A Shaky Voyage
In the choppy seas of live service games, Skull and Bones appears to be drifting towards the abyss. Despite its reported commitment to Year 2 support, the game’s player base seems to be tragically low, with Steam charts showing an average of under 200 concurrent players in the last month. That’s not to say it’s a bad game; our review suggests there’s merit in its naval escapades, but alas, it feels like the ship has sailed.
Live-Service Struggles
The core issue isn’t the pirate theme wrapped in live-service trappings. Unlike the beloved Sea of Thieves or the classic Black Flag, where vibrant characters and immersive exploration reign supreme, Skull and Bones has succumbed to a more niche appeal. It’s underscored by the somewhat dubious claim of being a “quadruple-A game”—a statement that many gamers might now regard with a wry smile.
Future Horizons?
Ubisoft isn’t ready to abandon Skull and Bones yet. Reports from Inside Gaming hint at plans for future content in Year 2. However, the lingering question remains: how many hearty pirates will still be manning their ships when the new loot drops? History has shown us that many online games, such as Titanfall 2 and Battlefield, found their sea legs long after their launches. Will Skull and Bones summon similar resolve, or will it succumb to the murky depths of gaming history?
