A new alleged leak for the upcoming pirate simulator Skull and Bones reveals some of the game’s key gameplay details, including the game’s various ship sizes and categories, as well as gameplay progression and how exploration will work. Skull and Bones, which has been in development under Ubisoft’s Singapore studio, has had a long and troubled development cycle mired by leadership oustings, mismanagement, and complete design overhauls, just to name a few. However, the leak reports that the game is in “a decent spot” with playable combat.
The leak comes from prominent video game industry insider Tom Henderson, who posted a long thread via Twitter detailing the game’s main features. While some details—such as the Skull and Bones‘ ship customization system and weapons—have been known for a while now, information such as ship sizes and categories are new. Specifically, Henderson notes that there will be five tiers of ship sizes, as well as three different categories: Cargo, Combat, and Exploration. Furthermore, players will be able to unlock ships by purchasing blueprints at settlements and build them using various resources.
You can read Henderson’s full Twitter thread 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
Different ship sizes will also allow smaller ships to travel where larger ships cannot and faster travel, though likely at the expense of a smaller arsenal and less health. Players can also upgrade ships with additional weapons, armor, and inventory, as well as cosmetic items including the fan-favorite sea shanty feature from Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Don’t get your hopes up just yet, though; players will reportedly start with a raft and will have to complete quests and collect resources in order to build their first fully-fledged pirate ship. Unlike Black Flag, there is no land-based combat or special mechanics other than talking to NPCs.
Keep in mind that all of this is rumored information and should be taken with a grain of salt. Henderson does have a strong track record for leaks, however, but with the development difficulties the game has faced, this is always subject to change.
While the latest announcement from Ubisoft delayed Skull and Bones to a 2023 release date, fans are skeptical about the game’s development. Originally announced back in 2017, Ubisoft has delayed the game each year since, with recent reports saying that Skull and Bones has undergone an entire rebooted development. Insider reports allege that Ubisoft Singapore is also dealing with a culture of harassment and discrimination at the workplace, much like its sister studios abroad. Currently, Singapore’s national employment watchdog is investigating the allegations of abuse.
[Source: Twitter]
