While we can't immediately offer our players a major story update, we do still want to move the story ahead; so we’re going to work on doing it in smaller, bite-sized chunks. The first episode involves our good friend Captain Avery asking for yet more assistance, this time in an Ambassadorial role. Skull Island is on the cusp of becoming a true, legitimate republic. Your exploits have helped other major powers realize that Skull Island should not be ignored; and Avery is positively giddy at the prospect of wealth and power. Navigate your way through the needy Ambassadors’ whims, and perhaps you can help Avery succeed with something he’s been trying to realize for FIVE LONG YEARS.

Another thing we want to concentrate on is growing Pirate101 a little WIDER, with more side systems. We have PvP, we have the pets system, but we want to give you some more things to do that take more than a few days to complete (like books). We also think Pirate101 should be more about sailing on your ship, so we want to give you more reasons to hoist your sails and wave goodbye to the landlubbers.

Our first foray into this is going to be a free-for-all practice ship-to-ship combat area. We’re doing step one, which is giving you some space to fight amongst yourselves (and some badges for bragging rights). If this is popular, fun, and something a lot of you enjoy, we’ll take more steps. Currently, we’re talking about expanding this in future updates, by making different modes, doing some tweaks and rebalancing ship combat in general; and of course building in a ranking/match-making system like PvP. If blowing each other up is not really everyone’s thing, we’ve got plenty of other great ideas and plans for fun Pirate-y things for you to do in the future as well!

We also want to make your lives on land a little better too. We believe that we can help make it easier to get your crew together. We’re going to bring the Team-Up Kiosk to Pirate101 from Wizard101, to help you find aid on your more challenging adventures. If you’re a friendly type of Pirate, there will be new badges for you to earn here as well.

Do you ever just want your companions to take a little more responsibility in battle? Well, we’ll give you the option to make them do just that – with Companion Auto-Fight. While we think you’ll still want to be at the helm for tricky fights, this may make your run-of-the-mill combat a little less stressful.

Of course, we’ll be celebrating two of our favorite Holidays soon as well, so there will be awesome new booty, such as:

New ways to ride around in style

Even better birthday loot

Some spooky new ways to get in the Halloween spirit

Celebrations spread far and wide

I’m not spilling every bean, so there are some extra surprises in store not mentioned here. Look for a new Test Realm coming soon!

We’re excited to see where the wind lanes take us in the next year, and we hope you’re along for the ride. The breeze is changing, and I must travel on, but until next time, my Pirate friends, may the wind lift your sails and your course stay true.

With Fire,

Leah "Professor Falmea" Ruben

Senior Producer of MMO Content