Skull and Bonesis a game that promises a lot. Coming from Ubisoft, the company behind previous pirate success stories likeAssassin’s Creed 4:Black Flag, the upcoming multiplayer pirate game is set in the Golden Age of piracy. Although similar to other pirate titles likeSea OfThieves,Ubisoft’s title boasts a few important differences. First, it seems to focus more on persistent RPG mechanics, and it also seems that factions will play a more important role in the oversea adventure. Of course, the title will also adopt a more realistic, high-fidelity art direction. These elements all place it in direct contrast to Rare’s more cartoony entry into the genre.
While these differences may be stark, the trajectory of the sillier pirate game since its release bodes well forSkull and Bones. If a gamer came toSea of Thievesin 2021, they might not believe that it had an incredibly rocky launch. Currently, the game sits at its largest player-base since its launch. Despite being released over three years ago, January 2021 was the game’s biggest month.
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The current success ofSea of Thievesshows that there is a very active market for pirate games right now. IfSkull and Bonesis able to distinguish itself enough from other pirate games, it could carve out a significant portion of that audience.Sea of Thievesgot to this point by developing a deeply unique product, so by doing the same thing, Ubisoft could mold its pirate title into a massive success. Hopefully, these promised RPG mechanics will do just that.
What Was Sea of Thieves' Redemption Story?
Sea of Thieveswas initially released by Rare onto Xbox Game Pass in 2018. Although its graphics and core mechanics received praise, the game’s lack of content and progression garnered much criticism. That is no longer the case. What was considered a slightly shallow experience has transformed into a thriving multiplayer phenomenon. Funnily enough,Rare’s troubled gameshave a long history, andSea of Thievesis the most recent example. Thankfully, this is one game that certainly recovered.
Rare established a really potent content roadmap for theSea of Thievesupdatesthat slowly but surely revitalized the game. The already passionate core player-base stuck with the title, but the addition of new content coaxed a whole new set of players as the years progressed. Recently, the incorporation of limited-time, seasonal events that players can participate in drove many more gamers to join as well. Ultimately, Rare understood why the game was successful, and its live-service model injected the title with a consistent sense of energy as more content appeared.
Multiplayer Ship Battles Are Incredibly Popular Right Now
One of the central focuses in the marketing fromSkull and Bonesis the ship combat, as the ships themselves look incredibly epic in scale and detail. Having a very deep level of detail makes the game look more realistic than titles likeSea of Thieves. The sailing mechanics are so exciting thatplayingSea of Thievessolois a very popular way to play the game.Skull and Boneswill also be feature a single-player campaign, and to make that rewarding, the game will need to have impeccable sailing mechanics. Of course, there’s a difference between a campaign and open-ended sandbox, but the line in the sand there can be easily washed away. WithAssassin’s Creed: Black Flag, Ubisoft already has experience producing compelling ship combat mechanics.
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Sea of Thieves' huge player-baseshows that gamers are interested in good ship combat right now. There is also an asymmetrical multiplayer element to this, with tension mounting as players move past potential enemy ships throughout a voyage. In multiplayer pirate games, the suspicion is valid, as names likeSea of ThievesorSkull and Bonesdo imply a level of deception. So,Skull of Boneshas a perfect chance to satisfy the millions of players that evidently want to explore, especially when it also includes RPG elements.
Skull and Bones Could Get Players More Invested Than Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thievesis a perfect game to drop in and out of. While its microtransactions may have been unpopular initially, all they really effect is the appearance of a pirate. This is due to the title’s gameplay loop. Each pirate embarks on an enclosed, short form voyage alone or with friends, which fills the coffers of any pirate participating. This loop works perfectly for the game’s community. Relatively low stakes are ideal for a game with a more cartoonish tone. From the mind-bending effects of drinking grog to theweird bananas inSea of Thieves,even the most intense moments of combat are filled with some levity. Players obviously become invested in their pirates in Rare’s game, otherwise they would not buy cosmetics. However,Skull and Boneshas a perfect opportunity to engage players differently.
Sea ofThieves’resurgence in popularity proves that players will flock to a game for silly ship-to-ship adventures. In contrast,Skull and Bonescan offer another angle to increase player investment: RPG mechanics. Giving players tangible RPG progression mechanics for the pirates they embody will be a powerful move. In some ways, blendingRPG mechanicsand high-seas adventures is a fantastic move considering some of the most popular games right now. A deeper level of investment will be possible thanks to the pirate captain customization options that the game will have.
Sea of Thieves’re-emergent popularity absolutely bodes well forSkull and Bones. It shows that there is both a huge market for its content and a safety net available should it need one after launch.
Skull and Bonesis in development, with PC, PS4, and Xbox One as confirmed platforms.
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