Firefly Studios announces that Stronghold Kingdoms is "gold," and the free-to-play MMO castle sim will officially leave beta testing on October 17th. Word is this will be accompanied by fulfilling user requests for a revamp to the game's audio: "New sound effects have been one of the most frequently requested features for Stronghold Kingdoms, adding a layer of immersion to the game that appeals to players new and old. Battles now rumble with the marching and clash of armies, scouts can be heard galloping to their next target and traders carting off to the parish capital with their goods. There are also a number of sounds added to the user interface, providing better feedback for players."