A known leaker reveals details about ships, map and gameplay. But the release still seems to be far away.
From Skull & Bones, not even the tops of the poles are visible on the horizon yet. For years now, Ubisoft Singapore’s pirate game has been pushing its release date like a bow wave, with a thick question mark currently behind 2022 or 2023.
But well-known industry insider and leaker Tom Henderson now shares a lot of exciting details – but as usual, consider this unofficial info with appropriate caution!
Ships, map and gameplay info allegedly leaked
In a series of tweets, Henderson shares artwork (they’re official) and info from Skull & Bones (mostly unofficial). We summarise the key points for you below.
In #SkullAndBones, there are 5 tiers of ships (small, medium, large etc.) and are categorized into three different categories. Cargo, Combat, and Exploration.
Unlocking different ships are tied to blueprints, which you can buy at different settlements. pic.twitter.com/TUf3mZIHdd
— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) September 15, 2021
Many ships: That ships play a central role in a pirate game is as clear as Caribbean water. However, Henderson states that there are five ranks and three types of sailors, from cargo ships to warships, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. Different ships are supposedly unlocked with blueprints bought in settlements. Then you need the right amount of resources.
Upgrades: To customise your ships even further, you will probably have various upgrades at your disposal, for example more cannons, flamethrowers and different types of ammunition. There will not only be optional weapons, but also storage crates, forges, additional armour, and so on. The upgrades are supposed to be attachable at any time, but they cost gold.
Customization: Henderson also writes that ship parts such as sails, steering wheel and sailor songs can be changed to your liking.
Map: The heart of the map should be the open sea. Logical as far as it goes. It supposedly takes about ten minutes of real time to sail from one coast to the opposite one with the fastest ship.
Multiplayer: Skull & Bones is still a multiplayer and co-op game, but according to Henderson it is now to be PvPvE, i.e. include battles against other players as well as NPCs. There are supposed to be several factions fighting each other.
Henderson does not give a release date, but writes that the game is making good progress. It is still far from completion. Skull & Bones is said to have gone back to the drawing board in 2020 and started development almost from scratch.
Investigations against developers
Skull & Bones is being developed by Ubisoft Singapore. The studio is currently under investigation by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices. It involves serious allegations by employees: Discrimination, sexual harassment, toxic corporate culture.
