Pirate WorldAlpha
Desktop app

Download Pirate World

The desktop app is a small window around the same game you can play in the browser. It's free, and it signs in with the same account.

Latest release

Checking for the latest release…

Desktop app or browser?

Both run the same game on the same server, and your characters are the same in both. Play in the browser if you just want to jump in. Get the app if you play a lot. A browser was made for websites, and some of its habits get in the way of a game:

In a browser tabIn the desktop app
Ctrl/Cmd+W, T, N and Q belong to the browser, and can close your tab mid-fightNo tabs and no browser shortcuts, so those keys reach the game
The address bar and tabs only go away in fullscreenThe window shows just the game, and Alt+Enter fullscreen still works
Background tabs get slowed downNo throttling when the window isn't in front
Sound waits for your first clickSound and music start straight away
A laptop may run the game on its slower built-in GPUThe app asks for the faster GPU, and lets you turn VSync off

The app loads the game from our server, so it stays up to date by itself. You only need a new download when the app itself changes, and it will tell you when that happens.

System requirements

  • A graphics card with WebGL2. Any computer from the last several years should have one.
  • Browser: a recent version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
  • Desktop app: macOS on Apple silicon or Intel, or Windows 10/11 (64-bit).
  • A keyboard and mouse. Phones and tablets aren't supported.
  • A steady connection. The server is in Germany, so players in Europe get the lowest lag.

Opening the app the first time

The alpha builds aren't code-signed yet: signing costs money every year, and we'll set it up once more people are playing. Until then, macOS and Windows warn you about an app from an unidentified developer. You only have to get past the warning once.

macOS

  1. Open the .dmg and drag Pirate World into Applications.
  2. Open the app. macOS says it “can't be verified” or is “from an unidentified developer”. Click Done or OK.
  3. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security and scroll down to Security.
  4. Next to the message about Pirate World, click Open Anyway, then confirm with your password.

Or, in Terminal, run this once after copying the app to Applications:

xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/Pirate World.app"

Not sure which Mac you have? Apple menu → About This Mac: “Chip: Apple M…” means Apple silicon, “Processor: Intel” means Intel.

Windows

  1. Run the installer (…-win-setup.exe), or the portable …-win-portable.exe if you'd rather not install anything.
  2. SmartScreen says “Windows protected your PC”.
  3. Click More info, then Run anyway.

The installer installs for your user only and doesn't need administrator rights. Your browser may also warn that the file “isn't commonly downloaded”: choose Keep.

Stuck? Check the FAQ, or just play in the browser for now.