Disney has just released it's new free MMORPG called Pirates of the Caribbean Online.  I haven't got a chance to check it out, but it apparently has a lot of references to the movie.  I'm suprised they went with the free model, but it's not all hugs and kisses.  The free version is also the "basic" version.  $10 a month will get you everything.  Here are some of the features:

• Create your own Pirate character - Choose from millions of combinations to fully customize your character (shapes, colors, clothing, names, etc.)!
• Set sail on your own Pirate ship - Purchase and captain your own ship. Recruit your crew and set sail for the adventure of a lifetime.
• Quest for adventure and treasure - Embark on ship and land-based missions using secret maps to locate buried treasure. Explore lush jungles, volcanic caves, and vast tropical islands. Keep your wits about you though, as traps, ambushes, and double-crosses are an everyday occurrence when keeping company with pirates.
• Use advanced weaponry - Jump into battle with a variety of weapons, each requiring a unique set of skills to master. Improve your reputation as a fighter to be reckoned with and unlock more powerful weapons.
• Become a legend - Master a variety of skills, including swords, daggers, cannons, and sailing to become the most notorious pirate in the world.
• Work your Voodoo Magic - Voodoo magic is used to heal, travel, cheat in games, and cast curses on enemies.
• Get some Booty - Earn extra loot playing poker and blackjack.
• Build a notorious Band or Guild - Join together with others for expanded adventures and added power. Form your own Band of Pirates for a quick battle or join a Guild for longer term strategy.
• Grow your wealth with money and rare items - Hunt for buried treasure including gold, precious gems, and mysterious artifacts.

It also has PvP modes, which includes Team Battle and Mayhem.  It looks like Mayhem is just a deathmatch mode, and Team Battle is just team deathmatch. 

I've seen several bloggers comment on how this game has went largely unnoticed.  It's really a shame, but there are so many MMORPG's coming out these days, that news sites usually focus on those that are the most anticipated or have the most hype.  A family-safe MMORPG from Disney isn't going to get much blogger media in my opinion, because that's just not what our readers are looking for...most likely.  Maybe some pirate fans out there will check out this game and post some reviews soon. 

Freeciv 2.1.0 has been released after 650 days of development.  Freeciv is a free open-source empire-building strategy game inspired by the history of human civilization. The game commences in prehistory and your mission is to lead your tribe from the stone age to the space age.  It runs on Linux, Windows, and Mac OSX.  Changes since 2.09 include:

• Significantly improved features for modmakers.
• New default tileset: Amplio.
• Hex-2 overhead hexagonal tileset.
• Flags rendered from SVG vector images.
• High-res building and wonder icons plus brand new tech icon set.
• New city tab on main map.
• City outlines.
• Added lua as scripting language. New tutorial scenario.
• Many new nations, flags and nation information and options.
• New /surrender command to yield in multiplayer games.
• Score now shown in player dialog.
• Reputation removed from the game.
• New borders rules. Borders are static, fortresses expand borders and cities expand more borders with city size growth.
• New diplomacy rules. Neutral state replaced with Armistice. You now start in War state, and cannot cross borders with military units except in War or Alliance states.
• SDL client much improved and usable.
• GTK+ 1.2 clients removed.
• Votes need over 50% of votes to pass. Voting is now only during game.
• First player to join becomes game organizer and sets all options.
• Many AI changes. Improved AI diplomacy. Novice AI easier to beat.
• Palace has a production bonus of +75% under Despotism and +50% under Monarchy.
• New animated cursors.
• Support for GGZ Gaming Zone.
• Multiple units may be moved at once as a battlegroup.
• Built-in theme support. GTK+ and SDL clients shipped with unique Freeciv themes.
• As usual, tons of changes under the hood.

Freeciv is one of the better, more refined open-source games on the market.  If you need a game with low system requirements or love strategy games, you may consider Freeciv.   It also might be a good history teaching tool for children to have fun and learn at the same time. 

Lord of the Rings Online has won the Golden Joystick PC Game of the Year Award (sponsored by PC Gamer).  What does this mean?  Well, basically that more gamers who play LOTRO voted in the Golden Joystick awards than gamers from other games.   Not to mention the fact that these awards are a little confusing with WoW: Burning Crusade winning "Online Game of the Year" (difference?).  One strange thing to me was the fact that they not only promoted the story on the home page, but also asked you to digg it.  This is something I've always thought the smaller MMORPG's should do, but just never do.  I guess they are trying to look professional, but Digg can be a powerful way to get the message out. 

LOTRO has had a lot of updates lately, and I think it's gaining steam.  A lot of MMO's do after about a year, because that's the point where most work out a lot of the bugs.  Before then, it's hit and miss, but don't be suprised if you log in one day and something is missing from your inventory because of a "bug".  Anyway, LOTRO just added over 100 new quests, a new 12-player raid, two new areas in Middle-earth and introduced the player housing system.  Before that, book 10 added new reputation and bartering systems, playing as monsters, and enhanced the user interface. 

Right now, you can play The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar for 7 days for free and if you refer a friend, you can get 30 days free added to your account through their referral program. 

Limax (forum name) on Duels.com has created a Facebook application so that now you can challenge all your friends directly from the popular social media site.   From his Facebook application site, here are a few features, and more about upcoming features to this application:

- Stats are automatically updated every 30min, you don't need to go to the application page to update your stats anymore.
- You can now add several characters to your profile (up to 5).
- I added a 'Invite friends' page, so that you can invite your friends (please do :))

Next updates I'll try to do:
- Display more stats (like badges)
- Display top 10 players on the application page
- Display list of items and link to buy them ingame
These updates will probably need Duels' team to update their widgets. I hope they'll agree to do this.

Hopefully, Duels will work with him on making this application better.  Thanks for taking the iniative to create this Limax. 

Duels Facebook Application

Duels forum discussion about the app

Gamecron's Duels Walkthrough and Tips

GoGamer.com is giving you 10% off all in-stock PC games with the code 10PC entered at checkout.  This puts Clive Barker's Jericho released yesterday and Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts at only $35.99.   Age of Empires III: Dynasties would only be $26.99.  They have loads of other games available, as well as many below $20. 

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