<span class="sqsrte-text-color--lightAccent">January 23, 2024</span>
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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NEWS ON THE HOUR January 23 2024
SOTA Local News
The Syndicate, known as "LLTS" in Shroud of the Avatar, will host a St. Patty's Day Dance Party in Arx Draconis Lowlands on March 16th, 2024. Join the festivities at the Beer Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. Attendees stand a chance to win COTO giveaways and other prizes. Enjoy the tunes spun by Alleine Dragonfyre from Avatar Radio.
In Knight's Watch, a new Treasure Hunt is on the horizon. Belladonna Rose, the event organizer, plans to engage the community with an interactive challenge on February 17th, 3 pm Pacific Time. Participants armed with a "clue book" will seek hidden clues around town, recording numbers and answers on provided sheets. The event promises a Grand Prize and rewards for second and third place, and everyone receives a "booty" bag of goodies for participating.
Developer Update
Ravalox has posted the following notice on the Shroud of the Avatar official forums: “The Plaque seen in the Chicken Room during the event will be delivered to players who logged in during Build 1686 through Build 1688.
If you logged in during these builds while the Chicken Room Portal was present on Novia, then you will receive a plaque (one plaque per account).” He advises that there are many plaques to send out, so allow for time to do so, as they must be delivered manually.
The weekly Lightbringer Isle Auction 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.
The Robot Overlords are currently running a music hunt event in Shroud of the Avatar. 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. This event will continue until a winner is found. Happy hunting!
Download the FREE MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar today.
Lightbringer 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. Best of luck to all participants!
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 for free, 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
Study Challenges Link: Violent Games and Aggression
A recent study challenges the belief that violent video games lead to increased aggression. Conducted by Gary L. Wagener, a researcher at the University of Luxembourg, the study involved 54 male participants playing either a violent or non-violent segment of "Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End" for 25 minutes. Surprisingly, cortisol levels (stress hormone) decreased in those who played the violent part, suggesting potential relaxation. The study found no significant change in testosterone levels or aggression. While significant, it has limitations, focusing on male participants and specific games, necessitating further research for a comprehensive understanding.
Palworld: 'Pokémon with Guns' Hits Steam Record
In a record-breaking ascent, Pocketpair's Palworld, the "Pokémon with guns" open-world survival game, has quickly become a Steam sensation. Within days of launch, it hit 730,000 concurrent players, securing its spot as the 10th most-played game on Steam. The numbers kept climbing, reaching a staggering peak of 855,425 players, approaching Baldur's Gate 3's record. Palworld's popularity surged, hitting an unprecedented 1,501,100 players on Steam, making it the third most-played game in Steam history, surpassing Lost Ark and Dota 2.
In more Palworld news…
Concerns arise as Pokémon mods flood the Palworld modding scene. The Palworld Modding Community Discord is taking a stand to avoid legal repercussions from Nintendo. Server admin Archery 100 states the Pokemon mod poses a risk with likely ripped assets, leading to a ban on related links. Nintendo's history of targeting mods adds weight to their caution. Despite Palworld's success, the game's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, reassures that legal reviews confirm no infringement of Nintendo's intellectual property. Meanwhile, the game's darker side surfaces as players discover discovering that, to their horror, they can capture human beings and then sell their parts.
Indie Game 'Vampire Therapist' Challenges Gaming Norms
Berlin-based indie studio Little Bat Games is set to debut Vampire Therapist, a unique game challenging the norms of typical releases. The game, still in development, explores mental health themes within the undead, following protagonist Sam, a former cowboy turned vampire. Developed with input from licensed therapists, the dark comedy narrative incorporates real-life therapy techniques. Players will guide Sam and his 3,000-year-old vampire therapist, Andromachos, through helping quirky clients with issues ranging from social media addiction to supernatural narcissism. While it may not be for everyone, Vampire Therapist promises a fresh and engaging approach to gaming narratives.
Gif of a modded Cyberpunk 2077 game by Alleine Dragonfyre
CD Projekt Mulls Multiplayer in Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel
CD Projekt Red plans to launch full production of the next Witcher game, Project Polaris, later this year. CEO Adam Badowski aims to have around 400 people on the project by mid-2024. Using Unreal Engine 5, the new trilogy departs from the original Geralt-led series. CD Projekt is also remaking the first Witcher on UE5, developing a multiplayer spinoff, and considering multiplayer elements for Cyberpunk 2077's sequel, codenamed Orion. Badowski emphasized learning from Cyberpunk's launch and disclosed plans for the growth of the Boston team and the addition of an AI team for process acceleration, not replacement.
Pirates vs. Ninjas Fest Takes Steam by Storm
A new festival has set sail on Steam. Welcome to Pirates vs. Ninjas Fest, where players can dive into a sea of pirate-themed games alongside the world of Japanese ninjas and samurai. It's a gaming bounty with deep discounts on titles like Sea of Thieves, Shadow Gambit, ONE PIECE ODYSSEY, Risen 2, NINJA GAIDEN, Nioh, and Shadow Tactics. The fest offers free demos, a lineup of VR projects, and free Points Shop items like stickers and profile avatars. Don't miss out – this event runs until Jan 29, 2024