It’s been just over three weeks since Microsoft launched Sea of Thieves, and a lot has happened since then!
Microsoft have been listening to you all, and they know you are keen to hear how Microsoft plans to grow Sea of Thieves. As Microsoft have always said, launch is just the start, and they are going to grow and evolve the game with feedback from our community. It feels like the right time to reveal how we’ll do this.
Sea of Thieves is a unique experience. As Microsoft look to add to the game, and they will be very purposeful about the type of experience they want to create, and how they want this game to grow. At the same time, Microsoft have also been listening closely to everyone playing the game since launch and have been ensuring that this feeds into our content plans. When considering what to add to their plans, Microsoft always consider how they can make the most impact on the following:
- Bringing players together in interesting ways, encouraging different types of player encounters
- Enriching the world that players adventure in
- Giving players new ways to play
- Giving players a variety of goals and rewards
- Broadening the journey to Pirate Legend and beyond
Alongside this, what’s key for them is the rhythm and cadence Microsoft want to get into with Sea of Thieves. Their focus for April is to continue addressing the top feedback points, but as they move into May, their focus will shift to new content.
Microsoft first content update, The Hungering Deep. It will release in May and bring with it a new AI threat to the world. Crews will have to work together to discover and defeat this threat as part of a unique event. Microsoft will also be introducing a number of new mechanics to assist players on this adventure, and there will be unique rewards that players can earn as part of this event. Beyond this, they will begin their weekly events programme during May, where they introduce new mechanics and give players fun new ways to play with weekly events and rewards.
In the summer months, Microsoft will debut two more content updates with Cursed Sails; which will include: a new ship type. Forsaken Shores, which will introduce players to a perilous new part of the world to explore.
Similarly to The Hungering Deep; both of these updates will also include new gameplay mechanics for players. New AI threats to challenge and new unique rewards to claim.
As Microsoft have always said, they never wanted to do anything to separate their players. So they are pleased to confirm that all content updates will be available to all their players, at no additional cost.
For more details on Microsoft plans for the coming months, and some in-depth thinking behind them
With Sea of Thieves being a game that grows and evolves, Microsoft will be listening to you, their community, throughout. As such, they will always be looking at whether their current plans are meeting your needs. Based on feedback since launch, Microsoft have changed the priorities for both Pets and Ship Captaincy; which they had previously announced as things they would look to add in the few months after launch. These are on the back burner for now whilst they add to the game in other areas. Expect Microsoft plans to continue to be fluid, but always with the goals listed above as there guiding principles.
