with New Eden's pirate factions. Players can align with pirates for the first time in EVE's history, introducing a fresh dynamic to faction warfare. Pirate-aligned players can establish forward operating bases, spreading corruption throughout faction warfare systems.
Unaligned pilots must counter this threat, suppressing corruption's foothold. According to CCP Aurora, heightened corruption brings bonuses, from increased loot drops to altered security status. Maximum corruption levels could transform high-security systems into low-sec chaos. These changes are expected with the release of Havoc next month. Additionally, players were recently treated to insights into the storytelling of Havoc, delving into the new region of Zarzakh and the enigmatic Deathless Circle.