Game Insider #25: Jan '09 Newsletter

[Batleth]

New Year - New Adventures


2008 was a blast but Pirates don't spend their lives looking over their shoulder - we're looking ahead to a 2009 that's packed with game updates, improvements and much, much more!

See what's on the horizon for 2009.


Port Royal Destroyed
New Town Rises from the Ashes - Tours Daily

As you may have read, something's going on in the Caribbean - specifically Port Royal. In the coming days, you'll see the town turned to ruins by a cataclysmic event - what will rise from the rumble will be a completely NEW Port Royal.

As one of the first game improvements for 2009, we're introducing a NEW Port Royal and our GMs have volunteered to show us around. Click here for a Tour Schedule. The new layout will take some getting used to, but once you get used to it, we think you'll agree - the new Port Royal looks better and feels more like a real town. Click here for screenshots of the new Port Royal.


New Year's Resolution
Be a Better Pirate in 2009

This year, the Pirates Online Crew resolves to add a ton of great new features to the game - but that's not all, we're exercising our Pirates more (Captain Walter seems to be getting a little soft around the middle) and cutting back on the sweets!

What are your Pirate's New Year's resolutions? Submit yours and read others on the Grog Blog.


Anniversary Contest Deadline Extended
Send in Your Video by February 15

Live the Pirates Life? Then prove it! You could win a trip to the Disneyland Resort, stay in the Disneyland Hotel, and spend a night in the Pirates of the Caribbean suite! Plus an iPod Nano, a Macbook, a chance to meet the Pirates Online crew, a trip to the Walt Disney Studios and much, much more!

We've extended the contest deadline until February 15 so get your video in today and good luck. Check out the Contest Details here.
See sample videos here.


Pirates Online Goes Mobile
Cannons of the Deep Released

Last but not least - we thought we'd take a second and tell you about a cool little thing the guys in the lab of Disney Mobile have been tinkering with. They've built a new site that lets you connect to your Pirate from your mobile phone - currently, this Beta version allows you to check your Pirate stats, embark on treasure hunts, ship battles, and earn loot.

All Pirates can access the game for free - just enter www.PiratesOnline.com in your mobile phone's web browser or text PIRATES to DISNEY (347639) to play Cannons of the Deep exclusively on your mobile phone. Learn more about the mobile game here.

[Edward Edgemenace]

Wow! In February, they will open up the test server to everyone? WHOOOHOOO! /celebrate

[Sarah]

Expanded......
Oh they'd better pull this off...



It's the start of the New Year, and the question on every Pirate's mind is "What's coming to the game and when?" To kick off 2009, we thought we'd tell you about some of our plans for the upcoming year and speak directly to some of your comments and concerns.

We've got some great surprises planned for you but don't want to spoil the fun for players who look forward to those same surprises, so properly warned ye be - thar be spoilers ahead! Here now are some major updates planned for 2009.

Optimizing the Game
Over the past year, we've tracked every e-mail, question, and comment you've ever had about the game, and we've learned a lot about what adventures you want and what your frustrations are. Based on your feedback, the main issue that kept coming up over and over again was making the game run better and more smoothly on your computer.

That said, for the past few months, parts of our development team have been working to optimize Pirates Online. In short, we're significantly improving how the game runs on your machine. This means you'll see less lag, a better frame rate, and other graphical improvements. This also means you'll see some pretty significant changes to a few of our main environments -- like an entirely new Port Royal, and other revised locations. We're really excited about these changes and think you will be too. These new locales feel more like real Caribbean locations, but more importantly will make your overall experience with the game better.

We did this because everything in the Caribbean is directly tied to how the game performs. For instance, how can you enjoy a new feature, event, or new item if you're frustrated with the overall game performance? Your feedback told us time and time again that this was your number one issue with the game.

In the days ahead, you'll see performance improvements (and new a Port Royal) coming to the game - but keep a lookout on the Grog Blog or Current News for exact dates and more details. Get a Sneak Peek at the New Port Royal.

We expect these improvements to solve many display and performance issues. However, please remember you should always close other programs running in the background when you play Pirates Online -- this includes instant messaging applications, music players, and other programs, like your Internet browser in order to have the best gameplay experience.


New Web Site
In addition to the game, we're also improving the Web site making it a Pirate's destination! We'll be adding new features like an Event Calendar and weekly columns. Plus, you'll get a chance to contribute like you never have before via the Grog Blog, Contests and more! The first phase will introduce redesigns while other additions to the site will roll out in the months ahead. Get a Sneak Peek at the new homepage and discuss it on the Grog Blog.

New Content and Notoriety
Pirates are a demanding lot, and we've heard you loud and clear! You want new content and new adventures, you want the level and gold cap raised, and you want it all now - heck, we all do! Well rest assured, we're working on all of the above as fast as we can - expect to see the first of these updates in the months ahead.

You'll see new content in the form of Quests and other event-based adventures, plus the gold and level cap raised too. Just remember, content takes time to develop, test, and balance with the existing gameplay. Take for example the Kraken, maybe you've heard of this mythical sea monster? As the right-hand squid for Davy Jones, we can officially say the Kraken is coming to the Caribbean this year. As soon as the development team can wrangle him with their fishing nets they will release him with specific orders.

Much adventure be awaitin' you ahead, Pirates. And to face it, you'll need much more experience than you currently have, and you'll need to be allied with strong and able-bodied crews.


New Loot and Inventory System
The Bandana Incident. Have you forgotten it? We haven't. As we've said before, our inventory system is undergoing a dynamic overhaul. Pirates by their very nature collect stuff, so naturally being able to carry more items - and possibly even trading these items with other players - are improvements that we're rolling out around the middle of the year. In addition, once you have more slots for storage, you'll need effects like clothing, hats, and other items to accessorize your Pirate.


Weekly Events and Special Appearances
The Caribbean is a lively place, but it's about to get a lot more exciting - events like the Founders Feast, Jolly Roger's Curse, Tavern Takeovers, and the Feats of Strength Contest are just the start. In the immediate future, you'll see weekly GM-hosted events like weekly Crew Parties, Tavern Takeovers, and much, much more. These events are great opportunities for us to come together and just be Pirates but they're also a great way to learn more about the Caribbean. And while it's great to meet GM Captain Walter, what if he had a Quest for you the next time you met him or joined you on your next sail? Or what if you came face to face with Captain Jack Sparrow or Will Turner?


Fixing the Fixes
We try to test new features and systems as thoroughly as possible before they go out, but as Captain Jack Sparrow will tell you, the Caribbean is a big place and nothing ever goes as planned. When new builds of the game go out, sometimes other things get broken in the process. During these times, we appreciate your patience and understanding - we're always working to squash bugs and fix things as quickly as possible.

In the world of MMO game development, we're forging new territory everyday, doing things that haven't been tried before. Like you, we get frustrated too, but we're all working every day to make the game better. Want to help? Then keep an eye on the Current News or Grog Blog in early February for details on how you could join our Test Server. On the Test Server, we test upcoming game features and other additions before they're released to the live game, you could help make a difference by sending us your feedback on the new updates.

There you have it, a look at what's on the horizon for Pirates Online in 2009.

We realize this might not address every single concern, comment, or question you have - so in the weeks and months ahead you'll get a chance to hear more about these plans directly from members of our development team and the rest of the crew who work behind the scenes to make the game the best it can be.

We want you to know, every player is important to us, and we are listening to you! Our first year was great, but our second year is going to be incredible! We appreciate your support and passion for Pirates Online - not only are you a Guest, more importantly, you're a fellow Pirate!

[akamystic]

Somebody toss a bucket of cold water on me.....I just passed out.....lol. Sounds very optimistic.....we shall see. Thanks for posting! Great info!

[william kid]

Kraken, Kraken, now they put in a sea monster more gold to be spent to adjust cannon points for grape shot lol

Looks and sounds cool hope like Sarah said they can pull it off

[Chris]

If everything they say is true then i expect a New homepage, the kraken, new inventory screen, much much more events, noto and weapon caps raised, and gold cap raised, and re-done islands byt the end of 2009. If they do all of this then i will love disney again.

[ukebec]

I want to be thrilled silly, but I'm very cautious...I don't want to get my hopes up only to have them stomped by the big red shoe again.

[Maximvs]

Originally Posted by Chris

by the end of 2009

All I got to say is it better not be the END of 2009...

After reading the entire article, it did feel good ro see much of what was said - though I think talk (or text in this case) is cheap... too much for too little.

We still get to play the 'wait and see' game... lets just hope its not 'wait forever'

[Dan_OB]

Originally Posted by Maximvs

All I got to say is it better not be the END of 2009...

After reading the entire article, it did feel good ro see much of what was said - though I think talk (or text in this case) is cheap... too much for too little.

We still get to play the 'wait and see' game... lets just hope its not 'wait forever'

Lets all sing together:

"The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way! "

[Poison elf]

I find this sounding a bit more promising than anything we have heard for a very long time. I personally didn't find the lag issues my first priority, and would rather seen Notoriety and more adventures first on the list.
I did recognize this as the first issue by the overall census of players.

I do feel like already stated here, that we don't want to wait many many more months now to see some of this. Right now I see so many things wrong on the test server, it gives a strong fear that this may take tons of work in itself to be straighten out.

I do hope we begin to see some of these other things starting out with these more closer to now up coming months than later upcoming months.

[Edward Edgemenace]

Originally Posted by Poison elf

I personally didn't find the lag issues my first priority, and would rather seen Notoriety and more adventures first on the list.

While I don't directly disagree with the sentiment, I do disagree with the particulars. The more stuff they add to the game, the fewer people can play. If they don't take a step back and optimize their memory management (client side) then a whole lot of people will not be able to play, on one of these upcoming updates. I have to assume that they have all sorts of non-public information to help them estimate when one-or-the-other needs to be a priority.

Maybe some people buy a new computer every three months, always with the maximum amount of memory possible. I don't. I doubt that most players do. But if it is a problem they are calling their highest priority, you can bank that a lot of their customers are at minimum specs now, or close to it.

[Poison elf]

Originally Posted by Edward Edgemenace

While I don't directly disagree with the sentiment, I do disagree with the particulars. The more stuff they add to the game, the fewer people can play. If they don't take a step back and optimize their memory management (client side) then a whole lot of people will not be able to play, on one of these upcoming updates. I have to assume that they have all sorts of non-public information to help them estimate when one-or-the-other needs to be a priority.

Maybe some people buy a new computer every three months, always with the maximum amount of memory possible. I don't. I doubt that most players do. But if it is a problem they are calling their highest priority, you can bank that a lot of their customers are at minimum specs now, or close to it.

I think you didn't take that statement as I meant it. Personally I didn't find the lag issues at a high priority that many others did.

Stating this, I understand fully that the over all census was lag issues by players overall. I agree with steps taken towards what everyone most overall felt the biggest problem, though it was not my personal view. I do believe this the first step they should of took. I have argued for months that too much has been focused on small areas of the game and what many don't even find a important issue.

This being said, I hope to not wait endless months though to see what is also a high priority to many, such as continued content etc.

As for lag issues I have one of the poorest connections of probably most playing, barely a step above dial up. I run xp, and not a new hot computer. The lag issues are not always based off some of these such things. As for right now I believe vista users are having a much tougher time than me, due to vista conflicts and such on test right now. More than anything a bigger crowd than probably most that wanted a smoother running game, those that want to protect many of the problems/glitches = lag.

The fear I have more than anything is all the things I see in test right now dragging down anything else further and further down the line as these things are concentrated on.

Earlier today I found most things not addressed that many were original bugs from first build.
As it stands now SVS is bugged.
My items in inventory still down.
Guild has several twitches.
Compass ship tracking is off.
Quest tracking on and off.
Best I can tell from the non stop 5 minute crashes by some players, vista or perhaps another issue has many unstable.
Some texture problems in a few areas.
Still other smaller issues that may be ignored all together, maybe not.

Basically quite a few things that some could be a full blown out problem by itself.

So this being a long drawn out mess is what I am stating I don't hope to see, while waiting for the things I do find a higher priority myself.

Overall though I think this announcement a much better on the track announcement than we have heard for a long time.

[Edward Edgemenace]

Originally Posted by Poison elf

Overall though I think this announcement a much better on the track announcement than we have heard for a long time.

Absolutely! And sorry, yes, I did misunderstand what you were saying.

[Erich Uchiha]

I don't know about you guys but I almost cried with joy when I read this LOL

[Deadpool]

Originally Posted by indypirate

I don't know about you guys but I almost cried with joy when I read this LOL

About the same reaction... only I leaped and somehow ended up in a hospital bed...

Now I can finally get lost, literally, in Port Royal. It's my noob days all over again!!!
Also I like that tour idea... wonder how it will work out?