Weekly Recap #472 October 22nd – Elyon Launches, Lost Ark Closed Beta, Squid Game in BlackShot?

JamesBl0nde recaps the MMO gaming news for the week of October 22, 2021! Transcript follows.

Kakao Games announced it publishing Eternal Return, Smite adds a new temporary game mechanic to conquest, be a part of the Squid Game in BlackShot Online, and if you’re getting tired of waiting in the queue for New World get ready to hop into closed beta for Lost Ark.

What’s good everyone, JamesBl0nde here with the weekly recap for gaming news and announcements for the week of October 22nd, 2021 and starting out the news this week…

Whether you missed the news last week or got the pre-download in time, the date has finally arrived – Elyon is now live! Kakao Games has launched this new free to play MMORPG this past week, with one server per region to start – though more may be added to meet demand as needed. To celebrate, Kakao Games is hosting two full weeks of Twitch Drops on any Elyon Twitch stream. With three hours of viewing you can get a support box, six hours nets an inventory expansion, and nine hours earns a Red Wing Wingsuit. Great to nab those if you have the time to spare. These events end on November 8th so make sure to start earning your rewards. Kakao Games is also offering a Partner Program for content creators, so if that’s up your alley, make sure to check the official site for details on how to apply.

Speaking of Kakao Games, they have also announced this week that it will act as a publisher for Nimble Neuron’s MOBA + Battle Royale mashup, Eternal Return, for North America, Europe, and Oceania. Eternal Return is described as a “survival arena game” where characters can battle solo or in team play to become the survivors, and looks to have a top-down approach with anime-style graphics and setting. The publishing takeover begins on October 28th, and the game’s already available on Steam and the Microsoft Store.
The long awaited MMO, Lost Ark, is about to enter closed beta! Closed Beta will run from November 4th through November 11th, with servers in North America and Europe. This test is designed to focus on the technical aspects of the game, but also includes new Prologues, farming in Strongholds, and more areas and dungeons to explore, plus economy testing. All the info is linked in the description down below if you want to get in early and see what Lost Ark is like.

Next up Apex Legends is gearing up for its next season, Escape, which goes live on November 2nd. As the Legends head out to what they think will be a nice summer vacation, they’re met with new surprises in the dangerous Outlands. A new legend, Ash, will also enter the fray, determined to prove herself as the apex Predator. Of course this new season includes a new battle pass, and a new ranked season, so get ready for this next season.
SMITE’s next major update, Queen of the Banshees, is out now! This update introduces the new Celtic Goddess and Banshee Queen Cliodhna. This goddess can walk through and inside walls, able to lash out unseen like any good Assassin. She can even deafen enemies, and become invisible to her targeted prey for a brief time. This update also features a new Winter Deadwoods Conquest map, a place of snow and ice and terror. This map includes a new gameplay mechanic, lanterns, which can be destroyed to create a cloud of mist that can hide you from your enemies. And finally, the Halloween themed event the Reaping is now underway, featuring six skins and other cosmetics that can be unlocked. The Beast Seer Artio skin can be claimed for free, so make sure to log in and do grab that one while you can.

It seems BlackShot Online isn’t going to sleep on the latest media trend, as they’ve announced that the Squid Game has come in a limited time event! Running each Friday through November 16th, players can put on a Squid Tracksuit and join in a GM hosted Battle Royale match! Winners can net a permanent Squid Tracksuit plus some additional rewards, and just participating will earn you 10,000 gold.

Meanwhile in Fortnite, the yearly Halloween event, Fortnitemares, has escalated to the Wrath of the Cube Queen. The Cube invasion has continued steadily on toward the Convergence, and now a new enemy has appeared – the Caretakers. More treasures await including the Sideways Scythe, Witch Broom, and Pumpkin Rocket Launcher. The Horde Rush limited mode has also returned until November 2nd, with rewards that include Thinking Juice Back Bling, a Cube Queen banner, and the Cuddle Scream Leader Spray. There’s even more goodies than this to nab this season so make sure to check it out.

Dauntless is also getting into the Halloween spirit with its annual Dark Harvest event. Ongoing now until November 1st, players can discover Unseen gifts hidden throughout Ramsgate. Complete the rumors in these gifts to unlock special cosmetic items. You can also partake in new quests, earn Harvest Coins to spend on new items including the Midnight Observer transformation, and more. All this will lead up to a special new Island Event on October 28th, stay tuned for that.

Likewise Trove has joined in on the Halloween fun with its Shadow’s Eve event, which is ongoing until November 2nd. The returning event features new quests this year, a new Delve biome, new enemies, new vendors, and of course, new rewards including the Lunar Lancer and Shadow Hunter costumes, Quberus and Wolf Hunter, new allies, and the G.O.P.H.E.R. mount. Explosive pumpkins and Tasty Candy Corn crafting makes a return as do the pumpkin dungeons, which feature a new boss this year that drops a new ally.
Finally our free game in the Epic Games Store this week is Among The Sleep, Enhanced Edition! This is an improved version of Among the Sleep, a chilling first person horror story in which you play a two year old child, navigating a world beyond your comprehension in search of your mother. This is a really great horror game experience that you can play in a weekend, perfect for a Halloween chill.

But with that said, that’s about it for all the major news and announcements for this week. Be sure to stay safe, and keep your families healthy! Like always you can find more information on the news topics, linked in the description below, feel free to discuss the news or even more news in the comments below and don’t forget to like, subscribe, wash your hands a bunch, hit that little bell icon to get notifications and of course share this video! But until next time guys that’s going to be it for me… I’m JamesBl0nde… see ya out there gamers!