Albion Online News

Rock Paper Shotgun has released their list of the 30 best Steam Deck games out there, and Albion Online is included! Hardware Editor James Archer praised the game's playability and streamlined controls on the console:

"Playable MMOs are in short supply on the Steam Deck, whether it be down to anti-cheat software refusing to shake Proton’s hand or complex controls that just can’t go without a keyboard. Nevertheless, I was impressed by how the free-to-play Albion Online adapts to the Steam Deck’s inputs and screen. One or two button presses can handle a full loadout of items and spells, and if using a trackpad to direct the mouse cursor doesn’t feel quite right, you can just prod the touchscreen instead."

You can read the full article here, and check out this dedicated subforum to stay up-to-date on ongoing optimizations for overall controller support.

It's been a while since our last Dev Talk, and many of you have been eagerly awaiting updates. In our newest video, Game Director Robin Henkys introduces some of the major new features coming to Albion with the next content update, including changes to the Roads of Avalon, a massive new feature called the Mists, and a new line of artifacts for trade and crafting.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Prefer a written summary? Then read on…
[h3]Roads of Avalon Changes[/h3]
Following player feedback, the Roads of Avalon are set to receive a rework in our next major update:

• Roads will be focused on small group gameplay
• It will be easier to establish a Hideout in the Roads, but more difficult to control an entire Hideout region
• It will be more difficult to control high-value zones, making Roads exploration more competitive and exciting
• Rewards will focus more on group gameplay and enemies that upgrade over time
• The Roads will also receive a visual update

[h3]The Mists[/h3]
The Mists will be a brand-new environment with its own gameplay possibilities:

• Accessed via a network of unpredictable and temporary connections, like the Roads
• Each entrance will only allow a single player to enter before it disappears
• A single Mists region will have multiple entrances, allowing for chance encounters between solo players
• Gameplay will be a mixture of solo PvE and solo PvP, with an emphasis on exploration and risk-taking
• Visually and thematically will be the most magical area of Albion so far, with all-new music

[h3]New Artifacts and Items[/h3]

• Within the Mists players can encounter a new range of fantastical creatures
• These drop new artifacts that can be used to craft brand-new items
• The items needed to craft these new items are unique to these creatures in the Mists, adding new dimensions to trading, crafting, and PvE

[h3]The City in the Mists[/h3]
A new City exists within the Mists, acting as a hub for trading and other activities:

• This City has no fixed, physical location, but can be said to ‘drift’ in the Mists
• Entrances can sometimes be found in the Mists and the Roads, but not all will be able to enter
• This City will offer instant access to the Roads, Mists, and other forms of small-scale content that can be encountered elsewhere
• It will serve as an ideal base for advanced solo and small group adventurers

We hope you enjoyed this glimpse at some of the forthcoming features we’re working on, and we can’t wait for you to try them out and discover exciting new ways to play. We’ll be going into further detail about these in future Dev Talks - and until then, see you in Albion!

As Albion heads into the darker part of the year, one force stands against the shadows, bringing an aura of brightness to all who cast eyes upon it. In a land of danger, beset by demons and fire, there are those who cast light into the darkest corners and offer hope to their allies. Will you heed the call and become a force of good, standing against evil?

Spread the light with a new vanity set for all your characters, coming next week!

The wait is almost over: the Crystal League Championship is this weekend! Starting Saturday at 17:00 UTC, tune in to AlbionTV to watch all the action live. Winners will receive huge Gold rewards and rare mounts, with the first-place team walking away with the ultra-rare Sabertooth Rex Swiftclaw Skin.



Join hosts Shozen, Lewpac, and Tazzik as they bring you live coverage and commentary on these high-action fights. Here's the weekend's schedule:

• Saturday, September 10: 17:00 - 20:45 UTC
• Sunday, September 11: 17:00 - 21:45 UTC

This CLC is the first that will be open to players from both the Lethal and Non-Lethal Leagues, and matches will be hard-capped and full-loot. Check out detailed brackets below (click to expand):



(Note: the above end times are approximate, depending on how long matches run.)

For team breakdowns, full rules, and the final schedule, keep an eye on this forum post.

The chill of fall is beginning to creep into the air... and the Heretic Challenge is back! For the entire month of September, earn points for open-world activities, unlock chests to get valuable loot, and claim your very own Heretic Combat Mule.
[h3]Mighty Mules and Heretic Decor[/h3]
HERETIC COMBAT MULE: This month's Challenge brings back the Heretic Combat Mule, a war machine from the twisted minds of Heretic saddlers. The Combat Mule fires a powerful cannon shot that knocks back and slows targets, but watch out for its massive recoil!

AVATAR RING: Adventurers who rack up enough total Challenge Points will also earn the Heretic Challenge avatar ring. This non-tradable item permanently unlocks this crazed, ramshackle avatar border for one character, or can be traded to the Vanity Merchant for one Adventurer's Token.

SEASONAL SPECIALS: All month long, reach weekly goals to unlock Heretic Challenge Chests. In addition to valuable rewards like Adventurer's Tomes, Silver, and resources, you'll also have a chance to unlock special furniture items like the Heretic Lantern, Heretic Junkpile and Heretic Scarecrow.
 
As always, you can earn Challenge Points by gathering, fishing, farming, and killing monsters. Points count simultaneously toward a daily bonus, a weekly unlockable chest, and the monthly mount and avatar ring rewards. So log in, head out into the open world, gather points, and claim these rewards while they last!

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