News on the Hour
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre
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NEWS ON THE HOUR November 21 2023
Local News
Friends & fellow Avatars, please honor us with your attendance at The Deca-Yule Ball! We join our community in celebrating 10 years of Shroud of the Avatar and honoring the SOTA Developers of past and present for their hard work in faithfully bringing our beloved MMORPG monthly content updates through the years. This celebration is about our community, too, for without us, there would be no Novia! The Deca-Yule Ball is on Friday, December 15th, and shall be timed to commence shortly after the official Developer Twitch Livestream. Music and your on-air emcee for this live event will be provided and broadcasted by Avatars Radio, simulcasting the TV feed at twitch.tv/avatarsradiorocks. Formal or fantasy attire is required. Visit the official Shroud of the Avatar forums for updates.
The Robot Overlords have announced a sheet 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!
Download the FREE MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar today.
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 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
LambdaGeneration Releases Free Half-Life 25th Anniversary Adventure
LambdaGeneration, a Half-Life and Valve community site, celebrates Half-Life's 25th anniversary with a new, free web-based game. The LambdaGeneration Half-Life 25th Anniversary Adventure, launched on November 19, is a 2D-pixel art sidescroller allowing players to explore the entire Half-Life history. Narrated by Harry S. Robins, the voice of Dr. Kleiner, it covers expansions, spin-offs, and sequels. The game pays homage to fan-created mods and community projects, creating a nostalgic journey for fans. Play the free game at hl25.lambdageneration.com.
OpenAI Staff Threatens Mass Exodus Amid Leadership Controversy
In a dramatic turn of events at OpenAI, almost the entire staff, comprising about 95% of the workforce, has signed a letter threatening to leave. The letter demands the reinstatement of ousted CEO Sam Altman and his associate Greg Brockman, along with the resignation of the board that dismissed them. Altman's removal on Friday led to a weekend of negotiations and, eventually, his move to Microsoft. The staff, blindsided by the decision, seeks transparency, with some on visas risking their positions to express solidarity. The implosion of OpenAI, a tech industry influencer, raises questions about its trajectory and mission.
Starfield Update: Enhanced Graphics and Gameplay
Starfield's 1.8.86 update unveils DLSS 3 support for PC players, offering Nvidia graphics card owners DLSS Super Resolution, DLAA, Nvidia Reflex Low Latency, and DLSS Frame generation. Meeting player demands the update simplifies food consumption with a new "consume" button, allowing instant enjoyment or saving for later. Additional improvements include enhanced crowd character eyes, display setting adjustments, and improved stealth. This update, fulfilling September promises, aims to elevate the overall gaming experience for Starfield enthusiasts.
Controversy Surrounds Black Myth: Wukong Developer Game Science
IGN.com's senior reporter Rebekah Valentine & Khee Hoon Chan, a freelance gaming writer, released an in-depth look titled, “How Black Myth: Wukong Developer’s History of Sexism Is Complicating its Journey to the West,” at Chinese developer Game Science and how its global fame is forcing it to confront its sexism and that of the entire Chinese tech industry. The gaming world is buzzing about the upcoming release of Black Myth: Wukong, a soulslike game developed by the Chinese indie studio. The game, set for a 2024 release, gained international acclaim with a pre-alpha trailer in 2020, amassing millions of views on YouTube and Bilibili. However, behind the scenes, Game Science faces allegations of sexism, with claims emerging from posts on Chinese social media, recruitment posters, and comments by studio members. The controversy raises questions about the industry's treatment of women, reflecting broader challenges faced by female gamers in China amid a growing feminist movement. Game Science has not responded to the allegations. Visit IGN.com to read this comprehensive report about sexism in China’s tech industry.
Lethal Company Surpasses 100K Players on Steam
Lethal Company, developed by Zeekerss, has achieved over 100,000 concurrent players on Steam within a month of its Early Access launch on October 23. This cooperative horror game features workers collecting scrap from abandoned moons to meet corporate quotas. Its success is highlighted by its peak of 115,050 players on November 20, surpassing popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2. The game's "Overwhelmingly Positive" Steam rating and frequent updates contribute to its growing popularity, promising ongoing improvements and engaging gameplay for players.
Baldur's Gate 3: Polyamory Explored with Depth and Consent
Over at GameRant.com, an Op-Ed story by Lyna De Witt, “How Baldur's Gate 3 Accurately Portrays Polyamory,” discusses love in Baldur’s Gate 3, which she writes triumphs in its portrayal of polyamory, notably through the character Halsin, a druid elf who champions it as a natural element. The game explores diverse perspectives on relationships, with characters like Astarion, Shadowheart, and Karlach evolving in their views across acts. Act 3 offers nuanced depictions of polyamory, presenting opportunities with characters such as the Drow Twins, Mizora, and the Emperor. The narrative adeptly emphasizes the importance of consent, contributing to the game's success in depicting complex relationships. Head over to Gamerant.com to discuss.