Sometimes Devs will invoke the update but not turn on the various new content/systems yet. They want to see how it affects the users' computer systems first. Later when their data shows that the client-server handshakes are stable, they will start "allowing" users access to various new updated areas.
About 30% of the games I've tested do it this way. The other 70% just open up the content and get tons of bugs all at once.
When it dumped me to the Report a Bug webpage, I perused the Game Log information. I found that it choked on:
:Launcher: Starting Pirates Online...
:04-29-2010 00
54 :express: Could not read certificates.txt.
:04-29-2010 00
54 :express: Could not read gameserver.txt.
:LoginScreen: Login failed: Bad Version Compare
(Sever is 1.0.24.8, client is 1.0.23.8) Connection Rejected.
On my account/computer: Live is version 1.0.24.8 per Live Login screen. Test client is listed as 1.0.23.8. Test version is listed as...well, I won't type that here. I don't know who can peruse this forum section.
I wonder if these are also choking your entry from the desktop login?
TQQdles™,
Dolnor Numbwit
aka Beth Darkfury
Blastin' Them Scurvy Navy Dogs!