Developer Flying Lab Software has revealed that it will be shutting down 7 of the 11 servers for its MMO Pirates of the Burning Sea (PC) in order to consolidate the player population.

"It has become clear that key game features require populations of higher density in order to function at optimum levels," the studio wrote on the game's... Read more

Flying Lab's pirate MMO is nearing completion, and promises to mix up the field with EVE-like economic systems and Sid Meierian combat. I got my first hands-on time with the game a few days ago, and came away mixed. Check out my detailed impressions.

Also, be sure to glance at my self-taken screenshot gallery below.

I want to feel as if my ship is more than a fast-moving, robotic gun platform. Let me order my crew around, a la Silent Hunter 4. Let me attend to specific repairs as in Independence War, or attempt long ranging shots with bow chasers, already possible in something like Sea Dogs. Instead, I'm holding "A" and hitting space-bar, over and over again. Sails fly up masts in seconds. The best points of sailing direction are clearly marked for you. All of the interesting aspects of ship combat are entirely automated, with depth being added through button-based abilities that are more at home in Everquest. You can't even ram stuff. Read more...

Flying Lab Software's swashbuckling PC MMO Pirates of the Burning Sea will launch worldwide on January 22, 2008. As has become commonplace, those who pre-order the title will net a boatload of goodies, including a powerful in-game weapon and a parrot, along with early access to the game's servers on January 7.

Published under Sony Online Entertainment's Platform Publishing label, the game has players picking one of four factions--Pirate, English, French, and Spanish--and battling for dominance over the open sea. Said factions will constantly battle over ownership of the game's numerous ports, which affects the in-game economy. As with any good pirate-themed outing, combat occurs in both ship-to-ship and personal sword-swinging, pistol-firing varieties.

"The vast amount of player-created content and the intense strategy required in Pirates of the Burning Sea sets it apart from any other MMO on the market," noted Sony Online Entertainment global brand manager D Tim Granich, Sr. Global Brand Manager. "Gamers will be donning their captain's gear and eagerly awaiting their next battle on land or sea."

MPOGD is the latest site with a Pirates of the Burning Sea Q&A, asking Rusty Williams of Flying Lab Software about their publishing deal with Sony Online Entertainment.

Pirates of the Burning Sea: Cross-Subject Q&A on MMORPG.com talks to producer John Scott Tynes about the recently announced publishing deal with SOE, game missions and beta progress. There's also a Q&A at WarCry.

Ten Ton Hammer has been updated with a Pirates of the Burning Sea Q&A. Lead designer Kevin Maginn is asked about various gameplay related things. It was announced yesterday that SOE will be publishing the game.

Sony Online Entertainment subsidiary Platform Publishing has formed a partnership with independent developer Flying Lab Software to publish the studio's upcoming pirate-themed MMO Pirates of the Burning Sea. The game--which is nearing completion--will take place in the Caribbean circa 1720, and will allow players to compete in ship-to-ship combat, complete over one thousand missions, and explore dozens of conquerable ports.

"Platform Publishing and SOE possess a level of expertise and success in sales, marketing and distribution that makes them the perfect co-publisher for Pirates of the Burning Sea," said Flying Lab CEO Russell Williams.

Based on past SOE public relations debacles over games... Read more