[*NEW*: Want new players, revenue for your online game? Check out our Game Advertising Online network - 2 billion ads per month at inexpensive CPC rates!]

« Omnidate: Dating Sites With Virtual Worlds Can Compete With Social Networks | Main | Paid, Worlds Collaborating For DMC World »

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Report: Mobile Component Planned For Pirates of the Caribbean Online

Disney intends to release a mobile game that will interact with its Pirates of the Caribbean Online virtual world this September or October, according to a report from financial news site Forbes.

Launched in October 2007, Pirates of the Caribbean Online is a free-to-play title (with a monthly subscription option for premium content) based on the Disney film series. In the mobile game, players will be able to engage in short battles and earn virtual coins that can later be spent online, presumably in the MMORPG.

Disney also has a "Fairy Friend" mobile widget planned for Pixie Hollow, a forthcoming virtual world based on Disney's Tinker Bell fairy character. The mobile application allows users to create and care for a butterfly pet for their Pixie Hollow avatars, a feature not available in the online release.

The company is planning several other products to sync mobiles with its online site, such as a registration system for users to access their Disney.com profiles (due September), a digital storefront for purchasing games and other mobile goods, a "Speed Chat" messaging system for sending messages to other mobiles or PCs, real-time polls and trivia questions that follow Disney shows on TV, and more.

Disney is looking ahead to adapt to its 'tween users' cell phone needs and has already begun developing applications for the iPhone. An iPhone-specific version of the Disney site is also in the works.

Larry Shapiro, EVP of business development and operations for the Walt Disney Internet Group, commented that the company's mobile efforts are designed primarily to strengthen its other sectors: "It's about creating a connected media world. If you want to reach tweens, you need mobile."

[]
Posted by Eric Caoili on August 20, 2008 11:13 AM |

Post a comment


If you enjoy reading GameSetWatch.com, you might also want to check out these CMP Game Group sites:

Gamasutra (the 'art and business of games'.)

Game Career Guide (for student game developers.)

Indie Games (for independent game players/developers.)

Finger Gaming (news, reviews, and analysis on iPhone and iPod Touch games.)

GamerBytes (for the latest console digital download news.)

Worlds In Motion (discussing the business of online worlds.)

Weekly Archive

WorldsInMotion.biz [Twitter / RSS feed] discusses the business of connected games - from social gaming through free to play games to core MMOs and beyond - and is created by the folks behind:



Copyright © 2008 Think Services