# Going on a Caribbean sailing vacation - Pirates! out tomorrow **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 22, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135 "2004-11-22T17:34:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/1 "2004-11-22T17:34:12Z")
Paragon City, I’m going on a Caribbean vacation. Tomorrow, _Sid Meier’s **Pirates!** _ hits the shelves ($49,99; CompUSA offering $10.00 instant rebate). First review is up at IGN; [9.2 out of 10](http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/launchreview.asp?reviewid=448545) I’m old enough to remember the 1987 classic and have been anticipating this FAR more than Half-Life 2 (which I will still get and play once I upgrade my aging PC). All you governor’s, hide your daughters and your valuables, because Captain Jim Beam is coming to plunder booty! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/2 "2004-11-22T18:31:52Z")
> [@D-Odds](#): > > I’m old enough to remember the 1987 classic and have been anticipating this FAR more than Half-Life 2 You and me both, brother! Taking a cue from Mel Brooks, my French pirates were always named _de Monee_. Yeah, I know, it was really _de Monet_ but that joke works better my way. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/3 "2004-11-22T21:01:34Z")
Was there a Sega version of this game? I have a memory of playing navigator for Ivylad, helping him keep track of his tasks and figuring out what the pieces of map meant while he actually worked the controls. We learned a lot of Caribbean geography playing this game, even if our island names were not correct (Pacman Island, Traffic Light Island, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/4 "2004-11-22T21:15:50Z")
We will miss you. Me, I’ve got carpal tunnel surgery coming up. So while I won’t be playing Pirates, you don’t have at least Jim and Eliza will still be level 30 something. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/5 "2004-11-22T21:37:54Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Was there a Sega version of this game? I have a memory of playing navigator for Ivylad, helping him keep track of his tasks and figuring out what the pieces of map meant while he actually worked the controls. > > We learned a lot of Caribbean geography playing this game, even if our island names were not correct (Pacman Island, Traffic Light Island, etc.) Yes there was a Sega version. Added color to the black, white, brown and red classic (as did the PC version). > [@Dangerosa](#): > > We will miss you. > > Me, I’ve got carpal tunnel surgery coming up. So while I won’t be playing Pirates, you don’t have at least Jim and Eliza will still be level 30 something. I won’t quit totally, just reduce my time spent there. Of course, with Jim’s leveling speed, plus my desire to play different ATs, I’ll still be in my 30s this time next year (if only I could say the same about my age). ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/6 "2004-11-22T22:50:49Z")
If this is half as good as the original, I’ll be well pleased. Any thing else is gravy (on the turkey?). You can guess at the name on my Letter of Marque, but I doubt you’ll get it on the first try! Oh wait… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/7 "2004-11-23T03:43:57Z")
Yeh, I remember fondly the Commodore 64 version, swapping those 5-1/4" floppies in and out. They came out with a slightly updated Pirates Gold for the PC, but I never had time to get into it. Playing Pirates! taught me a lot: the geography of the Carribbean; some surprising things about sailing ships (who knew the hopeless tub called the galleon could do 15 knots with a strong tailwind?); and the near-infallible battle position of staying upwind and astern of your opponent- this game illustrated that battle sail tactic better than a dozen novels. Ah, and the retirement rankings. I once came up with a ranking system for a hypothetical Masochist’s Version of Pirates! based on how spectacularly you failed in an impossibly unfair version of the game. Based on your career as a pirate (in negative points), you would retire as: Manure shoveler Town drunk Prostitute Slave Amputee Madman Lost Soul ---
**Author:** ![Domokun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Domokun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Domokun)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/8 "2004-11-23T03:53:47Z")
Oh man I loved that game. The Amiga version was definitive. Anyone remember the manual? 'Twas a classic much like the game. Full of pirate and Caribbean trivia, really setting the scene well. I doubt the manual will be topped but hopefully the game will. Got to wait a couple of weeks more in the UK until I find out. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/9 "2004-11-23T03:56:57Z")
Damn! I just realized that my in-need-of-upgrading computer only has 128 MB and the system min is 256. What’s the chances of this working below the requirements? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/10 "2004-11-23T04:26:38Z")
I need a new computer so bad, but alas, I have no money. Can anyone spare $3,000? (I can’t get a new computer unless Mrs. RickJay gets one too.) ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/11 "2004-11-23T04:37:35Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I need a new computer so bad, but alas, I have no money. > > Can anyone spare $3,000? (I can’t get a new computer unless Mrs. RickJay gets one too.) You don’t need $3k to get two new computers. I paid 600 last time round, though my new one came sans monitor and hard drive, and was limited to integrated graphics. But it was also built up with a careful eye to being upgradeable, and while it’s now nearly two years old, it will still be capable of running new games with ease just as soon as I get around to putting a proper graphics card into it, which would have happened already if I weren’t being anal about finding one with totally passive cooling. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/12 "2004-11-23T13:51:53Z")
**RickJay** , I’d love to help, but I’m busy building my own so that I can play Half-Life 2 in all its glory. Pirates, however, should be fine for me. So today, lunchtime, I trundle off to CompUSA to get my copy. ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/13 "2004-11-23T13:56:47Z")
> [@CapnPitt](#): > > Damn! I just realized that my in-need-of-upgrading computer only has 128 MB and the system min is 256. What’s the chances of this working below the requirements? Unfortunately RAM is the one thing you can’t have below the requirements. Expect very long loading times and probable fun-killing stuttering. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/14 "2004-11-23T14:31:24Z")
Thanks for the advice Silentgoldfish. Not that I’m happy about it… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/15 "2004-11-23T15:10:23Z")
**CapnPitt** , one stick of 256MB RAM should run you less than $40; just make sure it is compatible with your computer. It will likely improve _every_ aspect of your computing. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/16 "2004-11-23T15:38:13Z")
One of my fondest memories of _Pirates!_ was forcing a buffer overflow in my ranks and titles – I hadn’t disbanded an expedition in ages, and had methodically sacked every city until the governors fled and I installed a new French governor in each. Ultimately the entire Caribbean was French, and my rank climbed from Ensign to Captain, Major, Colonel, Admiral, Baron, Count, Marquis, Duke, Dukee, E e, and into gibberish from there. I still didn’t get a good final ranking as I didn’t have any ranks or titles from the English, Dutch, or Spanish. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/17 "2004-11-23T15:45:21Z")
I’m glad I saw this thread. I can now pre-order the game for it’s Dec 3rd release in the UK! Arrrr! ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/18 "2004-11-23T15:55:10Z")
Avast Ye Scurvy Dogs!!! Popping in another 128 was deceptively simple! Out to CompUSA, home, and installed and back on the SDMB in less than an hour. And as predicted, the price came in at $39.99. Problem is my CompUSA didn’t have the game yet :mad: . I’m assuming it was in a box in the back even though they distinctly said it wasn’t. Oh well, I’ll try Best Buy on my way into work. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/19 "2004-11-23T19:06:26Z")
Now I’m :mad: CompUSA: “Huh? Worlds of Warcraft is downstairs” Gamestop: “Computer says we have the deluxe edition, but I haven’t seen it. May still be in a box” (pointing to nearly two dozen unopened boxes - this is NY: retail space costs such a premium, there are no “back rooms”) D\_Odds: Going to find a cutlass, a big floppy hat and a parrot, and show these stores a Pirate! ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135/20 "2004-11-23T19:18:14Z")
Best Buy and MediaPlay both gave me the same story. :mad: Worlds of Warcraft is a barnacle on the gaming world compared to anything made by Sid. I’m sure ready to burn something to the waterline, whether it’s a pinnace or a barque, I care not! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-a-caribbean-sailing-vacation-pirates-out-tomorrow/276135.md?page=2)