NEWS ON THE HOUR
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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Local News
Attention Shroud of the Avatar music enthusiasts! Mark your calendars for an hour of diverse tunes awaits, spanning all genres and eras on Saturday, November 18th, 12 PM PST, at Haven Ridge's tavern, hosted by Eveara and Lebu. There is no need for fancy attire; “just come as you are,” as that song by Nirvana says! This unique experience promises fresh, handcrafted songs coded with love. Unite through music as we anticipate a gathering like no other. See you there!
The Robot Overlords have announced a music hunt event in Shroud of the Avatar, that commenced on November 13th and will continue until a winner is found. Participants search for music sheets with a twist. Ten specific sheets of music are now listed on the official forums. Finding one makes you eligible for the grand prize. Discovering five or more earns an additional special reward. Players must post a screenshot of the sheet on the forum thread and its drop to claim victory. Happy hunting!
In Haven Ridge, an exciting month-long fishing event is happening until November 30th. Participants have a chance to win big in multiple categories, including a Grand Prize for Largest Lava and Saltwater Fish with a combined length of 2000 COTO's, 200k Gold, an in-game Gold Fishing Trophy & this is cool, Listeners, a sealed Shroud of the Avatar Video Game Box Set! There are prizes for the Largest Lava and Saltwater fish as well. Submit catches via In-Game Mail to Lebu Lionheart or use the Turn-In Chest near the main dock. Haven Ridge is just beyond Castle Atos in Shroud of the Avatar. Best of luck to all participants!
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.
General Player Event Info:
For more information about player-run events, developer game updates and more happenings in Shroud of the Avatar, or to have your events broadcasted during NEWS ON THE HOUR visit the official Shroud of the Avatar forums and the Avatars Radio Discord at www.avatarsradio.rocks/discord
For information about advertising your in-game business, guild or gaming-related products and services on Avatars Radio, visit avatarsradio.rocks/patron.
Metaverse News
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf 2024 - BioWare's Anticipated Release
BioWare fans await Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, with a potential 2024 release teased on developer Kevin Scott's LinkedIn. EA's Q4 2023 report dashed hopes for a late 2023 launch, coupled with internal delays and subsequent layoffs. Scott's LinkedIn entry, citing animated work for Dreadwolf, aligns with post-April 2024 rumors. The Tevinter Imperium setting and continuation of Solas' plot add intrigue. Despite past setbacks, EA grants BioWare time for a quality single-player RPG. Fans anticipate Dragon Age Day in December 2023 for potential reveals.
Game Awards 2023: Fierce Nominations Revealed
In this year's Game Awards, led by Geoff Keighley, nods reflect a stellar year for gaming. Alan Wake 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3 dominate, providing stiff competition for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Other noteworthy Game of the Year contenders include Resident Evil 4, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The ceremony is set for December 7th at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, globally streamed from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm (PST).
Amazon Games Announces Second Round of Layoffs
Amazon Games has confirmed a second round of layoffs, impacting approximately 200 employees. The company cites the need to focus on growing areas, specifically Prime Gaming, known for its free monthly games for Amazon Prime members. VP Christoph Hartmann mentioned closing Game Growth and Crown Channel initiatives to streamline efforts. The move follows a previous layoff of over 100 staff in April. Amazon's restructuring aligns with broader industry trends, with thousands of job losses reported across game development studios, including Bungie, Digital Extremes, Ubisoft, Cryptic Studios, and Frontier Developments, among many in the past several weeks alone. We wish safe travels to all affected by this unfortunate trend.
Final Fantasy XIV Cloud Stress Test
Square Enix is set to conduct a week-long stress test of a Final Fantasy XIV cloud data center starting November 20. The test, located in North America, aims to assess the viability of cloud data centers. Players can create characters on the server named "NA Cloud DC (Beta)" to participate, receiving 50 million Gil, Tales of Adventure: Shadowbringers, and Tales of Adventure III for each job. Character data will be deleted post-test. Expect potential long queues during the stress test. Share feedback on the official forums for improvement.
Calpheon Ball Returns: Exciting Black Desert Revelations
Pearl Abyss announces the return of the Calpheon Ball, Black Desert Online's annual real-life event, in Gwangmyeong City, Korea, on December 16-17. The live stream on Twitch and YouTube is scheduled for December 15 at 10 PM PT and December 17 at 1:30 AM PT. Players can participate in a three-week event starting November 16, earning "Daring Calpheon Seals" for contest entries, offering prizes like Vell's Heart and 2000 Cron Stones. "Inspiring Calpheon Coins" can be exchanged for items. The move from Los Angeles to Korea brings the celebration back to Pearl Abyss's home country, promising exciting content for 2024 across platforms.