Pirates was a LEGO theme introduced in 1989, running until 1997 and focused on the classic idea of Caribbean pirates that were pitted against soldiers of colonial empires. As the series progressed through the years, more factions were introduced and the older ones were phased out of production. The Pirates were one of the first two original factions in the theme to be introduced.
1997 LEGO Sets
In 1997, the LEGO Group faced significant challenges as it grappled with a changing toy market and internal organizational shifts. While the company introduced its first-ever licensed theme, "Star Wars," laying the groundwork for one of its most successful and enduring lines, it also experienced a dip in sales for the first time since its inception. The LEGO Group recognized the need to innovate and diversify its product offerings beyond traditional brick sets, leading to endeavors in new areas like software and video games, with the launch of LEGO Island, its first PC game. This year marked a period of introspection and transformation for the iconic toy company.