Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Written by Alleine Dragonfyre | Reported by Asclepius | PC Games by Drizz Dragonfyre

Local News

Celebrate New Year's Eve with the Jade Dragons in Jade Valley. Festivities begin at 8 pm Pacific Time or 10 pm Central Time, ringing in a 4 New Year's in the United States. Join the fun with friends and family, featuring food, drinks, music, fireworks, and prizes. Avatars Radio will be emceeing and providing the music. DJ Celith Wraine will cover Eastern & Central Standard Time, and, Yours truly, DJ Asclepius will celebrate Mountain and Pacific Standard Time. Join us in-game and at twitch.tv/avatarsradiorocks for the live television broadcast. Don't miss the Shroud of the Avatar New Year's Celebration!

Rajazel and Governor Diablotine present the R121 Fishing Tournament from Dec 15, 2023, 12:00 AM CST, to Jan 24, 2023, 11:59 PM CST. Prizes include Large Gold, Silver, and Bronze trophies, varying Cotos, and PVP shards. Saltwater is the focus of this release. Participate by catching a trophy fish in designated locations and mailing it to Diablotine. The longest fish in registered POTs determine winners. No cumulative values or fish weight consideration. Botting is prohibited, and donations are welcome. Stay tuned for updates and the R122 Fetid water tournament starting Jan 26, 2023. Visit the official Shroud of the Avatar forums for details, and happy fishing!

The 3rd Annual Mysteria Gift Exchange is underway in Mysteria's Emerald Cove Market. Avatars can request gift boxes for themselves or friends by contacting Xrossfire Bugseye. Participation is open to all Avatars. Donations can be made until midnight NBT on Christmas Eve to specific players or randomly in three donation chests. Gifts will be available for pickup on Dec 26th or later at your convenience. Devs can receive Yuletide notes in a dedicated box.

Jade Valley is abuzz with the Snow Walker Migration! These frosty wanderers and their Snow Dragons are descending from Elysium Mountains for their annual break. They're hitting the shops, staring at the night sky—perhaps on the lookout for some fireworks? Scholars are digging into their mysterious origins and nod-and-smile communication style. These chilly visitors have a penchant for coal, carrots, and stylish outfits. Word on the street is there's a bit of a social hierarchy and a quirky dating scene involving snowball fights and frosty gifts. Winter in Jade Valley is anything but dull!

Lighbringer 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!

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!

Go holiday gift shopping during 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.  

In Haven Ridge, a month-long fishing event runs until December 31st, allowing players to reel in substantial rewards. Categories like Grand Prize Largest Lava and Fetid Fish Caught (Combined Length) offer winners 2000 COTO's, 200k Gold, a TF Village Deed, a 5-story Wizard tower with Deco, and a Gold Fishing Trophy! Haven Ridge thanks Kosh Summers and Vulcan Jedi for the generous Grand Prize donation. Remember, one winner per category, and no alts are allowed. Best of luck, anglers!

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

Saturalia Mod: Skyrim’s Holiday Nostalgia Unleashed

The unexpected union of Christmas and Tamriel's frosty landscapes arrives in Skyrim. Renowned modder JaySerpa introduces "The Gift of Saturalia – A Quest for the Holidays." This Elder Scrolls-inspired mod immerses players in a winter celebration, featuring fully-voiced acting, expansions to NPC lore, and around 500 lines of dialogue. Lasting 1-2 hours, the quest dynamically alters NPC lives and locations.

With persuasion options reflecting player history, it's speech-centric and suitable for all ages. For Anniversary Edition owners, it enhances the Saturalia NPC. Experience festive Skyrim with interesting rewards, embracing the Breton celebration on the 25th of Evening Star.

Hasbro Layoffs at Wizards Raise Industry Concerns

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Hasbro's recent decision to cut 1,100 jobs globally, including at Wizards of the Coast, makers of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, raises questions about the rationale behind layoffs despite Wizards' robust performance. In Q3 2023, Wizards reported a 40% revenue growth, in contrast to Hasbro's other struggling segments. Notable layoffs include figures like Mike Mearls and Amy Dallen. This trend aligns with the broader gaming industry, witnessing over 9,000 dismissals in 2023. Meanwhile, the fallout from a previous controversy and the emergence of alternatives like Paizo Publishing may impact Wizards' workforce, potentially threatening its dominance in the market.

Naughty Dog Axes Ambitious “Last of Us” Multiplayer

Naughty Dog has officially canceled The Last of Us multiplayer game. Earlier reports hinted at development issues, but a recent blog post clarified the decision. The studio cited the project's massive scope, requiring all-hands-on-deck support for years post-launch. This would divert resources from developing the beloved single-player games that define Naughty Dog's legacy. The cancellation, however, doesn't diminish the studio's pride in the project. Despite positive feedback from team members, the decision underscores Naughty Dog's commitment to narrative single-player games over live service titles. Future projects, including a remaster of The Last of Us 2, are in the works, even though many gamers are tired of re-releases of already published titles, feeling they’re being asked to pay again for games they've already played.

Steam Winter Sale 2023: Dive into Gaming Delights

The Steam Winter Sale 2023 goes live on the 21st this year, offering substantial discounts on notable titles. Larian Studios' Game of the Year, Baldur's Gate 3, joins the sale, fulfilling fans' anticipation since its August exit from early access. CD Projekt Red's acclaimed RPG, The Witcher 3, is also featured.

Valve's trailer reveals multiplayer shooters like BattleBit Remastered and single-player games like Atomic Heart. The sale spans December 21 to January 4, showcasing diverse titles from blockbuster hits to indie gems, offering a broad gaming palette for enthusiasts.

E3 Demise Signals Virtual Dawn in Gaming Industry Evolution

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) has been permanently canceled by the Entertainment Software Association, citing COVID and industry shifts. Since 1995, E3 served as a vital platform for game announcements, fostering innovation. Its demise reflects the industry's move to virtual events and live streams. Major players like Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox now host their showcases, while streaming platforms dominate game content sharing. Smaller studios face challenges, but the industry is adapting and exploring new launch avenues. E3's closure signals a broader shift toward direct, online, creator-to-consumer connections, mirroring trends in entertainment.

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