National Talk Like a Pirate Day returns as Pirate101 opens to all

The official day during which it's 100 percent acceptable to belt out "yarrgh" or "aye, matey" gets a second chance today. The team behind family MMO hit Wizard101, KingsIsle Entertainment, has released its next major free-to-play MMO for all to enjoy: Pirate101. The game is based in the same Wizard101 universe but with a decidedly different strategy-focused play style.

In addition to embarking on adventures of all sorts of digital piracy--no, not that kind--players will have the luxury and challenge of manning their own pirate ship that navigates magical currents in the air known as skyways. (This is a fantasy game, after all.) While the game is free-to-play, developer KingsIsle Entertainment offers virtual goods for purchase as well as prepaid bundle packages and game cards as select retailers.

"The overwhelming popularity of Wizard101 has raised the bar for our sophomore effort–and anticipation for Pirate101 has reached a fever pitch," KingsIsle VP and creative director J. Todd Coleman said in release. "We believe that Pirate101 will be received with the same level of enthusiasm as Wizard101 and will establish KingsIsle as the clear leader in online family gaming."

If you'd like a closer look at what Pirate101 is all about, check out our hands-on preview. If you're already down, you can download the game for Windows right here:

Click here to download Pirate101 on Windows Now >

Are you psyched for Pirate101? Will this draw you away from Wizard101 for good? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment.