Greetings, Adventurers!
Aeternum is an ever-evolving world, and as such, we continue our efforts in providing our players with an assortment of ongoing new features, content, and changes. Similar to the activities leading up to our latest major update, we are approaching the release of our next large release and would like to once again invite you all to participate in the next cycle of our Public Test Realm (PTR)!
PTR
The Public Test Realm (PTR) is a limited-availability server-set that will give players an early look at upcoming features. These preview builds are snapshots of upcoming major releases and are not final versions — you may encounter bugs, crashes, missing text, or other issues. Between our internal testing efforts and your reports, we hope to catch and resolve all serious issues before they reach the live servers. However, not every bug or feedback piece will be actioned on before release — some changes need time to be investigated further, and may arrive in a subsequent patch or two. Nonetheless, hundreds of changes have already been made — with more to come — and the full release notes will be shared on release day.
To help with the feedback process, all newly created PTR characters will have the opportunity to instantly level to select level-ranges outfitted with appropriate gear and items.
The PTR will officially open on April 28, at 10 AM PDT (5 PM UTC). To maximize world population and encourage group play, there will only be one world available (“US East PTR 1”) for this playtest cycle, with it located within the US East region. You may have to change your regional selection from the main menu in order to discover the available test world.
If you encounter a bug, exploit, or have suggestions to improve a feature or piece of content, we’d love to hear your feedback on our PTR sub-forum (you can also utilize our in-game feedback tool). We will do our best to address as much of your feedback as possible before the content update makes its way to our live servers. Your participation will help us to deliver awesome content and updates in the future!
During this iteration of the PTR, we look forward to hearing your playtest feedback regarding the following changes.
Major Updates
For this patch, we have a bit of everything for everyone! With a host of new and exciting PvP focused activities and rewards, those who have a need to conquer will have plenty to do in Aeternum! Likewise, PvE folks won’t be left out either... these adventurers can look forward to new quests and the continued roll-out of the popular Expedition Mutators feature to additional content.
3v3 Player vs Player Arenas
Step into the Arena and test yourself against other combatants! 3v3 Arenas are a new small-scale PvP game mode where teams of 3 can face off for fame, glory, and riches (plus a few unique housing items)!
Each Arena match is a “Best of 5” contest. Fight to be the first team to win 3 rounds and secure the match for your team. Rounds are 2 minutes long, but if the battle lingers, a deadly ring of fire will push players to the center of the arena, forcing combatants to engage or die!
Players level 20 and above can queue for 3v3 Arenas by opening the Modes menu, allowing on-demand PvP gameplay from anywhere in Aeternum. If players need a brief introduction to what the Arena is, they can speak to the fight promoter Maximus Marcellus in Everfall.
Player vs Player Reward Track
The PvP Rewards Track introduces two new currencies: PvP XP and Azoth Salt.
Players can earn both of these currency types by engaging in PvP related activities, such as War, Outpost Rush, 3v3 Arenas, PvP Missions, PvP Open World kills, and fort captures. Bonus Azoth Salt will also be granted for earning XP while flagged for PvP!
Work your way up the rewards track by earning PvP XP. At each of the three notches, three rewards will be drawn from the pool where you get to select and purchase one of the offered using your Azoth Salt.
When you get to the third notch, where the best rewards can also be found, you will be ready to level up! This will either happen automatically on purchase of your third reward or a manually selected option. If choosing to purchase less than the maximum 3 rewards you will be given some compensatory salt to add to your balance for next time around.
With each track rotation, your PvP Rank will rise by 1. Hitting rank milestones will see more exclusive reward content unlocked as well as granting you achievements and titles. So... you better get PvP’ing!
Combat Tuning
In this PTR cycle we'll be trying out a handful of combat changes in a few different areas. We're updating equip load bonuses to bring heavy-armor healers in line with other builds, adding a small delay to stamina regen after a dodge, and finally making some sweeping changes to bow movement and firing options with the aim of smoothing out the gameplay experience. Check out the full notes to see all the specifics for these changes and more.
New Expedition Mutators
Return to the Depths and face a brand new challenge for end-game rewards! The Depths is now part of the weekly Expedition Mutator rotation. In addition, 3 new mutation types have been added to the pool, for a total of 27 new combinations:
Overgrown - Focuses on Nature Damage and Resistance, Overgrown adds effects like Toxic, a pool which tracks down players, and Compost which turns trash into healing areas for their allies.
Barbaric - Focuses on Physical Damage. Adds Berserk, an enrage effect, and Shattering which deals Stamina Damage.
Fiendish - Curses focus on the nocturnal. Fiendish adds Weary, which will weaken players with a rend and make them vulnerable with a slow, and Blood Offering which stacks Damage over Time.
Varangian Knights - Episode 2
Continue the story of the the Varangian Knights and their conquest for power. Players will encounter four new Varangian enemies in this episode: the Crusher, Spearman, Hound, and Mage. The Episode 2 starting quest is granted by Abigail Rose, just outside a new Varangian camp at Sorcerers Delve in Everfall. Recommended for players level 25-30.
Player-Selected Pronouns
The player’s selected pronoun will now be reflected in in chat! For instance, when using an emote, the preferred pronoun will be considered and displayed.
Of course, that’s not all! You can review all of the upcoming changes for this patch by checking out the full PTR notes, shared within the PTR sub-forum.
PTR Client Access
This special preview client will be made available for download through the stand-alone Steam application, “New World Public Test Realm” (which should already be in your Steam library if you own the main game). When the test period is complete and the main New World game is updated with the previewed content, the PTR world will shut down and may be wiped clean. You will continue to see the New World PTR application in your Steam library, but there will not be an active server until the next time we announce a public test
PTR Backstory Loadouts
Upon character creation on the PTR, players will be given multiple caches of special armor and weapons. Each cache has a designation based upon a general build based on a main attribute: CON, DEX, INT, FOC, and STR.
To help manage the sudden onset of new items, do not open all provided caches at once, or you risk becoming encumbered! Instead, equip all provided bags and then follow-up with opening each cache deliberately. Any undesired caches can be dropped or deposited into your personal settlement storage.
PTR FAQ
HOW DO I ACCESS THE NEW PTR?
Everyone with a copy of New World will be automatically granted access to the secondary PTR app. The PTR is not compatible with the live game, so you will need to download a separate client (and have the hard drive space required to support it). From there, we will have special worlds available within supported regions. Not all regions will initially be supported. Access is on a first come, first served basis. There may be queues.
CAN I PLAY WITH OR TRANSFER MY LIVE CHARACTERS TO THE PTR?
Unfortunately, no. These are separate ecosystems, so at this time it is not possible. However, to make testing easier, we will occasionally provide our play-testers with special accommodations such as instant levels, special gear, etc.
CAN I PROVIDE DESIGN FEEDBACK REGARDING WHAT’S INCLUDED ON THE PTR?
Preview game builds on the PTR are finished with their core development and are in their final phase of testing and bug fixing. Our main focus at this phase is improving quality, although we will appreciate any feedback you have to share.
I HAVE A PROBLEM; HOW CAN I CONTACT CUSTOMER SUPPORT?
Our policies and Code of Conduct cover the PTR, and in-game moderation will continue to be supported. Unfortunately, due to the temporary and potentially unstable nature of the PTR, general Customer Service assistance through both Live Chat and through the Support Website will not be available.
I DON’T WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PTR, CAN I REMOVE THE APP FROM MY LIBRARY?
Don’t worry, no offense taken. Players can manage visibility of the New World Public Test Realm Steam Library entry. Opening up the game options (right-click > Manage) offers the “Hide Game” function.
Thanks for your support and participation! We'll see you in Aeternum.