NEWS ON THE HOUR
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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NEWS ON THE HOUR October 25 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!
MORE: Visit the Shroud of the Avatar Player-Run Events official forum
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.
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
Guild Wars 2 “Through the Veil” Launches Early November
In Guild Wars 2, Secrets of the Obscure expands with its first post-launch update, Through the Veil, slated for release on November 7. Available free to owners of the expansion, it introduces a new map, activities, and encounters in Nayos, the Realm of Dreams. Noteworthy features include Inner Nayos map, Convergences encounter type, accommodating up to 50 players. The Wizard’s Vault gains fresh rewards. Legacy Rewards tab preserves prior season exclusives. New relics for character-building and a tougher challenge mode in Cosmic Observatory strike mission enhance gameplay. The expansion will deliver more content through 2024, and a weapon demo event will run from November 28 to December 3, ahead of a major update.
Don’t Scream Announced With Gaseous Humor
A two-person development team has unveiled "Don't Scream," a found-footage camcorder-style horror game powered by Unreal Engine 5. Set in the early '90s, players must maintain silence using their PC's microphone to survive. The Early Access launch is slated for October 27. The game's unique feature, detecting involuntary noises, including screams and even bombastic flatulence, adds an extra layer of challenge. Players should calibrate their microphones for optimal experience and arachnophobes are advised to proceed cautiously.
Mystery Science Theater Season 14 Crowdfunding Begins
Joel Hodgson, creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K), has launched a crowdfunding campaign for Season 14. This follows a successful campaign for Season 13 in 2021. Hodgson aims for 6 to 12 new episodes, depending on fan contributions. The funding tiers offer various rewards, including access to the Gizmoplex platform, digital downloads, and special credits. The campaign concludes on November 24. MST3K, known for riffing on movies, began in 1988 and gained a devoted following.
Alice: Asylum Possibly in its Death Throes
American McGee's ambitious project, Alice: Asylum, faces a definitive roadblock. Electronic Arts, the rights holder, rejected the proposal earlier this year. McGee, transparent throughout the process, expressed emotional disappointment, leading him to step away from game design entirely. While fans ponder alternative routes, McGee suggests a potentially controversial solution: leveraging AI technology to bring the project to life using the extensive design bible created for Asylum. Legal and ethical questions, however, loom over this innovative approach. For those seeking further updates, McGee redirects inquiries towards EA, as he lacks control over the series' future. The design bible remains available for download, independent of EA's involvement. This chapter in the Alice: Asylum development saga concludes, leaving fans contemplating what's next.
Developer’s Feelings of Invincibility Effected Fallout 76
In a recent interview with YouTube channel MinnMax, Bethesda veteran Bruce Nesmith addressed Fallout 76's rocky launch, attributing it to the team's perceived invincibility from prior successes. As a quest designer on the game, Nesmith witnessed its development and subsequent challenges. Fallout 76 initially struggled with player engagement despite later amassing 13.5 million players. Regarding The Elder Scrolls 6, Nesmith revealed Todd Howard's early announcement was spurred by fan pressure, though Howard now questions the timing. The game's specifics will likely be available six months before release. Platforms for The Elder Scrolls VI remain undetermined, given its distant release date.
Ragnar Locker Ransomware Gang Taken Down
An international police force, with support from 11 nations, has successfully apprehended the hacker gang Ragnar Locker, known for targeting companies like ADATA and Capcom. The operation spanned multiple countries, resulting in key arrests and infrastructure seizures. The group's ransomware and data-leaking website were also dismantled. Europol's Edvardas Šileris emphasized the ongoing battle against ransomware, sending a strong message to cybercriminals. This event highlights the persistent threat to gaming industry cybersecurity, with companies like Sony also falling victim to recent attacks.
Diablo Blood Drive Prize a Human Blood-Infused PC
Blizzard is running a unique promotion, Blood Harvest, to mark Diablo IV's Season of Blood. The macabre month-long blood drive in the US will unlock in-game rewards as donations increase, culminating in a sweepstakes for a liquid-cooled PC infused with real human blood. The drive aims to collect 666 quarts of blood, with rewards unlocking at various milestones. This includes a custom PC featuring top-tier components. The sweepstakes is open to all US players over 18; donations can be made at local blood centers. The drive runs until November 20, addressing a current blood shortage issue. Rewards will be distributed on November 22.