In order to provide players with new ways to keep up on their payments, Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) has come up with a short tutorial on how to use reloadable cards when paying for SOE MMORPGs.

These reloadable cards are offered by Visa and MasterCard. They can be used for pretty much any purchase where a regular Visa/MasterCard credit or debit card can be used. They're also easy to get, as they can be found just about anywhere in the U.S. Just check out the store gift cards section in a grocery or drug store and chances are you'll see one there.

These cards work fully with the SOE billing system, so you can use them to pay for any SOE MMORPG, be it EverQuest II, Star Wars Galaxies, Planetside, and others. It's a very easy and useful way to pay, really, so check out the full tutorial by clicking the Read link below.

The latest expansion of Pirates from Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) and WizKids - Pirates of the Mysterious Islands - adds a lot to the already rich and diverse world of this Constructable Strategy Game. What will excite most veterans of the game however is the addition of submarines and mercenaries. Another novel addition is Captain Nemo and the Nautilus, so fans of Jules Verne will now have a new ship to command.
 
Aside from the aforementioned additions, the expansion introduces steel hulled ships, mines, power cannons, and the periscope to the game. A new type of terrain is also available in the form of "The Mysterious Island" which bestows random effects on your fleet. US$ 3.99 will net you a single game pack which contains two sailing ships, submarines or sea monsters, one treasure card, and one mysterious island card. If you plan on playing competitively, digital game pack boxes which contain 18 digital game packs can be purchased for US$ 65.00.

With 93 new ships, 36 new crew and 14 new treasure cards, Pirates of the Mysterious Islands opens up new possibilities for new and old players alike. A new expansion for this MMORPG is slated to be launched every other month, so don't forget to keep up on future developments. For now, check out the screenshots and see if it catches your attention.

   

Sony Online Entertainment LLC announced that there is an expansion in the works to Wizkid Games' successful tabletop construction set game Pirates CSG. The virtual online version now allows players to create their own pirate havens and privateering ships, in an effort to build a fleet and dominate the high seas.

 

Pirates of the Spanish Main will introduce 68 new collectible ships (is Santa's Sleigh still there?) and 54 new treasures (with new icons) and crew, with complete rosters from the Spanish, English and Pirate nations. The fleet-building and treasure-plundering strategies are now just limited by your imagination.

Single digital game packs are available for US$ 3.99 each, and include all the tools necessary for play online. Digital game pack boxes, which include 18 digital game packs of Pirates of the Spanish Main, as well as one random Limited Edition bonus ship from the Spanish Main set, are available for US$ 65.00.

The game is slated for release on Tuesday, February 27, 2007.