BioWare hasn’t gotten around to taking down Anthem’s Christmas decorations

By Aaron Mamiit Published April 25, 2023

BioWare said a few months ago that Anthem will be going through a major overhaul, and it appears that developers are hard at work on that project as they have not found time to remove the Christmas decorations in the game’s main hub.

Recommended Videos

The Christmas decorations in Anthem‘s Fort Tarsis were added as part of the Icetide event, which launched in December. However, two months later in February, the decor remains, just like a neighbor who refuses to end the holiday season.

https://twitter.com/apacherose3/status/1225796759189889024

A tweet by GamesRadar Editor-in-Chief Sam Loveridge went viral after he pointed out that the Christmas decorations were still up at Fort Tarsis, which some players took as a sign that BioWare has abandoned Anthem. If the developers could not make the removal of the decorations happen after weeks since the end of the holidays, how could they deliver updates, both big and small, for Anthem?

Fortunately for the remaining Anthem players, there is an acceptable explanation of why Fort Tarsis is stuck with the Christmas decorations. BioWare said January 22 in the game’s 1.6.2 update notes that Icetide has been extended to run through February, possibly to give players the chance to experience the event minus glitches that were patched up. With the decor connected to Icetide, that explains why the twinkling lights are still up.

While Christmas decorations in February are strange, at the very least, it should not be considered as a sign that BioWare has given up on Anthem. The planned changes for the game have not yet been specified though, with speculation ranging from a massive patch, a complete overhaul of the game, and a re-launch similar to what happened with Final Fantasy XIV.

The changes that BioWare is working on for Anthem reportedly include new mission structures, a revamped loot system, breaking the map into smaller ones, and no longer requiring players to return to Fort Tarsis between missions.

In the most recent earnings call of publisher Electronic Arts, the current status and future of Anthem were not mentioned. BioWare has gone silent, but the players rooting for the game to recover from its disastrous launch should remain faithful that there are better days ahead for the futuristic looter shooter.

Topics

Contributor

Aaron received an NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was four years old, and he has been fascinated…

Gaming

How to upgrade and repair weapons and gear in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

A soldier with a broken gun in Stalker 2.

It won't be long into Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl that you encounter your first weapon jam. Whether you're fighting mutant dogs or enemy bandits, the last thing you want to hear when lining up a shot is the clicking of your weapon despite still having plenty of ammo. The more you use your weapons, the lower their durability becomes and the more likely you are to experience a jam. You don't have the skills to repair or upgrade your weapons yourself, and Stalker 2 is more than willing to let you miss out on finding the places to do it. Never get caught with a broken or weak weapon again by learning how to repair and upgrade your weapons in Stalker 2.
How to upgrade and repair weapons

You can see how beaten down your weapon is in the inventory by highlighting it or based on the color of the broken shield icon. If that icon appears at all, you can expect jams to start popping up.

Gaming

How to fix reputation in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Two groups pointing at each other in Stalker 2.

Unless you played any of the previous games, it might come as a surprise to learn just how many immersive sim elements are in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. In a lot of ways, it is closer to a more hardcore Fallout game than a pure FPS title, with lots of loot, quests, and characters to meet and talk to. One somewhat hidden mechanic is the reputation system. Stalker 2 won't stop you from opening fire on anyone you want, but not without consequence. Upset someone from a particular group, and you'll find yourself being hunted by them until you do something about it. There are enough things in Stalker 2 trying to kill you so if you accidentally angered a group and want to get back in their good graces, here's how you can fix your reputation.
How to fix your reputation in Stalker 2

If you've intentionally or accidentally shot or hurt a friendly NPC from one of the main groups in Stalker 2, you will instantly be put on their "shoot on sight" list if it lowers your reputation enough. Thankfully, there are ways to get yourself a second or third chance, but only two.

Computing

The 10 best gaming monitors of 2024: tested and reviewed

Alienware ultrawide OLED on a desk.

Editor’s note: Gaming monitors are always hot sellers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We're expecting some really great discounts on some of the top models, including high-end OLED gaming monitors, super-fast refresh rate screens, and more budget-oriented fare. There are tons of fantastic monitor deals available now, and they're bound to get even better on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Make sure to check out our other Black Friday deals or Cyber Monday deals for even more bargains on TV, headphones, and more.

A good monitor is essential for gaming due to its significant impact on the overall experience. There are a ton of options if you are on the hunt for one of the best gaming monitors, but for us, Alienware's 34 QD-OLED still takes the cake in 2024. It's not the display for everyone, though, and after reviewing dozens of the top gaming monitors, we've settled on a list of displays that offer great gaming performance for any budget or purpose.