Greetings, Adventurers!
Aeternum is an ever-evolving world, and as such, we continue our efforts in providing an assortment of ongoing new features, content, and changes. Similar to the activities leading up to our latest feature, we are approaching the release of our next major update and would like to 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 grants 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. Hundreds of changes have already been made — with more to come — and the full release notes will be shared on release day. 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.
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 today, February 24, at 10 AM PST (6 PM UTC). 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!
Major Updates
Look forward to more frequent content like new features, gameplay experiences, and a Season Pass with two reward tracks.
During this iteration of the PTR, we look forward to hearing your playtest feedback on the following changes:
Season Pass Reward Track
The Season Pass gives players a variety of ways to earn new titles, gear, and more. Our Free Track is available to all players, while the Premium Reward Track offers extra rewards for an additional purchase. The Season Pass also includes the introduction of the Season Journey, a series of tasks and challenges that send Adventurers around Aeternum, plus the Activity Card where players can earn Season XP through mini-objectives. The Season Pass ties into all of our seasonal content including the Silver Crow’s storyline. Cosmetics, tokens, and Marks of Fortune will not be claimable in the PTR.
Combat Balance Updates
A few combat balance topics have been on our radar and trending in the community: Magic and Ranged Weapon PvE Viability, Weapon Balance in PvP, and Equip Load Balance. Balance is an ever-evolving part of gameplay and we will continue to make further adjustments based on feedback to create the best possible experience for players.
Magic and Ranged Weapon PvE Viability
Magic and ranged weapons have fallen behind melee weapons in PvE content, most noticeably in end game content like Mutators. We will continue to strive for viability across all weapons through the following changes:
Increased Bane power on magic and ranged weapons. (10% higher than what’s possible on melee weapons).
Adjusted Mutations will no longer disproportionately affect magic users (Removed the 50% or 75%, depending on the difficulty, elemental damage reduction).
Players that like to tank will now have more options for a wider variety of gameplay (Added more Taunt Gem capability for various abilities on numerous weapons).
Please see the full patch notes for more details and specific changes.
Weapon Balance for PvP
Some melee and ranged weapons are currently more powerful than what we consider healthy for PvP gameplay. In pursuit of our balance goals we are adjusting the power, utility, and functionality of most weapons:
We re-calibrated the accuracy system and how it affects shots for the Musket. Shots now have a slight deviation in their trajectory so that long ranged shots are not as consistent when moving or firing without the Accuracy Perk.
Adjusted Crowd Control effects on certain abilities and clarified the scope of some damage focused abilities.
Please see the full patch notes for more details and specific changes.
Equip Load Balance
We want to have a larger diversity of equip loads and make more weapons viable for all playstyles. Ideally these changes allow players with more unique styles, off-meta builds, and personal preferences to participate in meaningful ways regardless of the game mode:
Adjustments to the PvP Mitigation formula to provide a better experience to a wider range of Gear Scores.
Changes to how Rend and Fortify function.
Adjustments to some attribute thresholds bonuses.
Please see the full patch notes for more details and specific changes.
New Seasonal Story: The Silver Crows
Assemble an elite team of mercenaries called the Silver Crows to help their first client, Skye the Spear-daughter, confront a powerful Warlock and the Varangian horde, and halt their ambitions amidst the flames of the Empyrean Forge.
Make Good Notification
There is now an improved flow for players to be aware of and claim special offerings from the team. This menu is accessible through a new button on the Game Menu. Look at the main in-game Nav Bar to find it.
Alt Character Mitigation
Players with more than one character on a single server will now have to declare only one of them as their “PvP Active” character. Only the currently active PvP player may flag for PvP or fight in a War. There is a 3-day cooldown on switching active PvP characters. This will restrict players further from using alts to game the Faction War systems.
Gear Set Storage
Need to quickly swap gear for Mutated Expeditions? You’ll now be able to save and switch between your favorite gear sets after reaching level 25. Additional slots can be earned through the Season Pass or purchased with Marks of Fortune.
New Heartrune Ability: Fire Storm
Create a tornado that damages targets in its path. You can also craft more powerful versions of the Heartgem to fit your playstyle.
New Expedition: Empyrean Forge
The Empyrean Forge is a new Level 60+ Expedition set in the Great Cleave. Team up with Ser Loth, a knight of Artorius, to stop the flow of mysterious magic deep within a necropolis.
Mutated Empyrean Forge Expedition
Challenge a more difficult version of the new Empyrean Forge Expedition.
Rabbit’s Revenge
Corrupted Rabbits have returned to Aeternum. Hunt them down to obtain special event-specific rewards.
Brightwood and Weaver’s Fen New Main Story Questline
The Weaver’s Fen and Brightwood Main Storyline is getting an overhaul based on player feedback and improvements made to the revamped starting experience. Experience these two familiar territories through a fresh narrative, more quest variety, and a few new surprises.
Level 40 Weapon and Armor Quests 2.0
Enjoy new and improved level 40 weapon and armor quests. Each quest will now require less travel and eliminations. Look forward to fresh rewards, narratives, and more.
Springtide Bloom Event
The Time of Awakening has arrived! Springtide Bloom calls its children to share an ancient secret capable of granting true freedom. Help the enigmatic Bloom Herald unravel the mysteries of the ethereal Wispybloom and collect Springtide's fertile bounty of event-specific rewards. Harvest with caution, as swarms of vile Wispy Wasps guard the blooms with fury! Truth Seekers must be level 20 or higher to embark upon the quest for enlightenment. Springtide Villages are located in Monarch's Bluff, Everfall, Brightwood, and Weavers Fen.
Fury of the Spriggan
The Earth has been restless since the Ennead awoke. Cooperate in open world encounters to defeat Dryads and a mighty Spriggan for daily event-specific rewards.
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 and 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’ll 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.