Darkmoor? Wizard101 or Pirate101?

A few weeks ago JTC posted this concept photo while explaining creating worlds.

 

While playing Pirate101 in one of the stormgates you can see a world that looks just like the top tower in the photo above:

Question is, will we see Darkmoor in Wizard101 first, or Pirate101? It is the home world of Witchdoctor Vadima. Its most likely going to be a dark/black magic world. Is this where Morganthe will go after we collected the sword from Avalon, or will we go to Darkmoor for a piece of the map for El dorado? So many possibilites. It looks like a great world! :)

What is your opinion?

~Johnny



Johnny the Witchdoctor - Beta Pictures

Hey all! Since the NDA has been lifted, I can share some pictures of my Witchdoctor with you all!
Below are a few pics I collected throughout my files to share. They are really cool, and I hope you all enjoy the game once you get to play it! Its awesome! Enjoy!

El Toro is one of the companions in Pirate101. He is the masked hero of Santo Pollo.

His backstory is very interesting and you will enjoy it when you reach it. :)

You can see the flag logo I chose for my Witchdoctor. Its suppose to resemble the slytherin school in Harry Potter! I named my ship "Black Magic". That is currently my third ship in the game. There are many different types and varieties of add ons you can place on your ship.

Traveling in the Skyways is very interesting. Instead of using magical spiral doors like in Wiz, you have to travel with your ship. Stormgates are the passages that bring you to other worlds. Its one of the most beautiful scenes in Pirate101 in my opinion. The colors go well and you can see all of the worlds in the background floating around.

Many worlds of the Spiral when traveling through the Skull Island Stormgate. (Celestia, Skull Island, Cool Ranch, Marleybone)

Once Pirate101 is released live, I will be starting an adventure on my witchdoctor and will be sharing my adventure through the Spiral with all of my viewers! Its going to be a blast so I hope you all enjoy! See you in the Spiral finally pirates! :)

~Johnny



Pirate101 News Flash

~Pirate101 News~

YARRR! News about Pirate101 is everywhere! Here are some interesting articles you should take a peek at if you wanna be a pirate!

-Massively's first impression of Pirate101

"Well, after trying out new kids on the block Pirate101, I can say that it might even dwarf the success of its predecessor."

 "KingsIsle can count Pirate101 as a huge step forward. One that will make a lot of money, I'm sure."

"I don't want to suggest there is nothing unique about Pirate101 or that I would prefer all second games to feel exactly like first games, but some follow-up titles feel like copies of earlier designs while others feel like a familiar extension to a universe. Pirate101 easily falls into the latter category."

"Pirate101 has taken that card-based combat and tossed it on its head. In Pirates101, you find yourself in control of a group of NPC characters who combat enemies on a sort of checkerboard. It's a system that is very easy to understand, much like Wizard101's card system, but it's also easy to become obsessed with."

"Overall, Pirate101 feels both welcoming and completely alien. The new combat will provide tons and tons of fresh gameplay. If linear questing with a strong story backbone is your thing, you'll surely find plenty to do as well."

-MMORPG Lots of Swashbuckling Fun

"There is a lot to like in Pirate 101 and a lot that will be familiar to players who’ve tried Wizard 101. But that’s not a prerequisite by any stretch. Pirate 101 stands very well on its own and will give players of all ages a lot to do."

"The music fits the setting too. It’s big and epic and nautical, if that makes sense. Think “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and you get the general idea. But what makes it even more interesting is that you definitely hear shades of the Wizard 101 music embedded in the Pirate 101 music as well. For players who’ve experienced W101, it’s fun to hear."

~Also some Pirate101 fansites have written some cool articles you should check out with some epic info on certain themes in the game.

Housing Preview by Paige Moonshade: http://www.paigemoonshade.com/2012/08/yohoho-me-mateys-say-ye-want-to-own.html

Combat Preview by Jester: http://pirate101.centralforums.com/

Companion Preview by Ditto Monster: http://dittomonster.com/2012/08/15/companions-in-pirate101/

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Lots of great information in all of these articles! Sharpen your swords, clean out your pistols and read some of the information above and you will be ready to enter the world of Pirate101!

-Johnny



Locked Out Winners!

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    First I want to say, thank you to everyone who entered the contest and Raffle! I had an awesome time hosting these, and the entries were really cool! I am going to post the 10 winners entries for everyone to view! Emails have been sent out to the winners. Thank you everyone for joining again!

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Key created by "Aaron"

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Key created by "Alexandra Stormbringer"

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Key created by "Andrew"

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Key created by "Annie"

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Key created by "Becky"

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Key created by "Blaze"

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Key created by "Evan"

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Key created by "Michelle"

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Key created by "Rocks"

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Key created by "Teodor"

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Congratulations to the winners of the Locked out contest and the Raffle!

Thank you everyone for joining in on the fun!

~Johnny

Contests ahead pirates!

Locked out!

    See through that keyhole? The only thing stopping you from entering the world of Pirate101 is a locked door! There are many types and looks for keys! What does your dream Pirate101 beta key look like? Draw up a picture of what you think your Pirate101 beta key looks like. After you are finished, send your entry to johnnycentral1@cox.net! (If you are under the age of 13, please ask your parents or guardians permission before sending me an email!) I will then choose 10 winners for this contest! Each of the winners will recieve a beta key to enter the world of Pirate101! Woot woot, sounds awesome right? So sharpen your blades, clean out your pistols, and get ready for an adventure of a life time!

Quick run down on the above:

-  Hand Draw a picture of your "dream" pirate101 beta key. What does it look like? (skeleton? jewels, gold silver? etc)

- After you are finished take a picture of it and send it to johnnycentral1@cox.net! Name the email "Dream Beta key"

-10 winners will be chosen on Friday, August 17th.

- The winners will recieve a Pirate101 beta key and your drawings will be up on the site.

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For another way to win a beta key, check out the "contest" tab at the top of the site. There will be a rafflecoptor there that is giving away 15 beta keys! Complete the tasks the rafflecopter asks and you will have 1 entry per task! Goodluck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Jeff Toney, Principal Artist for Kingsisle Entertainment!

    Hey everyone! Special surprise today! I got to interview the man incharge of creating all of the awesome doodles you see above and everywhere in Wizard101 (and the famous abracadoodle comic)! Yes the man, the myth, the legend, Jeff Toney! I got to pick his brain and ask him some questions that I was curious about and wanted to share it with you my viewers and the W101/P101 community! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did! Thanks Jeff for letting me interview you and everyone at Kingsisle! Now without further ado...

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1. When did you first know you wanted to start a career in Art and Design?

When I drew my first picture and it got a great reaction from my classmates. I remember in 4th Grade drawing these very detailed combat scenes of stick figures fighting each other and everyone seemed to love it. Ever since then, I have found that when I make a good piece of art that really speaks to people, it's the greatest feeling in the world.

2. When did you first start working at KingsIsle Entertainment?

Right from the start! I was employee number 8. I remember talking to Josef and Todd about their idea to do a card-based combat MMO set in a wizard world and immediately got interested in all the possibilities it could create. I am happy that it has become so successful!

3. Your job title is a "Principal Artist" What exactly is that, and what do you do?
I wanted to continue to do artwork instead of managing artists, so I was recognized as a Principal Artist as a way to facilitate this. I go from project to project and help with the vision where I am needed for our multiple titles. It is a very fun job to have and I am lucky to have it!

4. All of the fans LOVE your Abracadoodle art. Wizard101 would be so different if it never was created. The little doodles we see all over the site and in game on the maps are great! What exactly inspired you to do these? Did you plan to or did it just come out of nowhere?
Kids like to draw little doodles when they get bored in class, even in a Wizard school like Wizard101. I figured, if this is your spell book, you would draw doodles around the edges of the interface. They got a great reaction and they also became a way for kids to learn to draw our characters from very simple shapes. The main doodle guy is a circle and a triangle for a hat, with a square body and sticks for hands and feet. We have had MANY kids draw this and I always find the results humorous! We hang the best ones up in our offices for people to see.

5. You are responsible for designing the Wizard City hub? Any other places in the game that you helped create?
Well the list is large, since I have been here from the beginning but most of Wizard City, some Krokatopia interiors (like the initial teleport pyramid), some Marleybone interiors (like the Clock Tower and Wolfminster Abby), some Mooshu interiors (like the initial Teleport Chamber and the Cliffside Temple), a lot of Dragonspyre (like the hub and the final volcano area), some Grizzleheim areas (like the Wolf Cave and the Bear Invasion Camp), some Celestia areas (like the Temple of the Storm Lord and Research Station), the Pigswick Academy hub model (but someone else textured it), and the Zafaria Baobab hub and tree top area. I am working on our new world now. There is always something to do
6. What was your first thought when you were told about Pirate101?
I thought "What a great idea!" This is a way to see the Spiral from a different perspective. I can't wait for people to coast though the Spiral in their custom made pirate ship, sailing from world to world. It really looks great!

Also, what is cooler than pirates? I guess ninjas but pirates are cool, too.



7. Any chances we may see a "Piratecadoodle comic?" or "Yarrrcadoodle"? xD
;)

8.  Looking at both games, which one are you more interested in? Why?
Well, as a fan of both the Magic: the Gathering card game and Final Fantasy Tactics, I'm going to say.....both.

Really, it comes down to what type of game I want to play at the time. Right now, I am having loads of fun getting new companions and tactically moving them around the game board to win battles, but there is something to be said about customizing my spell deck in that right way to defeat my enemies. Both are great gaming experiences.

9. Have you created any art for Pirate101? Or do you think you will be sticking with Wizard101?
I helped with some of the puppet shows for Pirate101 and they have been a blast to create! Where Wizard101 had doodles, Pirate101 has puppet shows and they are a riot to see. I can't wait for people to watch them!
10. Usually when there is a big update for Wizard101 the maps in the game have a new set of doodles on them, do you create all of these? Does anyone help you with creating them?
Nope, all mine. I still get a kick out of making them and will do so for as long as we make new worlds. I am glad people like them so much. I read the plot and try to make the doodles relevant to the area being seen, but in a funny way.

11. A few weeks ago I interviewed Dave Greco Lead concept artist, do you guys work together or are you in a different area?
He is in a different area but I do love his artwork! There is nothing like a good concept artist to get the vision of the world right from the get go. We are very lucky to have him and his concept team working on all our projects!
12. Finally I've seen some of the awesome doodles you do for fans of Wizard101. I challenge you to doodalize my Storm Wizard. Are you up to the challenge? If so I attached a photo.

Done! Hope you like it!

    Thank you so much for letting me interview you Jeff. Thank you to you and everyone at KI who makes Wizard101 and Pirate101 the most enjoyable experience it can be!
You all are doing a great job, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for KingsIsle. :)

~Johnny

 

Pirate101 Closed Beta has begun!

YARRRR! Its that time Pirates!! We all have been waiting for this moment!! Pirate101 closed Beta has begun officially earlier today! Yep take a look!

PIRATE101 SAILS INTO BETA TESTING

PLANO, TEXAS (August 3rd, 2012) – Avast me hearties! KingsIsle Entertainment is pleased to announce the Beta for Pirate101 is officially underway. The first round of Beta invitation emails has gone out to testers, and a variety of additional Beta key giveaways are planned over the next several weeks.

“The start of our closed Beta testing marks a massive step forward for Pirate101,” said J. Todd Coleman, vice president and creative director at KingsIsle Entertainment. “Design, art, technology, story—our teams have worked tirelessly to craft this fantastic new online experience for families. I cannot wait for our testers to get in and experience the new world we have created for them.”

In Pirate101, players take the helm of their very own pirate ship as they pursue an epic storyline of grand swashbuckling adventure. Intended to entertain a broad and cross-generational family audience, Pirate101 is accessible and simple to play for casual gamers, yet simultaneously offers systems with great depth and complexity for more sophisticated audiences.

    To get all of your information on Closed beta, take a look at the beta information page at Pirate101.com! (Here) Make sure you have atleasted signed up for the beta drawing on the site! If you are chosen they will send you a email with instructions on how to enter the game.

    AMD game blog has partnered up with Kingsisle and will soon be giving away some beta keys! You can find more information about this giveaway on their blog and Facebook page! Goodluck to you all I hope to see you in the skyways! You are going to love it!!

    Also dont forget to check out Pirate101's facebook page for frequent updates and news about the game! Click the like button you know you LOVE it! ;D

And with that I must go save my crew from the armada! *Cheers* hands bottle of Yum!

-Johnny