New News at Piratesonline.com

[Nick]

January 22, 2007

Pirates History & Mythology
Pirates of the Caribbean is an epic adventure set against the backdrop of history. It is a world where the real coexists with the unreal and where the conflict between what is primal and what is civilized is raging out of control. It is stuck between these two conflicting worlds that we find the legendary pirate Captain Jack Sparrow and his cohorts, including Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann. Each must ultimately strike a delicate balance between that which is rebellious and supernatural and that which is civilized and reasoned.

The embodiment of this struggle, of the chaotic freedom that is a pirate's life, comes through in these characters and will also be captured within the game. Pirates of the Caribbean Online will extend the world and its mythology by inviting players to step in and claim their own piece of the buccaneer lifestyle, to live the greatest pirate story ever told, and to create their own legend alongside the leading characters from the film franchise. To further explore the mythology and also get a glimpse at how these and other characters are brought to life in the game, check out Developer Diary #2 & #3 and Video Insider #4.
Desktop Galleon
Pirates of the Caribbean Online may not have launched yet, but you can still enjoy a piece of the adventure today. Download the Desktop Galleon and complete a series of fast-paced, ship-to-ship cannon battles, collect gold, and unlock hidden treasure. If luck's on your side, the more you play, the more handsomely you'll be rewarded in-game.
Video Insider
Check out the latest Video Insider for a look at how the VR Studio brings characters from the Pirates film franchise to life in Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Watch how the artists and animators build in-game characters like Elizabeth Swann and incorporate their unique physical features and traits. You'll also preview the "Create-a-Pirate" system used to create your in-game pirate avatar -- everything from height and hair color to the bridge of your pirate's nose and pattern of their coats are customizable, creating millions of possible combinations and outcomes.
Meet the Crew
We've updated the Crew Bio page to include a few more tricksters and pirate rogues. Take a look at their interviews and check back next month for more!
Developer Diary
Check out the latest updates to our Developer Diaries, each focusing on a different aspect of the game's development process:
In-game Characters
Learn about the robust character generation system created by the Animation Team at the VR Studio, and how they've maximized customization with a variety of physical features and clothing options. Everything down to your pirate's five o'clock shadow, wrinkled brow, or narrow-set eyes can be determined in the character generation process, allowing for millions of truly unique avatars.
Pirates Mythology
Read up on how the history and mythology of the Pirates franchise are integrated into the game, whether the storyline, different game environments, or film characters.
Click here to view the full Developer Diary series, including the latest two releases.
Community Q&A
As your emails keep pouring in, we'll continue responding to them in the Community Q&A section of the site. Send in questions or comments on anything from the types of weapons available to ship features to storylines. This is your chance to talk directly to the makers of Pirates of the Caribbean Online! Read a sampling of what your peers are asking about.

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 great 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, including PVP battles, 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.