NEWS ON THE HOUR
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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NEWS ON THE HOUR November 8 2023
The Robot Overlords have announced a music hunt event in Shroud of the Avatar, set to commence on November 13th. Participants will search for music sheets, with a twist. Ten specific sheets will be listed at the start. Finding one makes you eligible for the grand prize. Discovering five or more earns an additional special reward. To claim victory, players must post a screenshot of the sheet and its drop. Stay tuned for the list of winning songs. Happy hunting!
In Haven Ridge, an exciting month-long fishing event until November 30th. Participants have a chance to win big in multiple categories:
Grand Prize for Largest Lava and Saltwater Fish (Combined Length): 2000 COTO's, 200k Gold, Shroud of the Avatar Video Game Box Set (SEALED), Gold Fishing Trophy.
Largest Lava Fish: 1,000 COTO's, 100,000 Gold, Silver Fishing Trophy.
Largest Saltwater Fish: 500 COTO's, 50,000 Gold, Bronze Fishing Trophy.
Submit catches via In-Game Mail to Lebu Lionheart or use the Turn-In Chest near the main dock. Lava Pools are near Kosh Summers Estates.
Haven Ridge is nestled at the mountain's base, just beyond Castle Atos. Haven Ridge thanks Knight Rider for their generous donation of the Box Set. Best of luck to all participants!
Download the FREE MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar today.
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.
Lighbringer Isle also 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!
Listeners and Developers can submit local news tips, updates and in-game event announcements for broadcast during News on the Hour at the Service Desk in Discord.
Metaverse News
Guild Wars 2 Content Update: “Through The Veil”
In Guild Wars 2's latest update, "Through The Veil," ArenaNet introduces new content following the successful release of the "Secrets of the Obscure" expansion. The update features three story chapters, continuing from the expansion's conclusion, set in the challenging Inner Nayos environment. Players navigate through treacherous terrain filled with Kryptis creatures, utilizing the skyscale for mobility. The meta focuses on igniting braziers to breach an enemy fortress. Convergences, instanced large group content for 35-50 players, offer a unique approach to player revival upon death. Additionally, six new themed relics and a toggle skill for skyscale and griffon enhance gameplay.
Indie Game “Revenant Hill” Canceled Due to Illness
Indie game fans are disappointed as 'Revenant Hill,' the anticipated successor to 'Night in the Woods,' faces cancellation. The Glory Society, the development team, cited serious health issues affecting key members. The small team's decision to suspend operations comes after challenges in replacing essential roles. Notably, artist and animator Scott Benson revealed his battle with severe heart failure, further solidifying the project's halt. This unfortunate development marks the end of Revenant Hill's development, leaving fans of the beloved indie title in sadness.
Neverwinter’s Spelljammer Promises A Space-faring Adventure
In the latest update for the free-to-play MMORPG Neverwinter, the Spelljammer module introduces a unique space-faring adventure. Players explore aboard the Moondancer, a spelljammer vessel, after a mysterious crystal crashes into the Neverwinter Outskirts. The plot revolves around the Xaryxian Empire, seeking to save worlds from astral seed devastation. Players join Princess Zedalli in a rebellion against her brother, Xeleth. The module features diverse landing sites with distinct environments. The gameplay involves timed invasions to progress the narrative, providing an engaging experience for players. Spelljammer brings a fresh, sci-fi twist to Dungeons & Dragons in Neverwinter.
Ubisoft Lays Off 124 More
Ubisoft, a prominent game development company, is implementing further restructuring measures, resulting in additional job losses. The company confirmed the elimination of 98 positions in their Canadian workforce and a total of 124 positions globally in their latest headcount reduction. This move is part of Ubisoft's broader efforts to streamline its business operations. The restructuring primarily impacts administrative functions and teams in Hybride, their VFX studio in Montreal. The affected positions represent 2% of the company's Canadian workforce. This follows a trend of layoffs in the game development industry in 2023, with estimates suggesting over 6,000 jobs lost in the gaming sector this year. We wish safe travels to everyone effected by these layoffs.
QA Testers Picket Bioware Canada For Their Jobs Back
In more Developer layoff news, former quality assurance testers who worked on Dragon Age: Dreadwolf are picketing outside Bioware’s Edmonton, Canada offices today. They were laid off earlier this year, along with 50 other employees. The Alberta Labour Relations Board ruled in their favor after Electronic Arts tried to block the protest. The testers are demanding reinstatement by Keywords Studios and continuation of contract negotiations. EA contends the protest is misguided, stating BioWare is not involved in negotiations. The ex-testers allege they trained their replacements before being let go. UFCW401 joined the press conference in support.
Raph Koster’s Real Talk On the State of Game Development
Raph Koster, former EverQuest 2 creative director, and now CEO of Playable Worlds, a groundbreaking MMORPG development company, shared insights on gaming's future during a recent interview with The Edge magazine. He expressed concerns about escalating development costs, which data from industry peers confirmed. This exponential budget growth may stifle innovation due to higher investment risks. Koster also noted challenges for narrative-driven games in the prevalent service-based model, where constant content updates may overshadow immersive storytelling. Despite hurdles, he remains hopeful, advocating for blending narrative elements with other genres. At Playable Worlds, Koster leads the creation of an innovative MMORPG, embodying his commitment to pushing industry boundaries. Adapting to the evolving gaming landscape will require a delicate balance of storytelling and engaging gameplay for future narrative-driven successes.