Skull and Bones is (finally) launching on 8 Nov
Now there's a title we thought we'd never write.
Note: This article was first published on 8 July 2022.
Image: Ubisoft
Say (or meme) what you will about Skull and Bones, but as fate would have it, Ubisoft's long-delayed pirate title is finally coming out for real on 8 Nov.
Announced earlier today at the first Ubisoft Forward Spotlight, S&B will apparently be playable on a multitude of platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (via the Epic Store and Ubisoft Store). Additionally, it will also come with cross-play and cross-progression enabled at launch, so you can go a-sailing with your buddies as soon as possible.
Regarding the game itself, to say that S&B has had a tumultuous journey would be quite an understatement. First introduced as an extension of Assassin' Creed 4: Black Flag's fan-favourite naval gameplay in 2013, the project has gone through so many delays, conceptual overhauls, and general administrative drama over the past decade that it was essentially relegated to the "myth" section of gaming alongside the likes of Half-Life 3.
Until today, at least.
Aside from the game's various "developmental roadblocks", I think the end result looks pretty decent if the trailers above are anything to go by. The game has been announced to be an open-world multiplayer title with what Ubisoft calls "survival elements", though they haven't delved much into what this latter aspect will entail.
For the most part, it's safe to say the game tasks players with gaining Infamy through piracy, allowing them to customise their naval capabilities and ascend to the level of pirate kingpins. Of course, like any empire, alliances are an integral part of ensuring dominance, and players will be able to team up with up to two other players to enforce their rule. Needless to say, there's also a PvP element if you feel your crew is up to the task, and Ubisoft has noted that the game will be updated regularly with new events, challenges, and other happenings that will be free for all players to enjoy.
Image: Ubisoft
As for game versions, Skull and Bones will offer two variants: Standard and Premium. Standard is pretty self-explanatory - it's just a base copy of the game. Premium, on the other hand, offers quite a number of bonuses, such as The Ballad of Bloody Bones Collection, which features a range of cosmetics items for both Captains and Ships. On top of that, you'll also receive loads of additional digital content, including two extra missions, a digital Art Book and Soundtrack as well as a Smuggler Pass Token.
Finally, pre-ordering the game (regardless of version) gets you the “Highness of the High Sea Pack”, which includes the Notoriety Garb Captain Outfit and Coronation Firework.
For more information, feel free to check out the official Skull and Bones website.
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