If recent Chart Track polls show anything, The UK region is enjoying Jack Sparrow's latest misadventures in Disney Interactive's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, both on the silverscreen and on consoles. The game is also the number 3 seller for the Nintendo DS and Wii console. PotC's success doesn't seem to end in Britain, however, as we pick up a press wire indicating the game's further success in the rest of Europe.

In France, the game reportedly took the number 1 position on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and PSP; number 2 on Windows PC, number 4 on the Wii, and number 8 on the Nintendo DS. Germany sees the game taking number 1 position on the PS3, number 2 on the PSP, number 3 on PS2 and Xbox 360, and number 4 on the Wii. Here were Disney Interactive Studios VP Craig Relyea's comments regarding the sales:

We are extremely pleased with the success of our Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End video games. Fans all over the world are drawn to the dynamic gameplay and stunning graphics that provide players with a truly immersive experience that goes beyond the events of the films.

For a blockbuster hit like the Pirates of the Caribbean, you would think that publishers would jump on the opportunity on the franchise's fame and rake in shiploads of moolah by porting it to all conceivable platforms possible.

But not Disney Interactive Studios. While Jack Sparrow and the rest of his crew will be basking under the sun across multiplatforms on U.S. shores, Japan will only find them exclusively on Nintendo platforms. That's right, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will only be shipped for the Japanese Wii and DS.

We are just as clueless as to why Disney Interactive opted to embrace this strategy for Japan, but it seems that they are confident PotC: At World's End will do just fine, even without the help of the other platform versions. We'll see just how much gold they'll be raking in with this double-edged move.

"...but it makes more sense for a game," said Disney Interactive's Tim Fitzrandolph during a recent video interview regarding the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End game, specifically on the Wii console. Aside from divulging general game info - like the fact the movie's three main actors/actress were not voicing their roles in the game - Tim also reiterated on some of the Wii version's unique advantages.

Most obvious was the Wiimote controller, which the producer explained has three general attacks: a horizontal slash for normal attacks, and up-and-down motion for power shots, and a thrust (stab) for finishing blows. As for the defensive side of melee, Tim also discussed the "Ole" system, where players could use a carefully timed and positioned block to toss enemies into an object of their choice (ie: wells, walls, cliffs...).

On the quirkier side of things, Tim also reiterated on the PoTC's interactive environment. Example: Players could toss whatever items were in the area at their opponent (We're imagining fruits, a pole, and a certain Sparrow...).

And of course, there's Jack Sparrow. Tim further explained in the video interview that the game features "Jack" moments, where players are guided (by button cue) through certain moments to react in a way that Jack Sparrow would (Imagine the cannon stunt in the movie trailer, and you'll get the idea).That's just the short on the eye opening interview available below. Happy viewing.

 

It looks like aside from going native 1080p for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is also going to be a slightly short romp around the swashbuckling era that ol' Jack Sparrow dwells in. In fact, according to a GameSpot interview with Disney Interactive Studios' producer Jeff Blattner, the single player campaign will be "eight to 10 hours long."

Wow. You can actually finish the game in a day, huh? Unfortunately, for multiplayer fun, all the platforms will only get two modes of multiplay: select levels for cooperative multiplayer and two-player duels. But the PSP should have ad-hoc game sharing over Wi-Fi and some mini-games to boot, which includes a version of a Hearts game.
   
Thankfully, though, the fight scenes will be a lot more dynamic this time around, with Jack's "Jackanism" antics causing some interesting developments during fights. Blattner illustrated how the new fight mechanics for the next-gen consoles also helps add to Sparrow's character:

Certainly most of the comedy in the film is driven by Jack Sparrow--he has proven himself capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone. More often than not, he will have more than one way to dispatch his enemies. We've had the great challenge and pleasure of delivering those methods through knocking over people, putting barrels on people's heads, and the accidental harmony that he brings to situations.

The game is being developed in a proprietary next-gen engine that could be used for other next-gen titles by Disney, but the Wii version has an included unique control interface for its own engine.

Disney Interactive Studios has let loose the latest fact sheet for the Nintendo Wii version of their upcoming multi-platform title, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. No word on online capabilities yet, but it does support up to two players, which most likely would be for co-op. The Notoriety feature sounds pretty interesting, too.

Anyway, here's the fact sheet, courtesy of Advanced Media Network.

• Notoriety – Jack’s fame as a pirate increases as he strikes fear and admiration into the hearts of his pirate brethren
• Control Captain Jack Sparrow – Take advantage of situations as Jack would, playing to his unique character, wit and guile
• Intelligent Swordplay – Adaptive swashbuckling with intense dueling and acrobatic interaction requiring flamboyant creativity
• Action – Experience an exciting world of swordplay, environmental acrobatics, and Pirate shenanigans
• Exhaustive Unlockables – New moves, secret characters, inventory items, weapons and secret locations
• Wii Remote (Wii) – Pointing and motion sensing capabilities heightens the intensity of swashbuckling with each move
• Players: 1 – 2

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is expected to drop in retails stores on May 22.

Ahoy mates! Captain Jack Sparrow is back for another round of adventuring in Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End by Disney Interactive Studios.

The game based on the third part of the movie trilogy is going multi-platform (Xbox360, PS3, Wii, PSP, DS, PC, and PS2). The Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End will certainly be interesting. Will Captain Jack stay stuck in Davy Jones' Locker? Or will Will and Elizabeth save him with Captain Barbossa? And more importantly, will they be able to defeat the malicious Cutler Beckett?

All the answers to these questions will be in your hands - literally - on Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End on the Wii. Can't wait to sword fight with your Wiimote? Famitsu reports that the sword fights will be controlled via Wiimote - light attacks can be done by shaking it side to side while heavy attacks require up and down motions. We'll check back for more info on how the other controls will work. In the meantime, check out the screenshots.

You need not go to the world's ends for more screens. Just click on Full Article!

Enigmatic Captain Jack Sparrow and the rest of the crew is back and they are set to conquer your hearts with their swords and fantastic adventures! Disney Interactive Studios (DIS) just announced that on May 22, 2007, it will be releasing new video game Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 (PS3), Wii, PlayStation Portable (PSP), DS, PC, and PlayStation 2.

"Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise will experience adventures inspired by the second and third films while going far beyond the events of those films. Our games go beyond the films to introduce legendary pirates, new locations and unique endings that will satisfy the pirate in each of us," said Craig Relyea, Marketing Vice President for DIS.

Disney mentioned that it will release more details in the following weeks dedicated for each system. But as of now, the publisher said that the new video game will sport innovative dueling controls, as well as special moves that can be used to outwit and defeat enemies.

The DS version of At World's End was rated E10+ by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and was developed by Amaze Entertainment. On the other hand, the console versions of the game, as well as the PSP and PC was given to Eurocom Entertainment. All versions were rated T by the classifications board.

And now we leave you with the immortal words of the great pirate captain, "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. I think we've all arrived at a very special place, eh? Spiritually, ecumenically...grammatically."

Nintendo is throwing a huge party for gamers down under. Thing is, they have to enter a contest to get an invite. It's nothing hard really - all party hopefuls have to do is write a 50-word or less essay to Nintendo telling them why they should invite said hopeful to said party.

As Jack Sparrow might say, "one who wants to do the partying must give reason to the one who would do the inviting so that the one who would do the inviting would invite said reason giver to the event where the reason giver would party."

Got that? Anyway below are the pertinent dates. They're pretty near so if you're interested, act as soon as you can. If you're iffy about this particular party, here's some info about the first Wii party, just so you guys can get an idea on how Nintendo does their events.

Victoria - 40 Winners

Wii Party Location - Scoresby, Monday October 30, 9pm – 11pm

New South Wales - 40 Winners

Wii Party Location - Homebush, Tuesday October 31, 9pm – 11pm

Queensland - 30 Winners

Wii Party Location - Milton, Wednesday November 1, 9pm – 11pm

South Australia - 20 Winners

Wii Party Location - Adelaide CBD, Tuesday November 7, 9pm – 11pm

Western Australia - 20 Winners

Wii Party Location - Perth CBD, Wednesday November 8, 9pm – 11pm

Thanks to reader Frank for the word.