Release Notes - June 2nd, 2009

[Sarah]

Protest with feedback. They'll never know how many are disgusted if you don't tell them.

[jason davy]

I have posted and submitted complaints everywhere I could find, emphasizing I will absolutely not be renewing.

[Cannonfury]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Protest with feedback. They'll never know how many are disgusted if you don't tell them.

I have sent them feedback, they haven't sent me a reply yet.

[Juliana Maria]

Originally Posted by Maria Cannonfury

I have sent them feedback, they haven't sent me a reply yet.

I can't imagine how many complaints they must be getting at this point. I wouldn't be surprised if they start sending a copy and paste response. I bet the first few complaints got real answers though. Hmm, we shall see I guess.

[Maximvs]

My Submission:

-----

G'day

I must ask what is with the removal of linked accounts? Now me and my little one's pirates are useless as we cannot play together.

Calling this a "security" feature is just a cover for "money for two" accounts - its a poor choice as when my renewal comes up there will be no money spent for either (and since I pay yearly for me and my little one to play - the loss is only to you and not to my pocket).

This was a POOR decision, and from what I've discussed and read from others has only pushed the breaking point with many subscribers who have been loyal paying customer - while no new major story has been released since the game appeared in 2007 (which is when I joined).

Players for over a year have been forced to "entertain themselves" with Weapon Upgrades, A Few Side Quests and looking at new Towns where NONE of the REP earned counts - and now families cannot even play together.

Instead of wasting time on such matters try FIXING the Glitches which affect PvP and SvS and release the next storyline already.

Very Disgusted,
Maximvs (Used my real name here for the submission)

---

I'm sure they are trying to kill the game off... it is the only reason that they would continue to do these kind of actions...

grr...

[Nelly Darkpaine]

Im about totally disinterested now. They think this will HELP with banned members???

Those people just create new basic accounts! Not used linked ones!

They have basically eliminated family play - I was always a big POTCO supporter and player, but Ive about had it.

Im ready to walk entirely now.

[Cannonfury]

Originally Posted by Maximvs

My Submission:

-----

G'day

I must ask what is with the removal of linked accounts? Now me and my little one's pirates are useless as we cannot play together.

Calling this a "security" feature is just a cover for "money for two" accounts - its a poor choice as when my renewal comes up there will be no money spent for either (and since I pay yearly for me and my little one to play - the loss is only to you and not to my pocket).

This was a POOR decision, and from what I've discussed and read from others has only pushed the breaking point with many subscribers who have been loyal paying customer - while no new major story has been released since the game appeared in 2007 (which is when I joined).

Players for over a year have been forced to "entertain themselves" with Weapon Upgrades, A Few Side Quests and looking at new Towns where NONE of the REP earned counts - and now families cannot even play together.

Instead of wasting time on such matters try FIXING the Glitches which affect PvP and SvS and release the next storyline already.

Very Disgusted,
Maximvs (Used my real name here for the submission)

---

I'm sure they are trying to kill the game off... it is the only reason that they would continue to do these kind of actions...

grr...

Yeah, you tell em Max!!! Disney

[Augie Doodle]

An official statement from Disney Online has been posted to the Grog Blog, reposted here:

Thanks for your feedback regarding the change made to Linked Accounts. We understand your concerns and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you, we'd like to take a moment to address your questions and comments:

Q: The Linked Accounts feature was implemented from the beginning, and used by a large number of subscribers and families, why remove it?

A: We removed the feature because it was being exploited more often than it was being used for its intended purpose. Players were using it to work around suspensions and holds after these players were removed from the game. In addition, many players were allowing other players to access their account with the feature too - In both cases, this compromised game security on several levels. Please know before we implemented the change we collected data on exactly how many people would be affected by it, in reality this change affects an extremely small number of our players.

Q: With this update, you have effectively made my character (that I have spent many hours to level and master) totally inaccessible.

A: If the character you're trying to access is yours, you should have the account information to access it. If you don't remember your account information, please use our Account Services to recover your Member Name and Password. Can't remember your password or account information, then use the links below for help:

Forgot Your Account ID?

Need to Change Your Password?

Q: Is this so Disney can make more money on subscriptions?

A: We did this strictly to address security concerns. We've removed the ability for you to tab between linked accounts, not to link them, so families can still have multiple accounts and pay for those accounts through one primary account.

For the few families that actually used the feature to play with other members of their family at the same time using the same account, again, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We're working on a solution that will directly address your concerns, until then, please access the account you want to play directly by using your account information.

Thanks for all your great feedback. We know any change takes some getting used to, but feel the change will not only improve account security but help make the game better as well by making players more responsible for the actions of their own accounts. Keep those comments coming!

[mlratto]

Nice job Disney...instead of "fixing" the security issue you do this!!!???


i'll be sending off my thoughts to Disney after i get home tonight.

[Juliana Maria]

Yes. thank you Disney for that "wonderful" statement. I guess we are doing our job though.. They are clearly feeling the heat on this one if they posted this. And in regards to that data, how did they get it I'm wondering :-/ .... And I agree, why was this "solution" not implemented when they RELEASED this??? Seriously, who is running things over there? Clearly someone is not thinking clearly.. or they are taking this pirate/rum thing a little to seriously.

[Cannonfury]

There are 2 GM pirates on right now on antik server tortuga talking about the eict lol. In front of the tortuga dock.

[jason davy]

Dear Jason,

We apologize for the confusion regarding Linked Accounts and for any
inconvenience it may have caused.

We have removed the ability to tab between Linked Accounts on the Pirate
selection screen. This feature was being exploited rather than being
used for its intended purpose and compromising the safety of other
players. We take the safety of our guests very seriously and did this
strictly to address security concerns.

While we have removed the ability to tab between linked accounts,
accounts can still be linked allowing families to still have multiple
accounts and pay for those accounts through one primary account.

We?re working on a solution that will directly address your concerns,
until then, please access the account you want to play directly by using
your account information.

Thank you,

Garon
Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online Member Services

EDIT: Just got the exact same response for my other account. Except the second one was from "Robert"

ALSO, I call bull on this one. If they were getting enough complaints to make a statement on the grog blog and close down live support, this OBVIOUSLY affects more than "an extremely small number of players." I would sure like to know where the heck they are getting that kind of information.

[Sarah]

HA. Just got the same exact response in my mail, except from "Beenish". Keep sending the message gang.

[Stephen O'Malley]

Yep, same response here, from Robert.

[swashbuckler II]

Same exact 2 responces.