~POTCO News~ March 24,2008

[PirateMarioJr]

Arm Yourself With Brand-New Weapons!March 24 2008New weapons are coming soon to Pirates Online, bringing with them more damage, faster reload rates, special effects, and more! You can look forward to new voodoo dolls, daggers, voodoo staffs, and pistols. These new weapons will be available later this month on the Test server, and will be hitting the live game in April. New Guild Invite CodesMarch 24 2008 Recruiting for your Guild just got a whole lot easier. Instead of having to generate a code for each person you invite, you can now take advantage of multiple and unlimited use invite codes.


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To create a Guild Code:
Step One: Hit F to open your Friends Panel (or open it through your Sea Chest)
Step Two: Click Guild Tab
Step Three: Click Guild Options button
Step Four: Click Create Invitation
Step Five: Select your invite type.

Invite types:
Single Use Invite: code can be used by 1 person
Multiple Use Invite: code can be used by 1-100 people
Unlimited Use Invite: code can be used as often as you like, until you invalidate it. You can invalidate codes by clicking on Invitation Options in the Guild Tab and choosing to clear Limited Use Invites (this clears Single, Multiple, or Unlimited Use Invites).
Everybody Was Sea-in' GreenMarch 24 2008Did you get a chance to sail the high green seas? There was a whole lot of green going on in the Caribbean on March 17. Some Pirates rocked a green 'do, while others got inked up with some new lucky tattoos! Check out the screenshots above in case you missed the celebration - and if you didn't, at least they will bring up some fond memories.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest. Check out the top 10
reasons "Why Pirates are More Lovable Than Ninjas" below:

1.Ninjas are supposed to be silent, not endlessly witty and charming, savvy?
Calico Anne, Columbia, SC

2.Ninjas go where they're told, but a Pirate follows nothing but his heart.
Kiel Morgan, Jacksonville, NC

3.Being friends with a Pirate means you'll always head home with a little extra cash.
Cutty Flam, Cuba, NY

4.Pirates may not be the best friends you have, but at least they're honest about being dishonest.
Isaiah Fireskull, West Springfield, PA

5.Pirates come in all different shapes and sizes, so there is a Pirate out there for everyone!
Fish Bait, Brooklyn, NY

6.Singing romantic sea shanties is part and parcel of being a Pirate. Ever see a ninja sing? I don't think so.
Kres Farsailer, Georgetown, TX

7.What's more lovable than the stench of a Pirate who hasn't bathed in a month?!?
Lord Kearn, Kingsburg, CA

8.Ninjas always have to be in their black tights crawling around and stalking people. That's just creepy!
Mary, Bethlehem, PA

9.Pirates wear clothes when they go out, while ninjas wear pajamas. Who wants to go on a date with someone wearing pajamas?
Buffles De La Puffles, Oceanside, CA

10.Ninjas rudely sneak up on people. Who likes to be snuck up on? Pirates are very polite in the way that they notify you when they are about to attack you.
Charlotte O'hara, Raymond, ME
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From Alvaro:

I was wondering, seeing as there is some confusion: what is the total number of skill points a pirate can have on a weapon by the time he masters it? Is it 25, because at level 25 a pirate does not receive a skill point, or is it 26, 2 from when you receive the weapon and 24 from each level up until level 25? Thanks in advance!

You can receive a total of 26 skill points - 2 points are given when you first start the weapon and an additional skill point is given for each level after that.



From Justin:

How can I pass the leadership of my Guild to an officer? Is that possible?

It's not possible to do at this time. However, we are working on a lot of additional Guild features for the game and have discussed adding this feature at some point. Once we have more information on the timing, we'll be sure to announce it.



From David:

Will there be a version for Linux-users at any point in the future, and if so, when might that be?

Currently, we don't have any plans for a Linux version of the game. Although we have a lot of Linux fans over here, we simply don't have a large enough team to devote developers to it at this time.



From Matt:

I am trying to buy a war frigate, but I need more gold. What are some quick and easy ways to get the gold I need?

One of the best ways is befriending someone with a War Galleon. War Galleons can hold the most cargo (16 crates), thus will yield the most gold when you return to port.



From John:

I have noticed that there are not very many locations in Pirates Online from the movies...are you planning on adding any more film related islands or areas?

Yes, we plan on adding some more elements from the movies. Not necessarily islands, but ships, clothing, characters, enemies, etc.



From Leah:

I think there should be some words added to the chat dictionary. Where can I send my suggestions to?

We'd greatly appreciate any help you can provide to make our chat dictionary more robust. We'd also like to encourage players to send us suggestions for additional phrases that they'd like to see added to the Speed Chat drop-down menu. Any and all of these suggestions can be sent to us by using the Contact Us form.



From Justin:

Some Apple keyboards have predefined settings for the function keys for swapping weapons. Will it be able to reconfigure these keys in the game?

Yes, we do plan to add key mapping functionality in the future. In the meantime, you can also hold down the fn key on your Mac keyboard to enable the function keys for in-game use. For example, fn+F1 will take out your sword. Also, if you have a mouse wheel, you can scroll the wheel to cycle between weapons.



From Robin:

Why when I am chatting can I not tell another member of my guild what ocean I am playing in without having "aaar" show up in its place? I do not have any restrictions on my chat options? If the word is a part of the game, why would it not be recognized?

Thank you for the question - because of it and other feedback we've received, we have added Ocean names to the chat dictionary. They will no longer be replaced with an 'aaar'. We will continue to refine this and other game elements. We really appreciate your feedback.



From Michelle:

How do you start a guild? I found information on how to join a guild and how to invite people to join your guild - but I can't find out how to start one.

In order to create a guild, follow the instructions below:

Click on the Friends icon in your Sea Chest to bring up the Friends Panel
Click on the Guild tab located on the bottom right of the Friends Panel. This will bring up Guild Options.
Click on Create Guild and then click OK when the pop up appears. You have now created a guild!


From Damon:

At what level do notoriety and weapons "max" out on the live server as they were restricted to 40 and 25 respectively on the beta.

This is still the case on the live server.



From Steven:

I was wondering why some POTC online players (avatars) over level 30 can do things like play a guitar or sweep with a brush??!! What is this and how do they do this? Thanks!

This sounds like a case of our DEV's showing off! Stay tuned for fun emotes that may be unlocked by certain quests and notoriety gains.



From Seth:

How do I buy/get/earn a tonic?

Visit a gypsy cart and click on the 3rd tab on the left of the "Store" panel.



From Jeff:

Can you create your own ship, as in placing where cannons, stairs, etc. are placed?

Not yet, but we are planning on expanding the game in the future to be able to customize what types of cannons, broadsides, prows and sails you have on your ship, as well as other cool ways to make your ship unique.



From Michelle:

Where can I go to purchase a new weapon?

There are different shops for different types of weapons. You can buy swords and daggers at the blacksmith shops, and you can buy pistols, grenades, and cannon ammo at the gunsmith shops. You can also get tonics, voodoo dolls and voodoo staffs from gypsy carts.



From Johanna:

Are player ships allowed to sink other player ships outside of the PVP playing mode? There are people near Cuba (switching seas) that sink anyone outside their guild. In other games, you can't be sunk unless you go over certain boundaries or reach a certain level - this allows more fair play. Is this how it will be in Pirates Online?

We've received a number of questions similar to this one - so we figured it must be a hot one! If players decide they want to fight each other, they can use the game's Lookout System to get matched up for player vs. player combat and blast away all they like. Otherwise, players will NOT be able to damage each other's ships (through any means, including ramming and cannons) when in the open (non-PVP) area.



From Alex:

I am a level 7 player and I wanted a flintlock pistol, so I bought one. When I went to the "weapons" section to equip it, it was red and said "need pistol training to use" - I figured I would get pistol training later in the game. Later on, I saw a level 5 member using a pistol! I just want to know how I get pistol training so I can use it. Please help me!

Thanks for sending us your question…we hope this helps to clear up some of the confusion! So, before you can even purchase a pistol, you must learn about the Pirate Code and complete pistol training. In order to do this, you must complete the quest in the tutorial that sends you to visit Barbossa on Devil's Anvil. Upon completion of this quest, Barbossa will give you your first pistol - the Flintlock Pistol. Other types of pistols can be purchased in stores, but keep in mind, they have minimum level requirements.
Here are the current minimum level requirements:
Double-Barrel : Pistol Level 5 (250 gold)*
Triple-Barrel : Pistol Level 15 (2500 gold)*
*These numbers may change slightly as we continue balance the game before launch.



From Dylan W:

What kind of voodoo spells will be in the game?

There are a wide variety of voodoo abilities you will use in Pirates of the Caribbean Online, from potions and spells that allow you to heal other players, to curses you cast on various enemies with your Voodoo Doll or Staff. Your ability to use these skills is decided by your level of Voodoo power which will accrue over time as you progress in the game. Among the many voodoo combat skills, players will be able to summon swarms of wasps onto enemies, set them ablaze, or drain their health.



From Andrew:

What is the economy going to be like in-game?

The main currency in the Caribbean is gold, which you'll need plenty of to survive, finance your adventures, and advance your character in the game. Gold can be earned, stolen, or found throughout the game's series of different islands. You can earn gold by winning parlor games like blackjack and poker or by completing quests that are assigned to you, with additional opportunities to loot ships and dig up buried treasure. You'll need this precious currency for a variety of purposes throughout the game, including weapon upgrades and purchasing ships, so it's best to start saving up when the game launches!



From Chris L:

Do you have to become a pirate, or can you join the Navy? Personally, I want to be a pirate, but it would be fun to try both sides.

Join forces with the enemy? Never! We prefer the untamed, pillage and plunder lifestyle of a buccaneer -- though we have thought about ways to incorporate the concept of playing as a member of the Navy into the game. One thought we've had is to develop a system where you can earn a British Navy uniform, then sneak into one of their forts to complete a task. We'll keep you posted on whether this, or something similar, makes it into the game!



From Nick M:

I've been looking for a decent Pirate MMO for a while now and this has struck some interest in me. One main thing concerns me though -- will this game have content for the kind of person looking for a fun community?

Yes, community will be a large part of Pirates of the Caribbean Online, including tons of events, contests, in-game competitions, and player-generated content. Look for everything from Hold Em' Poker Tournaments to Fan Fiction Contests to an in-game Quest for Gold Treasure Hunt. We'll also host a variety of player-generated content on the site, like in-game video capture, screenshots, artwork, and more.



From Aaron:

What will the PVP (player vs. player) combat be like?

We've developed a robust player vs. player combat system that will be key in your attempt to become the most notorious pirate in the game. What better way to prove yourself a worthy rival than against your fellow pirates?
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Who is Jolly Roger? March 24 2008:

Seafaring folk often tell the old tale of how the envious pirate Jolly Roger and Captain Jack Sparrow found themselves vying for the same coveted seat in the Brethren Court. 'Twas a position Jolly Roger long believed he deserved far more than Captain Jack. But when the captain of the Black Pearl gained the seat - though some whisper it was craftily attained -- Jolly Roger's jealous fury raged towards Jack and he vowed vengeance. Jolly Roger then conspired with a Voodoo witch doctor to settle the score. Together, they schemed to rig a card game to trick Jack out of his piece of eight -- the coin and beads entwined in Sparrow's hair -- a symbol of membership to the esteemed Pirate Brethren.

'Twas a position Jolly Roger long believed he deserved far more than Captain Jack. But when the captain of the Black Pearl gained the seat - though some whisper it was craftily attained -- Jolly Roger's jealous fury raged towards Jack and he vowed vengeance. Jolly Roger then conspired with a Voodoo witch doctor to settle the score. Together, they schemed to rig a card game to trick Jack out of his piece of eight -- the coin and beads entwined in Sparrow's hair -- a symbol of membership to the esteemed Pirate Brethren.

Jack coincidentally drew the winning hand through a combination of luck and guile. The victory further enraged Jolly Roger and triggered the ill-tempered loser to brutally slay the witch doctor right on the spot. In his final living moments, the witch doctor invoked a vindictive spell on his slayer. Legend has it that the evil curse doomed Jolly Roger to walk the Earth as the undead.
As the shaman's body dissipated into dust, Jolly Roger inherited the all-powerful Voodoo forces of his victim and was then transformed into a skeletal beast with empty gaping sockets for eyes and a gnarled fleshless hoof as his leg. Armed with a sinister flintlock and cutlass contraption in place of a limb, he became the heinous abomination now known as Jolly Roger, the villainous leader of an undead horde. The new power granted him the ability to devour his victims' souls and then raise them from the dead with his own supernatural breath. He began to build an army of undead monsters - each creature becoming an extension of Jolly's own dark soul.

Cursed to terrorize the high seas for eternity, Jolly Roger now unleashes his dark powers to raise the rotting remains of dead Pirates to do his evil bidding -- a fate far worse than death. Be forewarned, his abilities are far from being limited to raising the dead. He has inflicted his dark influence upon many natural creatures including: undead alligators, bats, wasps, crabs, scorpions, and deadly stalking tree stumps. They all possess malicious intents akin to Jolly Roger himself.

Those who treasure their lives, souls, and loved ones best steer clear of this evildoer's deadly path ... or pay the price, for he will not rest until he becomes absolute ruler of the Caribbean.

[Li Rigbain]

Can't wait for the new weapons to come out!

[PirateMarioJr]

I know me too

[Chris]

i found a few things interesting

From Steven:

I was wondering why some POTC online players (avatars) over level 30 can do things like play a guitar or sweep with a brush??!! What is this and how do they do this? Thanks!

This sounds like a case of our DEV's showing off! Stay tuned for fun emotes that may be unlocked by certain quests and notoriety gains.

has anyone seen these ???/

From Jeff:

Can you create your own ship, as in placing where cannons, stairs, etc. are placed?

Not yet, but we are planning on expanding the game in the future to be able to customize what types of cannons, broadsides, prows and sails you have on your ship, as well as other cool ways to make your ship unique.

YAAAAAAYYYYY!!!

From Johanna:

Are player ships allowed to sink other player ships outside of the PVP playing mode? There are people near Cuba (switching seas) that sink anyone outside their guild. In other games, you can't be sunk unless you go over certain boundaries or reach a certain level - this allows more fair play. Is this how it will be in Pirates Online?

We've received a number of questions similar to this one - so we figured it must be a hot one! If players decide they want to fight each other, they can use the game's Lookout System to get matched up for player vs. player combat and blast away all they like. Otherwise, players will NOT be able to damage each other's ships (through any means, including ramming and cannons) when in the open (non-PVP) area.

no there is no mension of ship pvp

From Nick M:

I've been looking for a decent Pirate MMO for a while now and this has struck some interest in me. One main thing concerns me though -- will this game have content for the kind of person looking for a fun community?

Yes, community will be a large part of Pirates of the Caribbean Online, including tons of events, contests, in-game competitions, and player-generated content. Look for everything from Hold Em' Poker Tournaments to Fan Fiction Contests to an in-game Quest for Gold Treasure Hunt. We'll also host a variety of player-generated content on the

i bolded the interesting parts like in game quest hunt for gold huh?