Official Pirates of the Caribbean Press Release

Here’s the full press release, straight from my inbox:

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN GAME SETS SAIL TO STORES NATIONWIDE

Swashbuckling RPG Set to Bow on Xboxâ„¢ and PC CD-ROM

July 8, 2003 (Rockville, MD) Bethesda Softworks announced today that the Pirates of the Caribbean video and computer game has shipped to retailers nationwide. The game, inspired by Disney’s highly-anticipated summer blockbuster movie, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” is now available for Xboxâ„¢ and PC CD-ROM. Initial copies of Pirates of the Caribbean for Xbox and PC will include a free coupon to see the movie, which opens in theaters nationwide on July 9th.

Pirates of the Caribbean is an exhilarating blend of role-playing and action, taking place in a large group of Caribbean islands during the golden age of piracy and high seas adventure. Packed with exciting missions both on land and at sea, the game is the most complete pirating adventure to date.

(From lush, exotic environments to breathtaking, real time battles at sea, gamers will experience life as a true buccaneer,) said executive producer Todd Vaughn. (Players can decide to create their own adventure or follow the game’s main storyline in which they will find themselves thrust into an intense power struggle between European powers, merchants and other fortune-seekers.)

Playing as a peaceful and profitable merchant, as a mercenary for hire or as a ruthless pirate, gamers will have the opportunity to command a ship and its crew, swordfight with other captains as well as accept and complete daring quests as they chase rumors of dangers and treasures. Through skill and experience, players will gain the ability to sail the most impressive vessels, hire loyal crewman and have the opportunity to search for riches beyond imagination!

Narrated by Keira Knightley, the movie’s female lead actor, the game features advanced AI, unparalleled graphics and highly detailed environments and characters. Adding to the game’s realism, players will experience wind and water conditions that affect how their ships sail and fight. Incredible day and night lighting and spectacular sound effects bring the game to life.

The game has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB. For further information on the game, please visit http://pirates.bethsoft.com