If you have access to the Test server, you can now check out all the new ways to customize your Pirate. Change your clothes, get a crazy new hairstyle and ink a tattoo to go with it. Next stop - the jewelry shop! Pick up a new nose ring and /dance your way through the streets of Tortuga...you know you're lookin' good.

Those players who participated in the Pirates Online Beta Test (phase 1 or 2) automatically have access to the Test server and can log in by clicking on the Pirates Online Test Launcher icon located on their desktop. If you have access, but still need to download the Test Launcher, please do so by using the appropriate link below.

For PC, please click here.

For Mac, please click here.

While we are not currently sending out any additional invitations to play on the Test server, we will be doing so in the near future, so stay tuned!

We are really excited about our new TV commercial, which began airing on January 16. You can catch it on MTV, Comedy Central, CW, WWE, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Fox Kids. Haven't seen it yet? Watch it here now!

Game Industry News has announced their Game of the Year nominees, and Pirates of the Caribbean Online has been nominated as a finalist in the "Best Online Only Game" category! Voting is now open, so if you love Pirates Online as much as we do, be sure to log on to: www.GameIndustry.com and cast your vote! You can select Pirates of the Caribbean Online from the "Best Online Only Game" drop-down menu. In addition, you can nominate it for "Overall Game of the Year" by typing it in the space provided underneath that category (towards the bottom of the page).

As part of the Avatar Customization update in February, we will also be adding our first round of emotes to Pirates Online. Emotes give you a whole new means of communicating in the game by allowing your Pirate to do a variety of actions including:

    -    Dance
    -    Laugh
    -    Clap
    -    Celebrate

Check out the Current News page for a sample animation of the new emotes!

Ready to get your Pirate inked up and iced out? Take a look at the brand-new tattoo parlors, jewelry stores, and tailor shops coming to Pirates Online in February!

We've put together a boatload of art assets -- including character images, logos, background textures, buttons, headers, and tons more to help you create your very own Pirates Online Fan Site! What are you waiting for? Download the Fan Kit now and get started!

We'll be introducing brand-new coats inspired by members of the Brethren Court in February's customization update! Here's a sneak peek at three of the coats we'll be releasing, along with a picture of the Pirate Lord who inspired them!

Some players were finding it difficult to remember which townsperson they needed to return to when completing a Quest. In order to help alleviate some of this confusion, we've made some enhancements to the Quest tracking system. Now, when you are in the "return to townsperson" stage of completing a Quest, simply follow the ray of light and the yellow arrow at your feet to return to your townsperson.

Just a reminder...you can now purchase Game Passes for Pirates of the Caribbean Online at participating Target retailers nationwide. You can purchase a 30-Day Game Pass for $9.95 or a 90-Day Game Pass for $24.95. These make great gifts for all the Pirates in your life!

Send us up to three reasons why you think Pirates are more lovable than Ninjas and you could win a Sony Mylo! Visit the Contest Page for all the details.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the "Aces Need Faces" Blackjack Contest.
Click here to view the 10 lucky winners of an 8GB iPod Touch. Congratulations to all of them!

Thank you for continuing to send us your questions and comments - we are doing our best to answer as many of them as we can, as quickly as possible.

From Matt:
Q: I am trying to buy a war frigate, but I need more gold. What are some quick and easy ways to get the gold I need?

A: One of the best ways is befriending someone with a War Galleon. War Galleons can hold the most cargo (16 crates), thus will yield the most gold when you return to port.

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It's important to keep yourself properly energized for those late night Pirates Online playing sessions. Nothing keeps a Pirate sharp like a delicious snack of Peanut Butter Cannonballs!

What you'll need:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup rice crispy cereal
1/4 cup coconut (or crushed candy)

Directions:

1. Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and cereal.
2. Roll that mixture into balls.
3. Roll the balls in the coconut (or crushed candy of your choice.)
4. Place them in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or longer.
5. Enjoy!

Click here to read the latest release notes.