11-26-2018, 08:25 AM
Big Announcements from Hi-Rez Expo and a Free Smite Bundle to Celebrate
<div><div class="media_block"><img src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/SMITE_XBoxWire_Template-hero.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></div>
<p>The biggest weekend of the year is here for Hi-Rez Studios! We just kicked off our annual Hi-Rez Expo, live from DreamHack Atlanta, featuring the world championships for both our mythological MOBA <strong><em>Smite</em></strong> and our fantasy hero shooter <strong><em>Paladins</em></strong>.</p>
<p>I’m thrilled to tell you about our biggest announcements, but first: <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/the-smite-arena-bundle/bndwjm9x49ck?activetab=pivot:overviewtab">You can get the new <em>Smite</em> Arena Bundle free on the Microsoft Store for a limited time</a>! With this bundle’s seven gods you’ll be able to turn your foes to stone as Medusa, summon the might of a volcanic eruption as Pele, or resurrect fallen teammates as Khepri, the Dawn Bringer. The bundle also includes eight great skins, all free!</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105786" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/01-128.jpg" alt="Smite Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105786" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/01-128.jpg" alt="Smite Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></noscript></p>
<p>You may be asking, “Why call it the Arena Bundle?” That’s because of <em>Smite</em>’s biggest announcement: An all-new map for the insanely popular 5v5 Arena mode! This fast-paced brawl is a non-stop clash of the gods, with no complications.</p>
<p>And the new Arena map is available in-game <strong>right now</strong>! The map’s completely redone visuals both look better and improve gameplay clarity. Even better, the new Arena map tells a story of the ongoing battle between Hera, the Greek Queen of the Gods, and Bellona, the Roman Goddess of War… with the occasional rampaging Minotaur to make things interesting.</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105787" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/02-107.jpg" alt="Smite Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105787" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/02-107.jpg" alt="Smite Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></noscript></p>
<p>A new Arena map wasn’t enough for <em>Smite</em>. Prepare to enter a land called Avalon with <em>Smite</em>’s 99th and 100th gods: King Arthur and Merlin. These two legendary heroes from Arthurian mythology will bring an entirely new dimension to the battleground of the gods when they release early next year.</p>
<p><strong><em>Paladins</em></strong> kicked off HRX by announcing its 40th Champion (and its most ambitious yet): Imani, the Last Warder. Perhaps more than any other Champion, the dragon mage Imani captures the true essence of <em>Paladins</em>: The shooting elements of modern games crossed with the magic of a fantasy world. This stance switcher slings fireballs and ice bolts… and summons a massive dragon, which is just cool.</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105788" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/03-86.jpg" alt="Paladins Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105788" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/03-86.jpg" alt="Paladins Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></noscript></p>
<p>Imani’s introduction is part of a new direction for <em>Paladins</em>, driven by the game’s fantasy world. Her arrival was foretold by a lore story arc that began back in August. This consistent story, which evolves from month-to-month, will drive a 2019 full of new Champions, maps, and game modes which combine to tell an ongoing tale.</p>
<p>These monthly major updates will also introduce long-requested features like clans, in-game tournaments and persistent lobbies. And <em>Paladins</em> has so much more in store for 2019, I can’t fit it all in this post. Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecUFPwr5cE0">our 2019 teaser video</a> to get a taste for what’s in store for <em>Paladins</em>!</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105789" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/04-55.jpg" alt="Paladins Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105789" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/04-55.jpg" alt="Paladins Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></noscript></p>
<p>Imani won’t drop until Season 2 begins in January, but the beat has already dropped in <em>Paladins</em> with the Remix Battle Pass, which went live on Thursday as part of the 1.8 update. Check it out and get some sweet skins for Strix, Jenos, Seris, and… a Vulpin from an alternate reality named Pepper?</p>
<p><strong><em>Realm Royale</em></strong>, our fantasy class-based battle royale, entered closed alpha on Xbox One earlier this year. Today, <em>Realm Royale</em> is taking the next step towards release by entering closed beta on Xbox One! <em>Realm Royale</em> closed beta keys are being sent out every day. <u><a href="https://www.realmroyale.com/register/?console=xbox">Sign up for the Realm Royale Closed Beta here</a></u>!</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105790" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/05-1.png" alt="Smite Mixer Key Art Banner" width="800" height="200"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105790" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/05-1.png" alt="Smite Mixer Key Art Banner" width="800" height="200"/></noscript></p>
<p>Both <em>Paladins</em> and <em>Smite</em> made one more major announcement: The introduction of democratically elected player councils. These councils embrace the philosophy of Hi-Rez Studios of player-driven development and will help guide the direction of both <em>Smite</em> and <em>Paladins</em>. Learn more about <u><a href="http://paladins.com/aoc">Paladins’ Assembly of Champions</a></u> and <u><a href="http://smitegame.com/olympians">Smite’s Olympians</a></u>, and how you can join!</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105791" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/06.png" alt="Smite Mixer Key Art Banner" width="800" height="200"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105791" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/06.png" alt="Smite Mixer Key Art Banner" width="800" height="200"/></noscript></p>
<p>Don’t miss another moment of Hi-Rez Expo. We’re happy to have partnered with Mixer to stream every moment of HRX 2018 and give away some free loot! If you <u><a href="http://my.hirezstudios.com">link your Hi-Rez Account to your Microsoft Account</a></u> and watch either the <u><a href="https://mixer.com/smitegame"><em>Smite</em> channel</a></u> or the <u><a href="https://mixer.com/PaladinsGame"><em>Paladins</em> channel</a></u>, you can get SPL Bellona and Coldsnap Furia free!</p>
</div>
<div><div class="media_block"><img src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/SMITE_XBoxWire_Template-hero.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></div>
<p>The biggest weekend of the year is here for Hi-Rez Studios! We just kicked off our annual Hi-Rez Expo, live from DreamHack Atlanta, featuring the world championships for both our mythological MOBA <strong><em>Smite</em></strong> and our fantasy hero shooter <strong><em>Paladins</em></strong>.</p>
<p>I’m thrilled to tell you about our biggest announcements, but first: <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/the-smite-arena-bundle/bndwjm9x49ck?activetab=pivot:overviewtab">You can get the new <em>Smite</em> Arena Bundle free on the Microsoft Store for a limited time</a>! With this bundle’s seven gods you’ll be able to turn your foes to stone as Medusa, summon the might of a volcanic eruption as Pele, or resurrect fallen teammates as Khepri, the Dawn Bringer. The bundle also includes eight great skins, all free!</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105786" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/01-128.jpg" alt="Smite Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105786" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/01-128.jpg" alt="Smite Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></noscript></p>
<p>You may be asking, “Why call it the Arena Bundle?” That’s because of <em>Smite</em>’s biggest announcement: An all-new map for the insanely popular 5v5 Arena mode! This fast-paced brawl is a non-stop clash of the gods, with no complications.</p>
<p>And the new Arena map is available in-game <strong>right now</strong>! The map’s completely redone visuals both look better and improve gameplay clarity. Even better, the new Arena map tells a story of the ongoing battle between Hera, the Greek Queen of the Gods, and Bellona, the Roman Goddess of War… with the occasional rampaging Minotaur to make things interesting.</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105787" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/02-107.jpg" alt="Smite Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105787" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/02-107.jpg" alt="Smite Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></noscript></p>
<p>A new Arena map wasn’t enough for <em>Smite</em>. Prepare to enter a land called Avalon with <em>Smite</em>’s 99th and 100th gods: King Arthur and Merlin. These two legendary heroes from Arthurian mythology will bring an entirely new dimension to the battleground of the gods when they release early next year.</p>
<p><strong><em>Paladins</em></strong> kicked off HRX by announcing its 40th Champion (and its most ambitious yet): Imani, the Last Warder. Perhaps more than any other Champion, the dragon mage Imani captures the true essence of <em>Paladins</em>: The shooting elements of modern games crossed with the magic of a fantasy world. This stance switcher slings fireballs and ice bolts… and summons a massive dragon, which is just cool.</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105788" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/03-86.jpg" alt="Paladins Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105788" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/03-86.jpg" alt="Paladins Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></noscript></p>
<p>Imani’s introduction is part of a new direction for <em>Paladins</em>, driven by the game’s fantasy world. Her arrival was foretold by a lore story arc that began back in August. This consistent story, which evolves from month-to-month, will drive a 2019 full of new Champions, maps, and game modes which combine to tell an ongoing tale.</p>
<p>These monthly major updates will also introduce long-requested features like clans, in-game tournaments and persistent lobbies. And <em>Paladins</em> has so much more in store for 2019, I can’t fit it all in this post. Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecUFPwr5cE0">our 2019 teaser video</a> to get a taste for what’s in store for <em>Paladins</em>!</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105789" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/04-55.jpg" alt="Paladins Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105789" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/04-55.jpg" alt="Paladins Key Art" width="1920" height="1080"/></noscript></p>
<p>Imani won’t drop until Season 2 begins in January, but the beat has already dropped in <em>Paladins</em> with the Remix Battle Pass, which went live on Thursday as part of the 1.8 update. Check it out and get some sweet skins for Strix, Jenos, Seris, and… a Vulpin from an alternate reality named Pepper?</p>
<p><strong><em>Realm Royale</em></strong>, our fantasy class-based battle royale, entered closed alpha on Xbox One earlier this year. Today, <em>Realm Royale</em> is taking the next step towards release by entering closed beta on Xbox One! <em>Realm Royale</em> closed beta keys are being sent out every day. <u><a href="https://www.realmroyale.com/register/?console=xbox">Sign up for the Realm Royale Closed Beta here</a></u>!</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105790" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/05-1.png" alt="Smite Mixer Key Art Banner" width="800" height="200"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105790" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/05-1.png" alt="Smite Mixer Key Art Banner" width="800" height="200"/></noscript></p>
<p>Both <em>Paladins</em> and <em>Smite</em> made one more major announcement: The introduction of democratically elected player councils. These councils embrace the philosophy of Hi-Rez Studios of player-driven development and will help guide the direction of both <em>Smite</em> and <em>Paladins</em>. Learn more about <u><a href="http://paladins.com/aoc">Paladins’ Assembly of Champions</a></u> and <u><a href="http://smitegame.com/olympians">Smite’s Olympians</a></u>, and how you can join!</p>
<p><img class="lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-105791" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/06.png" alt="Smite Mixer Key Art Banner" width="800" height="200"/></p>
<p><noscript><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105791" src="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/06.png" alt="Smite Mixer Key Art Banner" width="800" height="200"/></noscript></p>
<p>Don’t miss another moment of Hi-Rez Expo. We’re happy to have partnered with Mixer to stream every moment of HRX 2018 and give away some free loot! If you <u><a href="http://my.hirezstudios.com">link your Hi-Rez Account to your Microsoft Account</a></u> and watch either the <u><a href="https://mixer.com/smitegame"><em>Smite</em> channel</a></u> or the <u><a href="https://mixer.com/PaladinsGame"><em>Paladins</em> channel</a></u>, you can get SPL Bellona and Coldsnap Furia free!</p>
</div>