Kyle's+MMORPG+Page

Well, seeing as Star Wars Galaxies didn't work on my computer I decided to go with something almost the opposite of space - Sea. Yes, thats right, I traded in my lightsaber for some cold hard steel. For those of you who don't know Luke skywalker had a cousin; Swashbuckling Luke Seawalker. Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online - for those ages ten and above (Rated E for Alcohol Reference and simulated gaming violence). Lets spice up the teenage world of online pirates and add a 22 year old to the mix. Drink up me hearties Yo Ho!

LUKE SEAWALKER Why wouldn't Luke Seawalker be an acceptable name -- Currently Pending Disney's Approval. A few customizable options create a game in which a whole bunch of online gamers, who all look very similar, run around and interact with the characters from the movie and newly created villains and enemies.

Pirates of the Caribbean Online encompasses most of the favorite characters from the Pirates movies(A very pixelated Orlando Bloom (william), Elizabeth Swan and of course Jack Sparrow). I've met all three in the short amount of time I've spent wandering the Port Royal island collecting money and figuring out the games interface. After getting enough money I've been able to hitch rides and sail between locations from the movie (Tortuga, Port Royal, Devil's Island). But the enemy of this online story is a new one, that isn't apart of any of the Pirates movies. Upon his introduction I couldn't help but laugh, I thought my characters name was ridiculous, but the enemy that is supposed to strike fear into the online players is Captain Jolly Rogers. Lol.

Unfortunately, leveling up past level 2 would require monthly access fees so I've chosen to just explore the world and be involved as a "Basic Member" - This kind of hinders my progress in following the story because i am constantly killed off by the Navy guards and the cursed skeletons. Today I was defeated by a Navy guard and i was "knocked out". Luckily my mate Tobias Edgeparr revived me just in time ---enter alcohol reference --- as he poured what appeared to rum over my head. As I thanked the Level 11 pirate and asked how long he'd been playing to get to level 11 he said "only a couple weeks because his mom limits his computer time". Wanting to just have a little fun I told him my mom lets me play all the time as long as i get good grades. He said he's a 6th grader at Highland Elementary in Elgin Il and he then asked where I go. Not wanting to feel very awkward telling him I'm a 22 year old college student I told him I was in like 8th grade and I should probably get going cause Pokemon was on. How was I supposed to know With a name like Tobias that the level 11 pirate was only 12. I feel pretty weird interacting with 12 year olds -- look where you'll be in 10 years kid... the same place. haha.

A fellow level one pirate - Gerrard Seabellows - rejected my invitation to form a pirate friendship and join my crew. I felt kind of insulted that the level one player wouldn't want to team up with my newfound level 2 expertise. Upon requesting to form a friendship I came across a very ridiculous message; Disney made sure to provide a disclaimer to the pending request to become friends, saying no actual friendship anywhere but in the game itself shall be formed. They actually have to say that?? I guess it goes along with McDonalds needing to post "caution Hot Coffee" on their coffee cups. No, Really? Bummer!! I really thought when I friend-ed another pirate it then meant we would meet up and have a beer at the terrace on Fridays. Thanks for ruining my fun Disney.

It was another big milestone in Pirates of the Carribean online - I have gathered enough gold and purchased my own ship. Due to the fact that my pirates name is Luke Seawalker I had to name the "Skallywag Destroyer" (get it, star wars =seawalker, star destroyer = Skallywag Destroyer . I'm a star wars fanatic) Together with my new pirate crew members we gathered a ton of plunder after sinking numerous Navy and other Pirate's ships. I seemed to fall into the role of manning a gun (due to my low level status) and was subjected to the barking of orders of whoever too the wheel of the ship. But overall my ability in using a gun has approved and I've accumulated a relatively large amount of wealth. During combat responses are usually quick, one-touch pre-worded orders or acknowledgments such as "Defend Starboard!", and the occasional celebratory "arrrrr!".



I have met an interesting character named Bartholomew Daggerprat. A level 12 pirate that is very interesting. Amidst his terrible spelling and grammar is the confidence and ego of a professional gamer. From the start he suggested I follow him and sail the high seas. This was the first person to approach me and ask to join him in his quest to destroy and earn money. (All the previous times I had set sail or walked around and interacted I was the one initiating contact and more often than not met with a simple "no thank you" when I asked them to be my friend and my crew). But this Bartholomew is a unique character. While he is a higher level than me he doesn't seem to know what he is doing - at times just running around telling me to follow him and then asking me if he could tell me something. Everytime he would ask if he could tell me something it would be along the lines of "follow me and you'll be rich". So interested in a little bit more variety in my Pirates experience I sold my ship and set sail with him



I couldn't help but indulge this kids idea of him taking me on as his "mate" and his apprentice.... Bartholomew, after I agreed to follow him and listen to his great wisdom, decided to give me a overview of the game and how weapons work. Fully aware of how the game works and what the difference between my sword and my gun is, I continued to go along with it. He told me we are a "sometimes sword fighting and sometimes gun fighting crew" to which I joking responded "aye aye captain!". He then told me that he had two guns and that someday I would have two guns someday as well. So in the eyes of Bartholomew the status of having 2 guns was pretty important but again I couldn't help but laugh and just answer with one of the pre-worded responses, hoping to make him believe I was truly in a submissive role and completely immersed in the game. I answered "may a stiff wind be at our backs, the sun on our faces and our cannons fire true " to which he responded that I would someday be as great as him. I have been laughing ever since I met this character and every single conversation with him has been very humorous to me and I'm sure very real and intense to him.



I continued to follow this Bartholomew for a while. We sunk ships left and right.... Soon i grew sick of this kid so I said my mom was making me leave and I ditched. He followed me for a bit, asking why I was leaving his crew and walking away from "what was rightfully up for taking" - whatever that means. Fully wierd-ed out by this kid I logged off and deleted him from my "friends". Apparently this kid didn't read Disney;s disclaimer and realize we aren't really anything but friends in the game.

Having now collected a large amount of wealth what else is there to do?....... Gamble it away that's right! Poker at Tortuga with a bunch of Pirates wasn't too bad, despite the cheating and the excessive use of arrrgh, and matey it was entertaining. I don't know how the pirates are cheating ---i have the option to swap out cards if i have other ones but i don't know where to get them.... other players said I just have to look in the right places.

Spent a day on Tortuga island killing bats and alligators. Mildly entertaining...very repetitive. But good news, you are ewarded with loot when you slay enemies and turns out alligators have a playing card or too in their loot pouch. Probably going to keep killing alligators to stock up on my collection of playing cards so I can win back some of the money I was cheated out of yesterday. What goes around comes around. Time for some payback! All that searching for cards had a great impact on my skill with a sword! Leveled up with my sword! Two interesting things I found: 1) you can't shoot other pirates/people unless they're cursed (pirate code) and 2) Never throw grenades at your own feet (an obvious hint i received today --- yes just in case anyone was wondering, just like in real life, in Pirates Online throwing grenades at your own feet is also not a good/safe idea)