Atari, Inc. recently announced a joint venture with Playlogic Entertainment to distribute the new action-adventure RPG Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales throughout Europe, the U.S., and Asia. The goal of the game is to become the mightiest and most dreaded pirate of the sea. It's scheduled for release on the PC in September 2006.

Developed by Russian developer Akella — the creators of Sea Dogs, Age of Sail II, and Pirates of the Caribbean; Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales invites players to experience all the swashbuckling excitement and reckless adventuring of a pirate's life on the Caribbean Sea during the 17th Century.

Said Rick Mehler, Director of Marketing at Atari, "Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales provides a deep role-playing experience that encourages development of captain, crew, ships, towns, fighting abilities, weapons, and more." Sounds good, but can it unseat Sid Meier's Pirates!, the reigning king of the virtual pirate life?

"We are very excited that Atari is our distribution partner for Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales," said Stefan Layer, Vice President and Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, Playlogic. "Atari has an excellent worldwide distribution network, a highly motivated team and the right marketing approach. We are looking forward to working with them."

In Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales, players take the role of reckless fortune-hunter Blaze or alternatively his red-headed daredevil stepsister Beatrice, and sail the rough seas in a tall ship with a loyal crew of vicious cutthroats and fierce corsairs. As players navigate through the Caribbean Sea, they will encounter massive naval battles and sword fights, take on challenging quests, conquer and manage colonies, trade goods and plunder merchant convoys to make fortunes.

Caribbean Tales features a wealth of gaming treasures such as 16 different sail ships, varying weather conditions, day and night cycles, multiplayer battles with up to 16 opponents and multiplayer modes including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Defend the Convoy and Capture the Fort.

What about a co-op mode? Why not make it a MMO game? These and other questions will hopefully be answered as the game approaches release.