Category Archives: Update of the Avatar

Release 14 Instructions

January 28, 2015

[A SotA Public Forum post by Starr Long]

Greetings Avatars,

Thank you to our loyal backers of Shroud of the Avatar. Release 14 access for all backers at First Responder level and above, as well as those who signed up at CES and PAX South, begins this Thursday, January 29 at 10:30 AM Central Time (16:30 UTC).

Please read this entire message, as well as the linked instructions and known issues.

This far from launch, we are in a constant state of change and we do not yet have in-game systems to inform players of these changes, or to share ways to help them to explore new content and systems. This means we rely entirely on this message, and the linked instructions and known issues to convey the current game state. We regularly have to answer questions or filter bug reports because players elect not to read this valuable information. By taking a few moments to read through this information, a great deal of our time and efforts can be redirected to focus on new “unanswered” questions, and addressing critical issues impacting each release. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to review this post, and for all the truly valuable feedback you continue to provide.

Release 14 is our first release of 2015 and represents several major new features (Banking, Pledge Rewards, Encumbrance, Enchantments) as well as overhauls to existing features (Crafting). It is also a milestone because now more than half of the Adventuring schools (magic and combat) are complete! Of course, with new content comes new bugs and balance issues, so help us out by posting bugs and feedback in our official forums.

Also, remember that while we are providing new content with each release, our community is also working overtime to make new events for you to enjoy, so be sure to check out the Community Events Calendar (via in game book or the player run website Avatars Circle).

Without further ado, here are the R14 deliverables.
Read more…

Update of the Avatar #109 – 2015.01.23: SotA at PAX South, Banks, In-Game Backer Rewards, Novia Overworld, Game Informer, and More!

January 23, 2015

Greetings Fellow Avatars!

Here’s what we have for you in this week’s edition of Update of the Avatar:

SotA at PAX South
Banks in Release 14
Changes to Store Credit Conversions
First Glimpse of Novia Overworld
SotA in Game Informer Magazine
MMORPG.COM – Release 14: Strong Start to a New Year
Shack News: CES Interview with Starr Long
GDC Next – Crowd Sharing: Crowd Sourcing + Crowd Funding
In-game Community Weekend Events
New Britannia Theater Troupe: Live Double Feature
Last Chance Exclusives: The Axe and Wood & Plaster Homes
Steam Access Keys Available for All Backers
How to Cancel Monthly Payment Plans
Upcoming Events

SotA at PAX South

Richard Garriott, Starr Long, and Finn Staber are at PAX South, demonstrating the game and talking to the press. You can find them in the Texas Indie Game Lounge presented by Microsoft (booth 1343) at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Update of the Avatar #108 – 2015.01.16: Mad Hermit’s Lay of the Land, PAX South, R13 Postmortem, Duke’s Basement, Flesh Flayer, Steam Catchers, and More!

January 16, 2015

Greetings Fellow Avatars!

Here’s what we have for you in this week’s edition of Update of the Avatar:

The Mad Hermit’s Lay of the Land Video
SotA at PAX South Next Week
Hangout of the Avatar ~ Release 13 Postmortem
Duke Pledge Reward: Upgraded Basement
Benefactor Knight & Knight Marshal Stonework Refinements
Flesh Flayer
Geothermal Steam Catchers
Boreas, The Titan of Truth
The Avatars Chronicles I – Return of the Avatar: Special Developer Edition
In-game Community Weekend Events
Last Chance Exclusives: The Pickaxe and Wood & Plaster Homes
Steam Access Keys Available for All Backers
How to Cancel Monthly Payment Plans
Upcoming Events

The Mad Hermit’s Lay of the Land Video

Need a high-level overview of where the various cities, towns and villages are in Shroud of the Avatar? Jump in the Mad Hermit’s hot air balloon as he surveys the land from high-up above! Although most of SotA’s Pre-Alpha content is confined to the “Hidden Vale” at this point, boats and Lunar Rifts allow access to some of the cities and points of interest that exist on the Island of Novia (where the core part of the story will eventually take place).

Update of the Avatar #107 – 2015.01.09: SotA #1 in TTH Readers Choice Awards, SotA at CES, 2014 Year in Review, R14 Grand Tour Reward, Air Elemental, and More!

January 9, 2015

Greetings Fellow Avatars!

Here’s what we have for you in this week’s edition of Update of the Avatar:

SotA #1 Most Anticipated Game of 2015 in Ten Ton Hammer Readers Choice Awards!
SotA at CES
Shroud of the Avatar- A Year of Portalarium: 2014 in Review
Release 14 Grand Tour Quest Reward: The Hennin
Air Elemental
Dragon Pass Progress
The Avatars Chronicles I – Return of the Avatar: Special Developer Edition
In-game Community Weekend Events
Last Chance Exclusives: The Sickle and Village Ring of Stones
Steam Access Keys Available for All Backers
How to Cancel Monthly Payment Plans
This Week In the News
Upcoming Events

SotA #1 Most Anticipated Game of 2015 in Ten Ton Hammer Readers Choice Awards!

Wow! Our amazing community demonstrated to the world just how passionate and supportive they are by casting their vote for Shroud of the Avatar and making it the #1 Most Anticipated Game of 2015 in Ten Ton Hammer Readers Choice Awards! And this followed closely on the heels of all of you driving SotA to the #1 spot in the Massively Readers Choice Most Anticipated MMO of 2015 and Beyond!

Thank all of you so, so much for your passion and your support!

Update of the Avatar #106 – 2015.01.01: SotA #1 Anticipated MMO, Brightbone Pass, Shardfall Biome, Holiday Specials Ending, and More!

January 1, 2015

Happy New Year!

Greetings Fellow Avatars!

Here’s what we have for you in this week’s edition of Update of the Avatar:

Shroud of the Avatar #1 Most Anticipated MMO of 2015 and Beyond!
SotA at CES Next Week
Brightbone Pass
Shardfall Biome
Wyrmsands
Dragon Pass
In-game Community Weekend Events
Last Chance Exclusives: Skinning Knife, Wood & Plaster Row House and Town Home
Holiday Specials
Steam Access Keys Available for All Backers
How to Cancel Monthly Payment Plans
Upcoming Events

Shroud of the Avatar #1 Most Anticipated MMO of 2015 and Beyond!

There’s no better way to bring in the New Year than to be voted the #1 Most Anticipated MMO of 2015 and Beyond!

Update of the Avatar #105 – 2014.12.26: Space Bards Cover of “Stones,” Scepter of Dread Artifact, Q1-2015 Schedule Update, $5 for $5 Holiday Bonus, and More!

December 26, 2014

Happy Holidays!

From the Shroud of the Avatar Team

Update of the Avatar #104 – 2014.12.19: Play R13 Now to get Yule Hat, Vote for SotA, $5 for $5 Bonus, Earth Elemental, and More!

December 19, 2014

Greetings Fellow Avatars!

Here’s what we have for you in this week’s edition of Update of the Avatar:

Play Release 13 Now and Get Your Grand Tour Yule Hat
Vote for Shroud of the Avatar as the Most Anticipated MMO of 2015!
$5 for $5 Holiday Bonus
SotA Community is Rockin’ It!
In-game Community Weekend Events
Steam Access Keys Available for All Backers
Holiday Specials
Last Chance Exclusives: Smelting Tongs and Blue Tile Roof Row Houses
How to Cancel Monthly Payment Plans
Recruitment Bonus Allocation Expiration
This Week In the News
Upcoming Events

Several new creatures made it into the game for the first time in Release 13, including this intimidating Earth Elemental

Release 13 Instructions

December 17, 2014

[A SotA Public Forum post by Starr Long]

Greetings Avatars,

Thank you to our loyal backers of Shroud of the Avatar. Release 13 access for all backers at First Responder level and above, as well as winners of the Alienware Arena R13 contest and winners from our Cyber Monday telethon, begins this Thursday, December 18 at 10:30 AM Central Time (16:30 UTC).

Please read this entire message, as well as the linked instructions and known issues.

This far from launch, we are in a constant state of change and we do not yet have in-game systems to inform players of these changes, or to share ways to help them to explore new content and systems. This means we rely entirely on this post/email, and the linked instructions and known issues to convey the current game state. We regularly have to answer questions or filter bug reports because players elect not to read this valuable information. By taking a few moments to read through this information, a great deal of our time and efforts can be redirected to focus on new “unanswered” questions, and addressing critical issues impacting each release. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to review this post, and for all the truly valuable feedback you continue to provide.

When we first released our Q4 2014 schedule over 3 months ago we were quite optimistic about how much we could accomplish in that period of time, while at the same time transitioning to 24/7 uptime with persistence. While we were able to complete as much work as we had planned (and in many cases more) that work ended up being very different than what we first planned. This is what comes out of a very iterative and responsive approach to development. Our velocity is almost exactly what we had hoped but the direction of our efforts varies.

We believe that this approach will result in a much better game than if we simply marched along with a rigid plan that had no room for adaptation. We hope you share that belief and continue to support us on this unique journey.

Release 13 is our first release since launching on Steam Early Access last month and we believe that the changes and additions we have made are making the game both more beautiful and more playable. From the incredible stark beauty of the desert scenes to the rush of flames engulfing your axe, you will find much to enjoy. Of course with new content comes new bugs and balance issues, so help us out by posting bugs and feedback in our official forums.

Also remember while we are providing new content with each release, our community is also working overtime to make new events for you to enjoy so be sure to check out the Community Events Calendar (via in game book or the website).

Please note that December 20 – 28 and January 1 are official company holidays for Portalarium which means there will be no developer presence nor customer support on those dates.