Author Archives: Berek

Berek

About Berek

Senior Community Manager for Shroud of the Avatar.

Community Livestream – Meet the Companions

In this week’s Community Livestream, we’re going to be presenting the new companions of Truth and Courage! Afterward, we will also be observing the new observatory…

In Release 30 we introduced the first companion, Fiona Fitzowen, who was the archetype of the principle of Love. Our intent has always been to follow her up with at least two other companions to represent the other principles of Truth and Courage.

We are excited that in Release 52 not only will we finally be adding the companions of Truth and Courage but we will also be giving these characters unique art! The companions support avatars in the Offline mode by accompanying them along their adventures. They comment on where the player goes during the main quest and will even talk to each other on occasion.

As always, we will be giving away some in-game prizes during the livestream, so be sure to join watch on Twitch this Friday at 4pm CT! Also join the community’s Discord chat to ask questions about what’s presented:

 


Community Spotlight – The Library of Spiritual Knowledge

By Therdan Redwauld: “The Library of Spiritual Knowledge in Diamond Fields was created to provide a place to showcase player created content. The tremendous work which individuals undertake in building actively useful resources, great fiction, and quality music, continues to amaze me. I really wanted to build something which did those efforts justice and provide a great source of game knowledge and entertainment to everyone who plays Shroud of the Avatar.

The library provides players a significant volume of material covering everything from guides to fiction to musical scores. I also wanted to provide a number of ways people can get involved in evolving and building out the library content, and also naturally profit from their efforts and contribution.

Read more…


Community Livestream – Playing Release 51

In this week’s Community Livestream, we’re going to be checking out Release 51! Join us as we start with South Midmaer Way, which we haven’t shown yet on the livestream (last week’s topic changed). If we have time, then we’ll move on to revisit South Fetid Swamps and The Lost Vale, or see what players are up to in other scenes!

South Midmaer Way used to be the location of a thriving city with lovely canals on the shore of a large lake in an otherwise arid region. The city grew rich on trade as it sat astride the main road. The rulers of the city built tombs to themselves among the cliffs and hid their treasures in them, defended by traps of course! However, the lake dried up and the town was abandoned. Now opportunistic Satyrs have set up a bazaar in the ruins and Plunderers raid the tombs.

As always, we will be giving away some in-game prizes during the livestream, so be sure to join watch on Twitch this Friday at 4pm CT! Also join the community’s Discord chat to ask questions about what’s presented:

 


Release 51 Postmortem Telethon – Mar. 2, 2018

** $110,000 **

Telethon Funds Raised

Watch live video from shroudoftheavatar on www.twitch.tv

Telethon Stretch Goal Rewards:

    • ACHIEVED! $10K: /mosh (The ultimate chaotic dance!)
    • ACHIEVED! $25K: Darkstarr Morningstar
    • ACHIEVED! $35K: Darkstarr Pavers: pavers with Darkstarr symbol
    • ACHIEVED! $50K: Darkstarr Throne
    • ACHIEVED! $65K: Darkstarr Clocktower (Darkstarr loves watches!)
    • ACHIEVED! $80K: Darkstarr Black Chain Armor: Special chain version of the custom armor in the Darkstarr Concept painting
    • ACHIEVED! $90K: Darkstarr Coronated Chain Helm and Darkstarr Crossbow
    • ACHIEVED! $100K: Darkstarr Symbol shaped Shield, Darkstarr 1h Spear, and Darkstarr Dagger
    • ACHIEVED! $110K: 2h Darkstarr Black Flame Sword and Darkstarr Staff
    • $125K: Darkstarr Statue

The R51 Postmortem Telethon is today! Starr’s birthday is also coming up (March 12), so we’re celebrating with some Darkstarr themed stretch goals! We are also expiring a bunch of items with major changes to the store immediately after the telethon including changes to crown pricing, bundle pricing, and available inventory. See the forum announcement on the details.

LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE (Central Time Zone)

Telethons are livestreamed on Twitch and include answers to your gameplay questions, world building tours, prize giveaways, sales on items, and more! Here is the schedule:

  • 3PM: Introductions and Postmortem Q&A
  • 3:45PM: Deep Dive 1: Combat
  • 4:30PM: World Building Tour: New Scenes & Side Quests
  • 5:30PM: Deep Dive 2: Physical Goods
  • 6:15PM: Postmortem Q&A Continues
  • 7PM: Ending Announcements

Read more…


Community Livestream – Exploring S. Midmaer Way

We’ve been covering numerous scene updates, creatures, and new items in the last few livestreams as Release 51 approaches. One of the remaining scenes for the release that we haven’t shown yet is South Midmaer Way. This week’s livestream is going to fully explore the scene!

South Midmaer Way used to be the location of a thriving city with lovely canals on the shore of a large lake in an otherwise arid region. The city grew rich on trade as it sat astride the main road. The rulers of the city built tombs to themselves among the cliffs and hid their treasures in them, defended by traps of course! However, the lake dried up and the town was abandoned. Now opportunistic Satyrs have set up a bazaar in the ruins and Plunderers raid the tombs.

As always, we will be giving away some in-game prizes during the livestream, so be sure to join watch on Twitch this Friday at 4pm CT! Also join the community’s Discord chat to ask questions about what’s presented:

 


Community Livestream – Exploring South Fetid Swamp and The Lost Vale

A quick update to our livestream plans! We were hoping to reveal more about several Heraldry items that will be making their way in Release 51. This will be put on hold while we finish up a few important effects we wish to show you about the items.

This week’s Community Livestream will instead be showing some really cool new upcoming scenes – South Fetid Swamp and The Lost Vale!

As always, we will be giving away some in-game prizes during the livestream, so be sure to join watch on Twitch this Friday at 4pm CT! Also join the community’s Discord chat to ask questions about what’s presented:

 


Release 50 Postmortem Telethon – Feb. 2, 2018

** $50,000 **

Telethon Funds Raised

Watch R50 Postmortem Telethon – Feb. 2, 2018 from shroudoftheavatar on www.twitch.tv

Telethon Stretch Goal Rewards:

  • ACHIEVED! $10K: /samba
  • ACHIEVED! $25K: Mardi Gras Garlands
  • ACHIEVED! $35K: Flambeaux (equippable 2 handed open flame gas lamp)
  • ACHIEVED! $50K: Mardi Gras Mask Fountain
  • $65K: Feather Outfit including Feather Back and Head Piece (like Rio Carnival)
  • $80K: Mardi Gras Jester Outfit

Greetings Avatars,

The new year has fully set in and we’ve just completed details for the next big celebration – R50’s Postmortem Telethon – Mardi Gras style! We’re announcing this release’s telethon with new Stretch Goal Items ready to be achieved, Expiring items that become rares if you get them now, Prizes to give away, and informative Developer Deep Dives.

All of this is coming up fast on February 2 from 3-7pm CT!

Read more…


A New Magnificent Trophy Rooms Contest

Get your homes ready for the most intense contest yet this year! Over the next few weeks you will have the fun opportunity to show off your hunting heroism, crafting coordination, and trophy triumphs in this new three part contest kicking off today.

Adding on to last year’s trophy room contest, we now have the wild boars and updated wolves to make into new trophies! Here’s how the contest will work…

PART 1: Hunt down a creature, defeat another player (to get their skull), or catch a fish!

PART 2: Craft the trophy from that creature (human skulls come as-is, no preparation needed…)

PART 3: Display your trophy triumphs in a single room of a house you have access to!​

Submissions Must Include:

  • 2-3 screens of combating a creature that can provide a trophy (1x with UI, 1x without)
  • 2-3 screens of you in the crafting process for creating the trophies (2x with UI)
  • 3 screens of your trophy room (1x with UI, 2x without UI, different angles, lighting, etc.)
  • Brief one paragraph description for each screenshot category. Please include as much basic detail about the location and other statistics that might be useful for others wanting to hunt the area to craft their own trophies.

Submit all screenshots in a single post response to This Forum Thread. Deadline to submit is Monday, Feb. 26 at 11:59pm CT.

Read more…


Community Livestream – The Making of Shroud of the Avatar Physical Goods

We’re taking a first look at the design process for the game’s physical goods! Scott “Scottie” Jones will be back on the livestream to show off his work on the box cover, manual, cloth map, as well as a mention of the intricate design work on the Release 50 icons for potions and crafting icons.

Matt Schmitz will also be back on the livestream, this time to talk about his work on the DJ table & emotes. These are new items in Release 50, both being added to the game just in time for the release’s dance party (2-4pm CT right before this livestream) and Avatars Radio’s 4th Anniversary!

As always, we will be giving away some in-game prizes during the livestream!

The fun begins on Twitch this Friday at 4pm CT. Also join the community watching on Discord chat to ask questions about what’s presented:

 


Shroud of the Avatar Launch Event! March 14, 2018

Greetings Avatars,

In video games it is traditional to have a launch event. These events generally come in two flavors. They are either a party in which the development team has an opportunity to celebrate their achievement, or it is a press event meant to create enthusiasm with journalists and influencers. On rare occasions it is a mix of the two. On even rarer occasions these events are made open to the fans. Twenty years ago we did that very thing with the launch of Ultima Online and had a party with the fans at a nightclub called Paradox here in Austin, TX.

We are happy to say that we are going to do the very same thing with Shroud of the Avatar! The launch event includes our team, press, AND the game’s loyal backers, who are cordially invited as guests to the event. We feel very strongly that community is what this game is all about, so we want you to join us! The event is being made possible by our partner, Travian Games, who is co-sponsoring and will be in attendance.

The event is going to be one spectacular and historic celebration (literally). It will take place at the Bullock Texas History Museum in the Pong to Pokemon video game history exhibit that Richard Garriott and Starr Long helped design and contributed artifacts to show. Shooter Jennings will also be in attendance and playing a short concert.

 
Space is limited! In order to attend you must be a backer (game access or higher) and in good standing with the community. We are only able to accommodate one person per registration. We can only accept the first 100 confirmed backers due to event space. We will inform the community when registration is closed.

Event Details

Where: The Bullock Texas State History Museum

When: March 14, 2018 6:30 – 10:30 PM

What:

  • BBQ Buffet Dinner
  • Cash Bar (Admission comes with 2 drink tickets, attendees must be age 21 or older)
  • Shooter Jennings Concert
  • Mix & Mingle with the Developers

Attending:

  • Backer (Game Access Purchase or Higher Required)
  • First Come, First Served (100 person limit)
  • Good Standing (Approval Required)
  • Travel & Accommodations NOT provided
  • Dress: Dressy Casual to Black Tie (Shroud or era related costumes are great too! No Shorts, T-shirts, Athletic Wear)
  • Consent to Photography: By attending the event you consent to photos and videos of you being taken and shared for promotional purposes.
  • Aged 21 or older

 

Fill out this form to submit your request to attend
 

We look forward to seeing you at the event! If you are unable to attend, fret not! There are going to be several in-game celebrations planned as well (details on those as soon as they are finalized).

Sincerely,

Lord British & Darkstarr