New World: Aeternum News

Greetings, Adventurers!

The energies of Aeternum can be chaotic and unpredictable, as many of the island’s adventurers well know. But what is less understood is how those wild energies can he harnessed and focused into an item, granting benefits to those who possess them. Scholars and sages call these Artifacts, as many of the origins of these items is a mystery, even though they seem to have some connection to historical events.

While their creation methods are likely lost to time, their effects on those who take the time to bind to their power are very potent, seeming to change how weapons and magic work in subtle, but significant, ways. Thus, they are often sought after by adventurers across Aeternum who want augment their attacks or surprise their unsuspecting opponents.

Artifacts are the most powerful level of gear rarity. Originally introduced in the Rise of the Angry Earth Expansion, their distinct abilities redefine New World combat. Life Staffs are designed to excel solely at healing, but with the Vengeance Artifact, even a healer can take on a more offensive role. Other Artifacts counter popular builds. Learn how the Development Team brought some of the most desirable endgame loot to life with a glimpse into Artifact goals, design, and balance.


[h2]GOALS[/h2]
The goal of Artifacts is fun through engaging, alternative playstyles. This level of gear rarity is unique, so we want to throw a wrench into the current meta and make players feel overpowered without creating a major power imbalance. That means toning down “required” Artifacts while also improving underutilized or unenjoyable options. We greatly appreciate feedback on underpowered things. It is often harder to see what’s underpowered than overpowered.


[h2]DESIGN[/h2]
Artifacts start as rough themes. We then prototype different ideas for Perks that fit those themes and either create a new strategy or counter one of the most effective tactics. After the Perk is finalized, the Artifact will undergo multiple rounds of testing. Many change during development because something doesn't feel right. Scorpion's Sting had a prototype version that pulled enemies in but if you were too close it pulled them really far behind you—over cliffs or any other nefarious place.


[h2]BALANCE[/h2]
Not every Artifact is designed purely around power. We primarily focus on viability and versatility.

• First we determine if an Artifact is heavily used because it is best in slot or because it is easy to obtain, like the Attuned Leather Pants.
  
• Next, we use that data, plus player feedback, to gauge which Artifacts are more or less favorable.
  
• Finally, we review item pairings and balance them universally. This helps us account for builds many consider overpowered without weakening less powerful combinations.
  

Moving forward we will prioritize Artifact counter buffs over nerfs, but sometimes nerfs will be necessary to keep combat fun.


[h2]TRADE-OFFS[/h2]
Players often ask why only some Artifacts have trade-offs. We add higher values or unique functionality to make Artifacts feel even more satisfying. Trade-offs are designed to prevent those powerful traits from overwhelming the current meta.

For example, the Anhk Amulet’s incoming healing buff is so strong that we had to add a trade-off and make balance changes. There are additional tweaks coming in Eternal Frost that will make Anhk and Life Staff abilities no longer increase Lifesteal. Further adjustments are always a possibility based on the impact of those changes.



More freedom for effective Artifact builds encourages players to experiment outside of their preferred playstyle, ultimately creating a more balanced, enjoyable combat experience for every Adventurer. Thanks for your continued feedback and support! Let us know your favorite Artifact combinations. We’ll see you in Aeternum.

Greetings, Adventurers!

Exclusive New World consumable items are now available through Prime Gaming until November 28, 2023. If you are an Amazon Prime member, make sure to pick up the Gothic Pageantry Cache! It contains Vial of Suspended Azoth x10, Dark Matter x50, Gypsum Orb x5, Gothic Velvet Armchair x1, and Gothic Velvet Footstool x1.


“You've read that both purple and velvet are signs of royalty, making this chair twice as majestic.”
With Prime Gaming, Amazon Prime members enjoy tons of free, exclusive content for their favorite PC, console, and mobile games. Plus, they can claim a collection of PC games for free every month that are theirs to keep forever, and a monthly Twitch channel subscription. Prime Gaming’s selection of in-game content and free PC games is always growing and rotating to stay fresh, with new items and free games added every month.

Players who are not currently Amazon Prime members that are interested in accessing the exclusive New World loot can sign-up for a free, 30-day trial on the Prime Gaming website. Prime Gaming Loot can only be claimed once per account.

Stay tuned, as we’ll have more content for Prime Gaming members in the future.

Thanks for your support! We’ll see you in Aeternum.

Greetings, Adventurers!

We could not be more thankful for the continued support we’ve received from the community over the last two years. Player feedback helped us introduce new features such as open world PvP Influence Races, plus quality of life improvements like revamped main storyline quests, major endgame changes, easier storage access, Expedition key removal, progression changes, balance changes, more build variety, and Umbral Shard/Expertise removal.

Communication with players continues to be crucial for Aeternum to grow and evolve. New perspectives inspire fresh gameplay mechanics, while longtime insights help us further improve immersion. Please keep the feedback coming as we push into year three. We appreciate your enthusiasm and look forward to delivering even greater experiences next year!

Greetings, Adventurers!

New World continues to grow, change, and adapt thanks to player feedback, seasonal content, and expansive narratives. Since the game launched in September 2021, Aeternum now features more Expeditions, weapons, threats, zones, and game modes. There are also revamped main storyline quests and vast quality of life improvements.

Players who have yet to experience Aeternum can pick up New World for up to 60% off during the Steam Autumn Sale now through November 28. The Standard, Deluxe and Azoth Editions will be 60% off. Those interested in both the base game and the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion can pick up the Elysian Edition bundle for 34% off. Rise of the Angry includes mounts, a transformed zone, the Flail, and additional endgame content.

Discover the post-launch updates and player-driven improvements that make now the best time to play.

[h2]REVAMPED MAIN STORYLINE
[/h2]Almost every zone has been overhauled based on player feedback. The few remaining original zones will be revamped in a future release. Here’s what to expect:

• Start the adventure with friends: Players spawn in one of several zones at the beginning of the game. Head to a friend’s location to play early quests together.
  
• Multiple ways for solo and group players to progress: There are different objectives for certain quests that give you the option to remain solo or join a group of players depending on your preferred experience.
  
• Diverse objectives to keep gameplay fresh: Objectives range from puzzle and traversal challenges to unique interactions with the world and dynamic events. There’s always something new to find.
  
• An epic adventure surrounding the mysteries of Aeternum: Conquer new enemies, obstacles, and locations to reveal the truth about the Eternal Isle.
  

[h2]NEW ZONE: BRIMSTONE SANDS[/h2]

Death hovers over the scorched wastes of Brimstone Sands, its thirst still unsatisfied even after centuries of strife and war. Roughly the size of 2.5 Everfalls, this zone features new enemies to fight, a new territory to control, and new stories to uncover.

[h2]NEW EXPEDITION STORYLINES[/h2]
[h3]TEMPEST’S HEART[/h3]

Pursue the Tempest into a corrupted dimension of reality, through the twisted capital city of Myrkgard, then discover the secrets of Isabella’s past as you dive deeper into her corrupted mind.

[h3]BARNACLES & BLACK POWDER[/h3]

Rumors suggest there might be an even greater power within the Admiral’s hold. Not to mention, more than meets the eye…

[h3]THE ENNEAD[/h3]

Explore ancient mysteries with Imhotep, battle powerful Sand Demons, and perhaps, if you persist, restore the rightful ruler who can finally bring order and hope to the region after centuries of chaos.

[h3]EMPYREAN FORGE[/h3]

Pursue the commanders of Sir Loth, a knight of Artorius, to stop the flow of elemental magic deep within an Ancient Forge.

[h2]NEW WAYS TO PVP[/h2]
[h3]INFLUENCE RACES[/h3]

Capture new Influence Towers and strike down enemy Factions in open world combat for territorial supremacy. Regardless of who wins, the attacking Faction with the most influence can escalate the conflict into War.

[h3]3V3 PVP ARENAS[/h3]

Find the best team weapon combination based on your playstyle to wipe out foes before each 2-minute round ends. A deadly ring of fire will appear when the timer runs low. How will you engage the enemy inside a shrinking battlefield?

[h3]PVP REWARDS TRACK[/h3]

Our PvP Rewards Track encourages players to join all forms of PvP, including open-world activities, for special prizes. Look forward to new gear, weapons, emotes, and more.

[h2]NEW WEAPONS[/h2]
Players can now use a total of 16 unique weapons. Mix and match your favorites for something fresh. You can also customize each weapon’s distinct skill trees to best suit your playstyle.

[h3]VOID GAUNTLET[/h3]

Players looking for something different should take advantage of this magical damage/support hybrid weapon to support allies and debilitate enemies. A wide arsenal of buffs and debuffs make the Void Gauntlet perfect for players that want to significantly bolster allies at the expense of their enemies in group combat.

[h3]BLUNDERBUSS[/h3]

The Blunderbuss combines high-mobility with potent short-to-mid range damage. It’s the first weapon to scale on Strength and Intelligence, making it a good companion for bruiser or mage builds.

[h3]GREAT SWORD[/h3]

This blade utilizes offensive and defensive stances to adapt to different situations. Learn the risks and rewards of each option to survive in battle.

[h2]TRIALS[/h2]
[h3]ELITE TRIAL: ARENA OF SHAH NESHEN, THE DEVOURER[/h3]

Enter the Arena of Shah Neshen, the Devourer, and defeat the massive sandwurm for elite rewards in a challenging new PvE game mode for 20 Level 60 players.

[h3]THE HATCHERY[/h3]

Fight through waves of enemies to earn unique rewards in a new activity for 10+ Level 60 players.

[h2]SEASONAL CONTENT[/h2]

Each Season introduces fresh content like a new Season Pass, Journey, new Activity Activity Card, new Challenges, and new rewards. Many also include a seasonal narrative featuring Grace O’Malley and an elite team of mercenaries called the Silver Crows.

[h2]RISE OF THE ANGRY EARTH EXPANSION[/h2]
The lush greenery of Elysian Wilds, powerful new combat options, and primordial Beast Lords await those brave enough to challenge Artemis. You will need to purchase Rise of the Angry Earth to experience the following updates:

[h3]NEW STORY[/h3]

First Light has fallen. Once a welcoming place for newcomers to Aeternum, the lands have been overtaken by the fury of the Angry Earth. No one is certain what has become of the people and villages that once populated the area, and a deadly bramble has kept all but the most intrepid from attempting to find out. This abundance of earthly powers has awakened the mighty Beast Lords, a new possible adversary facing the people of Aeternum… but with them also comes a boon - the secret to taming and riding animals.

[h3]MOUNTS[/h3]

Summon a mount for faster traversal across Aeternum. Master horses, dire wolves, and lions, each with a unique look, customizable equipment and a name you can set. Level up the new Riding Trade Skill to earn upgrades like increased speeds, buffs and higher tier consumable food for your new friend.

[h3]A ZONE TRANSFORMED: ELYSIAN WILDS[/h3]

The southeastern tip of Aeternum, formerly known as First Light, has been invaded by the powers of Artemis and the Angry Earth. Explore the raised structures of this magical new landscape and battle the ferocious beasts that have taken refuge in the verdant, unsettled terrain.

[h3]NEW WEAPON: FLAIL[/h3]

The Flail is a versatile one-handed weapon with the option for an offhand shield. Use arcane magic to enhance attacks and buff allies or debuff enemies for an easier victory. Through a combination of melee, arcane magic, and strong defenses, the wielder can bolster their group’s effectiveness without dropping the offensive.

[h3]NEW GEAR RARITY: ARTIFACTS[/h3]
Find and equip Artifacts, a powerful new tier of weapons and armor. Complete a series of quests and awaken the Artifact’s full potential by unlocking its six perks including one unique playstyle-defining perk to change your game.

[h3]NEW PROGRESSION[/h3]

Increase your character’s level to 65 and Gear Score to 700 with new attributes to help power up your builds. Increase Trade Skills to level 250 with new items to gather, refine and craft. Complete a new Faction Quest and unlock a new Faction tier loaded with desirable gear and items.

[h3]NEW EXPEDITION: THE SAVAGE DIVIDE[/h3]

The powers of Artemis flourish within these caverns of stone and ancient root. Embark on a dangerous new Level 62+ Expedition to track down the primordial Beast Lords before pandemonium emerges from the depths of Aeternum. The elemental chaos of the Savage Divide awaits.

[h3]NEW HEARTRUNE ABILITY: PRIMAL FURY[/h3]

Turn into a hulking beast, tower over enemies, and ravage foes with unarmed light and heavy attacks.

[h2]EVENTS[/h2]
[h3]FIGHT TURKULON FOR THE GRAND GOBBLER[/h3]

Satisfy your hunger for carnage with the succulent Grand Gobbler War Hammer when Turkulon returns now through November 28. Hunt down the Feathered Avenger of Death and his ‘fowl army’ to earn unique, event-specific items. Thanks to player feedback from last year, loot will now drop more frequently. There are also even more desirable rewards, like a giant turkey leg, waiting to be served.

[h2]WHAT ELSE IS NEW?[/h2]

• Gear Set Storage: Quickly save and switch between your favorite gear sets after reaching Level 25.
  
• Easier leveling: It now takes players less time to level up and improve required Trade Skills.
  
• Heartrune abilities: Players can now further customize their playstyle through Heartrune abilities. Once fully charged through combat actions, players can trigger an ability. Experiment with and upgrade each one to find a favorite.
  
• More build variety: Thanks to player feedback, we’ve removed Creature Bane Perks, Creature Ward Perks, Resilience Perks, and Expertise. As a result, you can now enjoy more build variety.
  

[h2]WHAT’S NEXT IN DECEMBER?[/h2]

• Eternal Frost: Eternal Frost will release on December 12 and include the Glacial Tarn Expedition, new Artifacts, a new seasonal narrative, a new Season Pass, seasonal events, inventory improvements, weapon balance updates, and more. Rise of the Angry Earth is required to access the Glacial Tarn Expedition, Artifacts, and seasonal narrative.
  
• Winter Convergence Festival: Icy winds and glimmering Gleamites fill the air once again as Winter Convergence returns to Aeternum. Visit Winter villages to meet the Winter Wanderer and carry out his holiday quests. Players can also rally a party of 20+ Adventurers to fight the Winter Warrior. Collect Winter Tokens to earn new limited-time rewards including festive skins, emotes, housing items and more.
  

Thanks for your support! We’re excited to continue working on the future of New World. All of these changes and the Steam Autumn Sale make now the best time to play. We’ll see you in Aeternum.

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Greetings, Adventurers!

Join Michael Lovan, Head of Community Video, for reflections on the series’ inspiration, challenges, and evolution, plus an infographic featuring zany stats. You might already be more familiar with the creator of Forged in Aeternum than you think.

“If you've ever watched one of the Community Q&As, that's my voice you hear,” said Michael. “You can also find me lurking on the New World subreddit, upvoting my favorite transmogs, or spamming LEO's global servers to watch Forged in Aeternum under my new name, ForgedInAeternum.”


[h2]INSPIRATION[/h2]
“If there's a documentary, book, or podcast about game development, I'm probably familiar with it. I'm a video game history nerd, and I think the historical documentation of development is important for future generations to learn from. It is, in my opinion, the most meaningful way of measuring a developer's intent against a game's lasting impact. So when I was brought into Amazon Games to build out the Community Video team, I was eager to share my love of developer insight with the world.”

“When I met Scot (Game Director, New World), I pitched him on doing a weekly show that would allow for me, and the community, to be a fly on the wall and observe discussions that were already happening around the office. Scot rallied the team to help with the show, and collectively they (and the community) have helped continuously shape it.”

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[h2]AN EVER-EVOLVING SERIES[/h2]
“Forged has evolved quite a bit since the beginning, both in terms of process and in terms of what we're trying to do. In the beginning, Scot, Dave (Creative Director), Katy (Senior Producer), and Rob (Narrative Director) helped brainstorm a lot of discussion topics, and I spent a good amount of time asking different devs if they would come on the show.”

“We then schedule shoots. I like to film at least a few episodes at a time. When we shoot far enough in advance, that extra time can help us compile gameplay footage to edit into the episode. Occasionally I shoot the episodes solo, but more often than not I'll get assistance from Chuck and Steven, my video team.”

”Steven or myself put together the edits and then we run the video through internal approvals. Once it's release time, I publish the episode and stare at the comments like a hawk until the knots in my stomach go away.”



“Since the advent of Seasons, we've now got a sweet cycle where we can regularly dive into different features in development. On a live game, there's always something to talk about. Additionally, the various teams I work with - New World devs, Marketing, Community - do a wonderful job proactively proposing subjects, so I'm often flooded with great ideas for the video pipeline.”

“Occasionally there is a gap in the schedule. I try to use those episodes to try different things, like putting together a group of people who don't often interact and seeing what happens when they talk.”

“After the release of the December 2022 Dev Update Roadmap video (and the many community questions it sparked), it was clear that the show needed to quickly evolve into more of an active community conversation. We've since made a commitment to release monthly Community Q&As, Balance of Power episodes, and more recently, regular updates on service improvements and the economy.”

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[h2]COMMUNITY QUESTIONS[/h2]
“Hundreds of questions come in and we aim to answer 10 to 15 of them. What could go wrong?”

“I'd love to cover every question, but the reality is that some aren't ready to be addressed. Whether the devs have an answer but can't yet elaborate meaningfully or they have a meaningful answer but need to hold to align with Marketing, it can quickly get complicated.”

“I want the community to feel heard and truly believe their time with the Community Q&As is time well spent. Though the overall sentiment remains favorable, the criticisms I've read are fair and warrant introspection. I know the Q&As can be even better, so that's what we have to do.”

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“One thing I'd like to try in the next Q&A is to be more prescriptive when asking for questions, so that we can make sure we're only eliciting questions we know we can answer. I'm working with the teams to get a clear vision of what's on the table for discussion further in advance. I'm optimistic, but I'll be on the lookout for feedback as usual. If the next Q&A doesn't land well, the neat thing is that we will always have another shot just a month away.”

[h2]MOST MEMORABLE COMMENT[/h2]
“Out of the thousands of comments, I've screen capped several hundred favorites across YouTube, Reddit, and Discord into a folder on my desktop. Many are jokes, some are constructive suggestions for improving the show, and others are suggestions for game features. But there's one comment I go back to more than others—in the March 2023 Community Q&A, we opened with an apology from Scot about the delay of the Season 1 release.”
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“One of the top comments on YouTube said, 'We understand you guys and your struggles. Maintaining your transparency and honesty is all we ask! Thanks so much.' I thought it was an important moment for the relationship between the New World team and community. I was also moved to see that support in the comments.”

[h2]GREATEST CHALLENGE[/h2]
“I am sensitive to the reality that for many on the New World team, this is the first time they've been on camera and subjected themselves to the internet. It's challenging to ask the team to put themselves out there week over week. Yet one year later, they continue to do so.”


“It's hard to really contextualize how meaningful it is to me, but for any person to go out in front of a global audience weekly takes a lot of guts. We've had 55 guests to date, many of whom have been on the show multiple times. Their grace, humility, and great attitudes inspire me.”

[h2]HARDEST EPISODE[/h2]
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“The April 2023 Community Q&A gradually went off the rails into chaos, with blinding daylight that made Katy as bright as the sun. By the end, Scot's holding up a flag to block light on Katy, Chuck's holding up a ridiculously large canopy umbrella to block light on Scot, and I'm doing my best to get through the questions without laughing. It was ridiculous. We second-guessed ourselves and questioned whether we should re-shoot it. I'm glad we opted not to.”

[h2]FAVORITE EPISODE[/h2]
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“What the community doesn't have the pleasure of seeing is the before and after of every episode, where we oscillate between planning and making jokes. When I look at past episodes, I remember those moments more than the actual filming. I'll never not laugh when I think of Katy scolding Scot and Charles (Art Director) for their lack of remorse killing Stanley in Restless Shore. Scot and Charles seem sweet, but they showed their true cards there.”

[h2]BEHIND-THE-SCENES STORY[/h2]
“I spend way more time with the New World team than they do with me. The nature of making videos is that I get very familiar with the way people talk, their ticks, recognize when people are anxious or have doubt about the words they just used. In a parasocial sense, I feel like I really get to know the people I film and edit, when in reality the hours I've spent with them is significantly more than the time they've spent with me.”



“We were a few months into the series when I ran into Scott (Lead Engineer), Rachel (Game Designer), Dan (Social Features Lead) and Patrick (Lead Seasons Designer) having lunch. I approached them like a group of friends and asked, ‘what's up, nerds?' It wasn't planned. It was just a reflex for when I'm comfortable with friends.”

“While they laughed, I quickly apologized and let them know I was mortified. They took it in good stride. I'm happy they've all appeared on the show numerous times since. I still think of them as my friends even though they probably don't even know my name.” :(

[h2]BEHIND THE CONTROLLER[/h2]

• Favorite Character: In my first playthrough, as soon as I saw him fishing, Yonas was my favorite character. Second playthrough had the revamped MSQ, and I was drawn to Grace O’Malley the whole way through. On this third playthrough (ForgedInAeternum, LEO) I’m in love with my mount.
  
• Favorite Cutscene: Prison Argument!
  
• Favorite Event: Easily Winter Convergence Festival. Nothing beats the experience of gathering Tokens with my daughter so that we could buy our very own ‘Wittl’ Winter Whiskers for the house we built.
  
• Favorite Quest: The entire Season 1 Fellowship & Fire questline. I loved the storytelling of the Silver Crows and enjoyed the sense of belonging to a team.
  
• Favorite Weapon: War Hammer. I know it’s utility but it’s so fun! Right now, I’m leveling the Ice Gauntlet and Fire Staff. The Ice Gauntlet takes some getting used to but I’m enjoying the combination.
  
• Favorite Ability: Path of Destiny
  
• Favorite Faction: Marauders
  
• Favorite Expedition: Empyrean Forge
  
• Favorite Enemy Family: Angry Earth
  
• Favorite Enemy: Siren Queen
  
• Favorite Lore: Artemis and the Angry Earth taking over First Light.
  
• Favorite Territory: Weaver’s Fen
  

[h2]THE FUTURE OF FORGED IN AETERNUM[/h2]


“A new Forged in Aeternum will continue to release every single week (including holidays), and twice a week when it's time for the monthly Q&A and Balance of Power. I am also in the process of developing another New World video series on patch note breakdowns.”

“Please keep the feedback coming and look forward to further refinements as we enter year two. I will continue to read every comment about the show across Reddit, Discord, and YouTube. Thanks for your support! We’ll see you in Aeternum.“