Pre-Release News
The following are POTCO's pre-release news articles.
Contents
Press Releases
Follow-up to Disney's Toontown Online Will Feature Interactive Adventures Inspired by the Popular Pirates Theme Park Attraction and Franchise
*North Hollywood, Calif. -April 26, 2005
Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group, is developing a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the popular theme park attraction and franchise "Pirates of the Caribbean." The game is slated to debut in summer 2006, coinciding with the theatrical premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
"We've learned through our experience with Toontown that the market for massively multiplayer online role-playing games can indeed reach beyond traditional gamers," stated Ken Goldstein, EVP and managing director, Disney Online. "Pirates of the Caribbean is the perfect franchise for our second commercial effort in this arena. Fans of the movies and theme park attraction will be able to live their own unfolding pirate adventure through the game, including searching for lost treasures and battling numerous enemies on land and at sea."
Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, added, "This is a great way for game enthusiasts to experience the fun and excitement of playing the role of a pirate while competing against a wide variety of opponents in a great adventure. This game captures the same swashbuckling sense of humor, spirit and action that moviegoers loved in the first 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film, and which will continue with the next installment of the highly anticipated sequel in summer 2006. Disney Online has created a really entertaining and challenging game that will appeal to the adventurer in all of us."
The game is being designed by the Walt Disney Internet Group's acclaimed VR Studio as a world of high seas action and adventure where players will personalize their own pirate character and organize with other players to form a pirate crew. Players will then embark on swashbuckling missions to battle both each other and the evil, undead pirates of the high seas in an effort to become the Caribbean's most legendary pirate. Access to the game will be available directly online and players will pay a subscription fee for the service.
Buena Vista Games (BVG), the videogame arm of The Walt Disney Company, will release additional titles based on "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" for the PSP™ portable entertainment system and Nintendo DS™ in conjunction with the movie launch.
- Pirates of the Caribbean Online (PC) as found on GameSpy
Explore a world of high seas action and adventure in this online adventure based on the Disneyland ride and motion picture franchise. Players can personalize their own pirate character and organize with other players to form a pirate crew. Embark on swashbuckling missions to battle both each other and the evil, undead pirates of the high seas in an effort to become the Caribbean's most legendary pirate.
DISNEY ONLINE’S PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE GAME UNVEILED AT E3 2006
Upcoming Game Based on Popular Film Franchise Allows Players to Interact with Movie Characters and Live the Legend
In-Depth Game Web Site Debuts at PiratesLegend.com </center>
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – May 10, 2006 – Disney Online is unveiling the first images and a playable version of the never-before-seen Pirates of the Caribbean Online game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) on May 10-12th in booth #1024, South Hall. Simultaneous to the game’s unveiling at E3, a new promotional Web site will debut at www.pirateslegend.com. The massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), slated for release in 2007, is based on the popular film franchise and will allow players to experience the world captured on screen. In the game, players will interact with Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann and other characters made popular in the movie franchise, as they embark on exciting quests in search of treasure and notoriety.
"The unique, expansive world of Pirates of the Caribbean is in many ways ideally suited for an MMO," stated Mike Goslin, vice president, Virtual Reality Studio for Disney Online. "Our development team is having tremendous fun creating an immersive adventure based on these memorable characters, exotic locales, and epic mythology. We have challenged ourselves to create a game that gamers will enjoy but also appeals to a broad audience."
Capturing the high seas and swashbuckling action found in both "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" and the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest," players embark on quests for adventure and treasure in an effort to become the Caribbean’s most legendary pirate. Featuring hundreds of customization options, players create and customize their own pirate, form a crew, and set sail on the high seas. Along the way they will interact with and learn skills from the notorious Jack Sparrow, forge alliances with thousands of other players, hunt for buried treasure on uncharted isles, battle evil undead forces and face off against numerous enemies on land and sea.
"E3 presents an exciting opportunity for us to introduce Pirates of the Caribbean Online to fans of both the film franchise and MMO games," stated Steve Parkis, vice president of Premium Products for Disney Online. "We’re looking forward to seeing fans first-hand reactions as they ‘live the legend’ at E3."
Pirates of the Caribbean Online is in development by Disney Online’s VR Studio, creators of the critically acclaimed Disney’s Toontown Online, the industry’s first MMORPG designed for kids and families. The game is being developed to appeal to a broad audience from teens to adults and will be available for a monthly subscription fee. Pirates of the Caribbean Online will be published by Disney Online Premium Products. Additional game information and exclusive game updates can be found at www.pirateslegend.com.
About Disney Online Disney Online (www.disney.com) produces the number one kids' entertainment and family community destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1995, Disney.com is designed to reflect the vision of an "online theme park," providing an interactive gateway to all of the company's many Disney-branded Internet initiatives. Popular Disney Online places to visit include Disney Channel (www.DisneyChannel.com), Playhouse Disney (www.PlayhouseDisney.com), Disney Shopping (www.disneyshopping.com), Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (www.disneydestinations.com) Walt Disney Pictures (www.disneypictures.com), Disney DVD & Video (www.disneyvideos.com) and Radio Disney (www.radiodisney.com).
Among the many magical "neighborhoods" found at www.Disney.com is the fun-filled Games area (www.disney.com/games), which includes Disney’s Toontown Online(www.toontown.com), the first 3D massively multiplayer online role playing game for kids and families, and Disney's Blast (www.disneyblast.com), a premium subscription service for kids ages 5-9. Disney Online also produces FamilyFun.com (www.familyfun.com), the premier online family resource for "great ideas, practical advice, and fun stuff to do" as well as Movies.com (www.movies.com), a leading site that provides a broad array of reviews and information to help movie fans "get movie night right." Disney Online is a part of the Walt Disney Internet Group, which provides integrated strategic and operational services for Internet, broadband, and mobile initiatives of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).
May, 2006: Dead men tell no tales...
Welcome to the new Web site for Pirates of the Caribbean Online! Check out the latest screen shots, concept art, game overview, and the first trailer for the game. Make sure to register for e-mail updates and a chance to become a beta tester!
In the coming weeks, we'll unveil photos, video, and additional info from the E3 game conference. We're constantly working on the game and will use this site and the registered e-mail list to keep everyone updated.
June, 2006: Unfurled at E3...
Amidst all the excitement (and chaos) of this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), our team unveiled the first images and playable version of the never-before-seen Pirates of the Caribbean Online game. If you’ve never been to E3, it's a complete madhouse, full of die-hard gamers and press, eagerly digesting all the latest in gaming. We setup the game demo in the center of the expo (eye of the storm), along with some cool props from the latest film (Dead Man’s Chest). During the show, we took tons of press and other attendees through the first game trailer and demo, which covered an early look at the create-a-pirate system, island exploration, along with land and sea battles.
While this was just a small taste of the game, the response was really strong:
"The game is scheduled for a 2007 release, and is already shaping up to be a good, solid, fun title with lots of creatures, adventures, and fun to make it worthwhile."
GameZone.com
"Pirates of the Caribbean Online looks to be a very promising MMO by Disney Interactive. Based on the popular ride and movie franchise, you play as your own custom-made pirate." IGN.com
"For now, just know that Pirates of the Caribbean Online has great potential to be a fun game, with lots of customization, and fulfill one's dream of being a captain of a pirate ship." Just-RPG.com
"Overall, Pirates of the Caribbean seems to be shaping up like a great title. Hardcore World of Warcraft raiders might not like it, but with the license and the broad-appeal, in one year we might be seeing a new king in the MMORPG realm." OGaming.com/ Allakhazam
While we're exhausted from all the hard work that went into E3, we're really excited and energized by the response. Please check out some of the other assets that we released during E3, including concept art images, screenshots and a Q&A with Mike Goslin, head of the VR studio.
July, 2006
An early look inside the game. . .
Steve and Mike, the 'captains' of our Pirates Online adventure, take some time out at E3 to give you an exclusive sneak peek at the game so far. Click here to have a look inside!
Pirates of the Caribbean Online has a new home
PiratesOnline.com! While we will continue to redirect traffic from PiratesLegend.com, we will now use PiratesOnline.com as our base of rogue activities.
New film opened nationwide July 7th!
The epic misadventures of Captain Jack continue... The day we've all been eagerly anticipating finally arrived! The second action-packed installment of the Pirate's film franchise, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," hit theaters nationwide July 7, 2006.
Check out the official movie site to view the latest trailer, behind-the-scenes pictures, and meet the cast and crew!
Let's Hear from You...
Be sure to check out the latest section of the site where you can submit comments and questions for the Pirates of the Caribbean Online crew!
August, 2006
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" Makes Waves
(Not sure if you heard, but...) The epic misadventures of Captain Jack continue: From London to Los Angeles, millions of Pirates' fans flocked to theaters worldwide to see "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and catch the latest update to the legend of Jack Sparrow and his notorious crew. Delivering even more action, adventure, and humor than the first installment, the latest film reached a record audience and set the stage for yet another epic adventure.
In our latest video insider, we'll take you to the film's premiere and give you an inside look at the film and what the actors and other celebrities think of their lives as Pirates (regardless of if they actually appeared in the film). Click here for Video Insider #2.
A View from the Crow's Nest
Take out your spyglass for a peek into the game... Straight from the big screen, we're weaving the locales and film characters deep into the storyline, allowing you to create your own adventure alongside the legendary characters and landscape seen on-screen.
In addition to encountering Captain Jack and the film's other heroes and villains, you'll also find yourself immersed into the world itself: exploring fog-shrouded swamps, taking refuge in Pirate-infested Tortuga, and engaging in a little trickery in the Navy-held settlement of Port Royal -- just to name a few.
This world and the environments themselves will be rich and complex, holding limitless adventure. Take an early look at a couple of the environments and landscapes we're working on in our latest update to the Concept Art and Screenshot sections of the Web site.
The Adventures of Captain Aviv
It's a pirate's life for this infamous Captain: Oren Aviv, President of Production for Walt Disney Pictures and the helmsman of the treasured "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise. Join us as we interview him about the record-breaking "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and how it ties into the game, including characters, storylines, and thematic elements. Click here for the Q&A.
Press Contacts:
Brandy Phillips
Walt Disney Internet Group
(818) 623-3764
Stacey Clement
360 Public Relations
(617) 585-5774
