Avast There, MMORPGs...

Via Disney in uncharted waters with "Pirates" game:

SAN FRANCISCO (Hollywood Reporter) - Disney Online will offer the legions of fans who have flocked to see Captain Jack Sparrow in movie theaters a chance to star in an original video game adventure for free with "Pirates of the Caribbean Online."

The massively multiplayer online game, slated to launch in the spring in conjunction with the May 25 theatrical release of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," will bypass retail and be available via a free download at www.PiratesOnline.com.

The game takes place in an alternate universe, with a new story arc that introduces Jolly Roger as a nemesis. Players must help Sparrow get his crew back together to find the Black Pearl and restore order. The story line will span hundreds of hours of gameplay, and Disney Online will launch free expansions for the game every two to three months...

Intriguing. I don't see how this could be a MMORPG and a themed game with a goal such as this, though. It seems like something is missing. Heading over to PiratesOnline, and then checking out what they had to say about the game, it would seem that everyone gets to be a captain.

Does that mean NPCs will play the crew? It doesn't seem that way, so not everyone gets to be Captain (get back to work, you polywogs!) Does it mean that this is a Player Killer game? It would have to be if it is a MMORPG, I would think.

The idea of pirates running around slicing each other's throats for some booty just doesn't seem... well... very Disney. I'd almost expect The Little Mermaid to pop out in the middle of this.

Still, I haven't heard of anything Disney that walked the plank. We'll see.