Microsoft delivers interactive online game as part of launch; users rewarded with exclusive film clip of Disney’s upcoming “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” movie.

What does Capt. Jack Sparrow have in common with 240 million people around the world? They’re all connected on the world’s largest instant messaging service and are about to receive a treasure chest of communications options with today’s launch of Windows Live™ Messenger.

Microsoft Corp. today released Windows Live Messenger, available at http://get.live.com/messenger/overview, one of the first of more than 20 new Windows Live services to launch globally over the course of the year. Windows Live Messenger goes beyond the traditional instant messaging (IM) service, enabling people to connect and share, with free PC-to-PC calls and inexpensive calls from a PC to phones around the world, video calling, easy sharing with Sharing Folders, and more.

And for those hearty souls who want to set sail with a ghostly crew, the new Windows Live Messenger offers a treasure map to a peek at exclusive scenes from Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming film “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” with exclusive access to “Dead Man’s Tale,” an interactive online adventure that allows users to earn a berth aboard Jack Sparrow’s ship, the Black Pearl.

“Windows Live is all about giving consumers the tools and services they need to be in control as they stay connected to the people they care about, on top of the information that is important to them, and better protected across all their online activities,” said Martin Taylor, corporate vice president of Windows Live and MSN at Microsoft. “The launch of Windows Live Messenger represents a significant ‘down payment’ on the Windows Live vision and an important milestone for the business. We’re proud and excited to release this product to consumers, who have helped shape the service during our beta process so we could deliver an experience that unifies their online communications experience across voice, video, sharing and more.”

“Through Microsoft’s innovative game ‘Dead Man’s Tale’, people can whet their appetite for the adventure, excitement and intrigue that awaits them when ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ opens July 7,” said Cherise McVicar, senior vice president of National Promotions for Buena Vista Pictures Marketing. “With Windows Live Messenger fans have the opportunity to interact with the world of the film by themselves or with friends and family who may be thousands of miles away.”

Game Lets Aspiring Buccaneers Earn Insider’s Access to Movie Details

The game called “Dead Man’s Tale” blends audiovisual storytelling, chat, collaboration and gameplay to immerse participants in the world of the movie. Users are enticed to join the crew of the Black Pearl, first playing by themselves and then with a friend as they move through challenges that use many of Windows Live Messenger’s unique communication, sharing and interactivity features. As users successfully complete each challenge, they unlock details about the “Dead Man’s Chest” storyline from game narrator Billy Bones, the movie’s skull-and-crossbones title icon who has come to life. Once they conquer the final challenge, players are rewarded with an exclusive film clip from “Dead Man’s Chest” that is available only through Windows Live Messenger.

Disney and Microsoft have created, in addition to the game, a treasure trove of new “Pirates of the Caribbean”-related backgrounds, display images, Winks and other content for consumers to use in personalizing their Windows Live Messenger IM conversations. These unique additions, along with access to the full array of Windows Live Messenger capabilities, are available at the Windows Live Messenger Web site, http://get.live.com/messenger/overview. More information about “Dead Man’s Tale” can be found by visiting http://www.deadmanstale.com.

Staying in Touch via Windows Live Messenger Unifies Users’ World, Relationships, Interests

As the next generation of MSN^® Messenger, the world’s most widely used instant messaging service, Windows Live Messenger goes beyond text IM to help people connect and share with voice, video and more. It also acts as a window to the Internet, connecting people to their e-mail, blogs, search and other Windows Live services with one click of the mouse. Continue At Source

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