Ubisoft has just announced another delay in the release date of their new upcoming action-adventure game, Skull and Bones. This is not the first delay this game has experienced, even if its reasoning is good. This latest delay has people questioning when they’ll actually be able to get their hands on a copy.
Skull and Bones is moving away from other Ubisoft-style games and provides players with a pirate-filled adventure as they traverse the seven seas. Ubisoft Singapore has been working on this multiplayer game since 2013, although Ubisoft only revealed the game in 2017. Since then, fans of the studio and pirate-lovers alike have been patiently waiting for a release date.
The project’s launch has received quite a few pushbacks since it was first announced, and when we finally received a release date of November 8, 2022, many fans were extremely excited. This excitement was amplified when pre-orders for the game became available. However, this excitement didn’t last.
Yesterday, Ubisoft announced another delay and Skull and Bones will only be released to PC, Playstation 5, Stadia and Xbox X/S on March 9, 2023. The reason for the delay was that the developers had sufficient time to address the bugs and feedback from the recent Technical Tests and Insider Program.
This means that the development stage of the process is complete, and now it is just the polishing and finishing touches to ensure that when the game makes it to the public, it will be a great experience for all players. The developers also announced that an open beta will follow shortly (exact date not yet confirmed) for anyone wishing to give the game a test run before release.
As excited as we are for the release of this interesting game from the popular developers Ubisoft, there have already been so many delays for Skull and Bones up to this point. We hope this is the last one and that we can finally start getting excited for its release in March.
With a planned release in November 2022, Skull and Bones is an upcoming pirate game by Ubisoft that has us practicing ‘Arrgh’ and ‘Me matey’ in front of the mirror. We’ve seen the exciting trailer with a few more details during development. We have some idea of the features we’ll see in the online multiplayer game.
As such, here’s a list of the top 5 Skull and Bones features we’re excited to see. While we have yet to see what else it has in store for us, we can’t wait to have a go at becoming a pirate king.
Sailing the open seas in Skull and Bones
One of the more obvious features of Skull and Bones is that you’ll be sailing the open seas. More specifically, your ship and crew will embark on adventures in the Indian Ocean. That means plenty of open areas to explore.
It’s worth mentioning that there isn’t a campaign or detailed story. The main focus is playing online with others. However, you will find quests on islands and the main continent. Completing these missions will give you experience and loot, which is what we’ll be hunting for.
You’ll also need to face enemy ships. The objective in Skull and Bones is to become a feared pirate, which means you need to make a name for yourself. There will also be loads of hidden islands to discover.
Crafting for survival
Besides sailing the open seas, you’ll need to use the crafting system to survive and become a pirate lord. Skull and Bones will have plenty of resources to find and steal. The Ubisoft developers made sure that every single item you obtain has some value.
You’ll be able to craft some of the items on your ship. In other cases, you’ll need to head to one of the islands and find an NPC to make objects for you. Whether you’re interested in an advanced sword or pistol or you want something for your crew, the crafting system will help you.
Of course, you’ll need to ensure that your ship remains strong on the seas. Skull and Bones lets you place armor on it, and you can upgrade the canons and other features. It will be interesting to see if you can craft sails as in Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag.
Holding the morale high
One concept in Skull and Bones that may be tricky is the morale system. Your crew won’t always be happy, and they’ll be slack on the decks if they’re not satisfied with you. If you want them to perform at their peak, you’ll need to feed them food and treasure.
Of course, I don’t mean literally feed them treasures. If you have sufficient wealth and there’s enough food to fill their bellies, they’ll keep rowing and blasting. People’s opinions and fear of you and the crew will also impact the morale of the ship.
Another aspect that may affect the crew’s mood is the ship’s state. They’re less likely to be pleased if it’s small and there are holes all over the hull. You’ll need to make some repairs, upgrade the size, and fill the ship with as much treasure as it can safely hold.
Pirate infamy rank
I mentioned earlier that there is no campaign in Skull and Bones. That doesn’t mean there isn’t an overarching objective. To become the biggest criminal on the open seas, you’ll want to reach Pirate Kingpin level. It’s the ultimate rank in the game, which opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
Other pirates will approach you to complete dangerous missions. You’ll unlock better ships and weapons, making you more formidable on the ocean. Your crew will have the highest respect for you, and there will be lots more loot to discover.
To rise in pirate ranks, you’ll need to take on other ships and accept quests. Skull and Bones has a definite progression system that you can compare with other online players.
Your ship is your throne in Skull and Bones
It goes without saying that the most important aspect of Skull and Bones is your ship. You’ll use it for transporting goods, holding your treasure, caring for your crew, and blasting away at enemies. The best part is that you’ll unlock different types of ships along the way.
Some examples of ships you’ll find are dhows, sloops, sambuks, and brigantines. It will be interesting to see if there are different class levels, or if you’ll discover various cultures.
An exciting element I’m looking forward to is the crew-on-crew battles. In AC: Black Flag, these small skirmishes became quite intense. Since Ubisoft made both brands, I’m also hoping for some Assassin’s Creed Easter eggs, such as discovering Altair’s outfit or equipping a hidden blade.
Your sudden sense of déjà vu is understandable. Ubisoft initially announced Skull and Bones, their highly-anticipated pirate-themed experience, in 2017 for a 2018 release. It’s common knowledge that the game entered production long before the 2017 announcement, but somehow it missed the 2018 release and every supposed release window subsequent to that.
Now though, Ubisoft has announced what will hopefully be the final release date. Skull and Bones is expected to hit the market on November 8th for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Google Stadia via the Ubisoft Store and the Epic Games Store.
Come November 8th, have your cutlass and pistol on hand and prepare to captain your own pirate ship. You’ll be able to accept contracts, wreak havoc on the high seas and plunder merchant ships for their valuable booty. The game will also feature an open-ended type playstyle inspired by the naval combat in Assassins Creed: Black Flag, in which your choices will determine your path. Raise your station within the pirate ranks during the golden age of piracy and become the terror of the seas you always dreamed of while watching the Pirates of the Caribbean.
You’ll also be able to team up with up to two friends and face other players in PvP combat on the open seas. To try and tamp down the general air of dubiousness after missing so many release windows, Ubisoft has promised to engage in a robust post-launch roadmap spanning multiple years during which they plan to furnish players with regular new content, updates, stories, activities, and free challenges.
Alongside the abovementioned platforms, Skull and Bones will also be made available on Amazon Luna. Players will be able to purchase a premium edition that will feature numerous cosmetic items for ships and captains, in addition to a ‘Smuggler Pass’ token, a digital art book, and two extra missions. If you pre-order the game, you’ll also be entitled to the ‘Highness of the High Sea Pack’ which will include the Coronation Firework and Notoriety Garb Captian Outfit.
We’ve been anticipating its arrival for a long time, but it’s finally official: these waters are about to become that much more perilous as the galleons, sloops, and schooners of Skull and Bones roll atop the waves like a dreadfully exciting storm. We cannot wait.
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