There’s ice on the windows, cheer in the air, and everyone is pretending to like eggnog again. It can only mean one thing: that the festive season is drawing near. Many of your favourite games will be promoting their seasonal events, but once again New World’s Winter Convergence Festival looks to be one of the biggest and brightest, with a whole host of themed activities and loot.
The Winter Convergence Festival had its first outing last year, after the successful launch of the MMO from Amazon Games, and is back again for more festive fun. The world of Aeternum undergoes a dramatic change during December, with new Winter Villages springing up all across the map.
We’ve compiled a handy guide for your winter wandering, taking you on a quick tour of the Village locations and what they have to offer. Whether you’re new to New World or an old hand looking for a new event, the Winter Convergence Festival is the perfect time to load up the game and jump in. Remember to keep your wits about you even in times of festive cheer, as the evil that lurks in Aeternum doesn’t take a Christmas holiday.
Monarch’s Bluffs
Walk south from the Monarch’s Bluffs settlement, keeping towards the coast, and you’ll find the first of these Winter Villages. This one is situated opposite the Dreadscythe Lookout shrine – you’ll see it illuminated by the Aurora Borealis in the sky.
Adorned with cool pastels and warm fairy lights, this coastal town is like a big gift waiting to be unwrapped. Here, you can meet the Winter Wanderer – a big white yeti – and carry out his quests, within relatively safe surroundings. The area is fairly low level, making it a perfect place to start exploring if you’re new to the game or just want some peace and quiet.
Even those fans who played last year will see some real changes as the whole area and the neighbouring settlement has had a bit of a makeover as of September. The Brimstone Sands update made the whole area look a little more dramatic, with tall keep towers, steep rock faces covered in thick vegetation, and an overhaul to the exterior of houses.
Everfall
The nearest major location to this Winter Village is Everfall. Going east from here to the border with Reekwater, or fast travelling to the nearby Bearclaw Shrine, will put you squarely on its doorstep. Remember to look for the lights in the sky!
Once you’ve entered this snowy town draped in festive decor and piles of gifts, you’ll meet the Winter Wanderer once again. Follow his requests to get some seasonal goodies, and exchange your tokens in the Holiday Hut. Everfall is known for being fairly varied in terms of enemy strength, meaning that they can appear from level one through to 25.
Those who are new to the game may not have ventured as far as Everfall just yet, as the houses there are reserved for higher tiers, but the Winter Convergence Festival is a perfect opportunity to brave the snow and explore.
Weaver’s Fen
The biggest settlement within reach of the third Winter Village is Weaver’s Fen, although the village itself straddles the border with Edengrove. Mallory’s Refuge is to the west of the village, giving players two waypoints to choose from. Living in either of these settlements gives you quick access to the Winter Convergence challenges and activities.
The beasts that roam this area year-round won’t give up for the festivities, so be careful when you venture out this far. With a mob level of 30-40, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got your wits about you and some decent weaponry. What could be more festive?
If you successfully dodge the enemies nearby, you’ll be able to chat with the Winter Wanderer and participate in festive events.
Brightwood
To the west of Brightwood, towards the great waters of Ebonscale Reach, is the final Winter Village. Decked out in bright colours and full of festive character, you’ll be hard pushed to miss its entrance.
Not quite as fearsome as Weaver’s Fen, but still a solid challenge, the mob level of the surrounding area is 26-35, so it may take a bit of grinding and stat checking before you’re completely safe here. This mystical forest is home to the Azoth Tree, but your pilgrimage will be more concerned with the Tree of Light, which will reward you daily from its Gift Pile.
Speaking of gifts, you’ll want to look out for lost presents as you ride from one village to the next, as these can be exchanged for precious tokens. Keep your eyes on the sky for falling Gleamite, too, which will rain down at random points throughout the festival.
Even if this is the first you’re hearing of New World, the Winter Convergence Festival is a great time to start playing. With a huge offering of activities and exclusive loot, there’s no better time to jump in (or jump BACK in) to New World’s frosty festivities.