Pirates of the Caribbean Online is almost 5!
The unique environment that the life of a pirate in the Caribbean offers players is unrivalled by any other game. Centred on the hugely popular Pirates of the Caribbean movies we can enact parts of the film or create our own gaming experience in a pirately setting. Once the quests and levels are complete the game is self-perpetuating via PvP and SvS. In essence, as a gaming experience it is ideal.
Over the past 5 years, it has given players untold hours of enjoyment. Many thousands of players have invested their time and money in the game; friendships have been forged, fierce battles have been fought and memories made.
A social community has developed within the game, and, outside of the game -- in support and appreciation -- via fan sites and social networks.
Importantly, the social history of characters and guilds that has developed is one which the dedicated players of Pirates of the Caribbean Online will fight passionately to maintain.
A key part of maintaining that history is maintaining the environment in which we play.
To this end, amidst frustrations with technical issues arising from Pirates of the Caribbean Online, and the increasing draw of other games and experiences, a dedicated collection of players has come together to raise a single and co-ordinated voice for those concerns.
Please sign your name to this petition if you too are affected, and would like to see action on the following:
Whilst we are aware that each player plays on computers of differing technical specification and accesses the game via varying network speeds, server lag in the game itself is a huge concern. Regular maintenance downtime may solve this, it’s a method that’s been used in POTCO in the past, but for some reason this is no longer the case. Dedicated servers for certain activities may also help.
Every game has bugs and glitches, but we feel that certain things can be done to rectify problems with bugs and glitches and avoid the inevitable exploitation of them. These include better and longer testing on the test servers, a better report system and –importantly -- acknowledgement that the reports have been received and are being dealt with. This does not have to be a personal response but an updated ‘Known Issues’ section on the website would suffice.
- Hacking (game files or using third party programs)
For some it’s all too tempting to pull a thing apart to see how it works, this is no less the case with POTCO, and as people become more aware of how to manipulate software, and more third-party programmes are made with gaming in mind, our game is increasingly at risk. That said, this is tricky to monitor and we appreciate that, but some acknowledgement from Disney by way of blocking the popular programmes and more effective consequences for those who use hacks is desirable.
We all have to get in touch with POTCO at some time or another, but lately there is nobody there to take the enquiry. A three day week for Live Chat is not acceptable; we still pay the same subscription as we did when Live Chat was full-time. When we do get through for technical concerns the answers are often generic; pointing to things we have done wrong ourselves, or to some shortfall in our technical specifications. This advice often conflicts with the Pirates Online website advice regarding technical requirements for the game, and can conflict with our computer manufacturer’s advice. Updated technical advice is essential to avoid unnecessary damage to the equipment on which we play and ensure smooth gameplay.
Once we have quested, levelled and reached the endgames of PvP and SvS we really do depend on our own ability to entertain ourselves within the POTCO environment, but this doesn’t need to be the case. Even though writing new content should be high on the list of priority for Disney to maintain subscriptions, we appreciate that game development takes time.
That said, more can be done with what’s already in the game: looting could be made more fun by making more rare loot available to higher level pirates gives them the hope that they may get more than Rusty Sabres and Dingy Tops. Ship repair could be something that can be levelled, offering rewards in certain skills. Increase level cap, new islands, new skills and many other player derived suggestions could be used as well Dedicated servers for player organised events, with Disney support, and a mention in the news section of the website gives a little something back to players for their dedication, while they wait for new content.
These are just some of the concerns and suggestions for possible fixes set out by players, there will undoubtedly be many more suggestions but the issues can only be addressed with the help and work of Disney’s studio responsible for Pirates of the Caribbean Online.
Remember, all that’s required to support this petition is your pirate name, level and guild if you have one.
(I may send this idea in after thinking it out more) It could help save Pirates. Anything we try is worth it.
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