He noted that the long development time for Skull and Bones likely came down to the fact that its studio, Ubisoft Singapore, lacked the development experience required to work on the mechanic at that scale. Founded in 2008, Ubisoft Singapore was largely a support studio for other teams, having helped in the development of titles like Assassin’s Creed 2 and onwards.

“Ideas have a window, and that’s another reason we’re trying to do things faster this time,” said Hutchinson. “They age out and become stale. I think the team was junior. They were trying to essentially make Black Flag crossed with World of Tanks or World of Warships. But I don’t think they had experience in that. And then they didn’t really have experience in making even an Assassin’s Creed game down there, because they really did co-development. And then I think it just got away from them.”

Hutchinson went on to describe the excursions that French and Canadian Ubisoft employees would have to go on to provide in-person support at Ubisoft Singapore as year-long vacations. He believes that this attitude ultimately resulted in the lack of a growing talent pool at the studio, describing these employees as not being serious about its growth.

“For a lot of the French or Canadian developers, they would go down to Singapore for a year’s holiday,” he said. “They weren’t going down there to make that studio huge. They were like, ‘Oh, that’d be fun to work for a year in Singapore.’ I don’t think they were serious. And you couldn’t get as many people, the talent pool just wasn’t deep enough.”

Skull and Bones was announced all the way back in 2017. It would go on to have an lengthy development cycle before ultimately coming out in February 2024. While it was originally believed to be a multiplayer-focused take on the sailing and naval combat mechanics from Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, reports at the time indicated that it had gone through many changes in direction and scope. One report has indicated that development originally started in 2013 as an expansion to Black Flag.

The launch of Skull and Bones was ultimately met with a lukewarm reception, with many noting that it offered a bland gameplay experience. The fact that Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot had referred to the game as being a quadruple-A release certainly didn’t help matters.

“You will see that Skull and Bones is a fully-fledged game,” he said in his attempts to defend its $70 price tag. “It’s a very big game, and we feel that people will really see how vast and complete that game is. It’s a really full, triple… quadruple-A game, that will deliver in the long run.”

Skull and Bones is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

It will seemingly include new points of interest, PvP modes and World Tiers. Ubisoft is also allegedly looking into premium crossover events – a trend among live service titles like Overwatch 2 and Fortnite. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is apparently one such event, planned for when the alleged remake arrives.

As for why it’s receiving more content, this is allegedly due to Ubisoft “fully” committing to support. Despite the relatively poor launch, current player numbers will apparently “surprise people,” though Henderson couldn’t verify them independently.

Time will tell if Year 2 plans for the title pan out, so stay tuned for updates. Skull and Bones is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Check out our review here.

There are even studios like Ubisoft Montpellier (currently working on Beyond Good and Evil 2), Ubisoft Montreal (Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake) and Ubisoft Singapore (Skull and Bones). While past Ubisoft projects have had multiple studios as support, Assassin’s Creed Shadows probably has the highest amount at 15.

Launching on November 15th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC (including day one on Ubisoft+), Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in late Sengoku era Japan. Shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke team up to combat injustice and corruption in society while pursuing their own goals. Check out the trailer breakdown here for more details.

Alternatively, you can save time and check out their below with the expected rewards.

All Treasure Maps and Where They Lead

How to Get Legendary Maps

Legendary Maps are found in the Cutthroat Cargo PvP events. They become available early on, but tackle them in the endgame. Head to the location in question to get the map and follow its instructions (randomized each time) to find the treasure. Other players can attack and attempt to take the map, so be warned. You’re safe on disembarking at the treasure’s location.

Skull and Bones is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Check out our review here.

The past month hasn’t been nearly as kind for such titles. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a culmination of years of rumors and reports, emerging as another tedious live-service looter shooter averaging a little over 2,000 daily players on Steam. At least they’re adding The Joker in March.

Then there’s Skull and Bones. Where do we even begin? Skull and Bones was slated for launch in the latter half of 2018 but faced a delay to 2019. From there, a whopping six additional delays occurred until it finally launched on February 16th, 2024. From development on Xbox One, PC and PS4 to finally arriving an entire generation (and a dead Google Stadia) later, it’s received lukewarm reviews. Granted, only 18 critics have weighed in per Opencritic, and some positive impressions are certainly out there, just like some enjoy playing the game.

However, the general mood doesn’t seem to be anger or shock at all the years of development to deliver what is, at best, a bland experience. If anything, claiming it to be a quadruple-A title that justifies its $70 price tag probably elicited more outrage. Much like the game, the consensus feels like one big “meh.”

It’s crazy due to the reportedly chaotic nature of development. Senior staff members came and went. The original vision saw several reboots and setting changes – at one point, it reportedly played more like a land-based survival game. As of July 2021, sources told Kotaku’s Ethan Gach that the project had cost over $120 million to develop. With nearly three years of additional development afterwards, the cost likely spiked even higher. The term “too big to fail” was reportedly bandied about. The developer couldn’t just cancel or launch the title – it needed some return on its investment.

Perhaps it expected a live-service juggernaut providing years of recurring revenue (just like the many cancelled battle royale games it reportedly had in development). The greatest irony is that despite the amount of time and effort invested, it’s now available at a time when live-service games are more reviled than revered.

Is this a consequence of not chasing trends fast enough? Poor management that muddled what could have been a straightforward project? A structure that just never fell into place? The upper hierarchy rapidly shifting goals and redefining what it thought the game should be?

Maybe it’s all of the above. The current version could be assembled from existing assets and systems, with everything coming together in the past few years (which would line up with the developer proclaiming a “new vision” in September 2020). However, here’s another possible issue on top of everything else – it was probably meant for mobile at some point.

All the signs are there. The starting screen tells you to press a button to rule the high seas, which could easily have been “Tap the screen to rule the high seas!” The constant, annoying pop-ups that cover your screen and inventory, informing you of Cutthroat Cargo, Legendary Heist and Hostile Takeover opportunities.

The multitudes of resources and currency. The timers on the end game Manufactories which encourage checking in every few hours to maximize earnings. The tedious amounts of sailing that an auto-sail option would have probably mitigated. The lack of immersive elements like interacting with crewmates or operating the cannons and sails yourself.

There have been no reports or official confirmation of Skull and Bones ever being in development for mobile devices – it’s just an observation. However, even if it were true, it wouldn’t have survived in today’s market. Not because it doesn’t have the design principles, monetization practices or free-to-play structure of its biggest competitors but because the bar is set so much higher in terms of polish and overall quality.

Perhaps the developer thought that these kinds of tactics are what constitutes a valid end game. Maybe the development team implemented these to have players return in the first month or so, showcasing a strong monthly active user count and justifying further support. It could even explain away the story, which feels like an afterthought, or some elements of the interface, which translate well to mobile.

Whatever the case may be, it’s an amalgam of questionable decisions. The open world feels like little more than a vehicle to assign tasks to the player – no attempts at compelling side characters, with some of the best writing relegated to letters and notes you pick up and forget about. Despite this, the aesthetic and art design are solid, even if the locations are little more than backdrops.

The gameplay may be simple, with some of the most repetitive objectives available, but combat and sailing feel decent and even fun sometimes. It’s like there are two or three visions, pulling in multiple directions, trying desperately to make something but never being allowed to succeed, much less combine into one cohesive package.

Skull and Bones probably could have become something more in the right direction. It’s difficult to say whether removing the live service elements would allow it to thrive since extensive work is needed to expand on what’s currently there. As is usually the case, Skulls and Bones could introduce some compelling stories, maybe revamp the gameplay from the ground up and turn it into an immersive experience. We’ve seen these overhauls before from Ghost Recon Breakpoint, The Division, and Rainbow Six Siege.

However, it’s the game’s soul which presents the biggest challenge. It isn’t quite a realistic ship combat game, nor does it fully jump the shark and embrace fantasy. The live service elements aren’t the draw, but neither is anything else.

Skull and Bones is a title pretending to capture the freedom and conflict that defined the Golden Age of Piracy, yet delivering an uninspired and ultimately inconsequential experience. While it will likely be forgotten in a few months (if even that), it won’t even be remembered as the biggest live service flop of February, and that is truly tragic.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Effectively farming requires some grinding, especially since Pieces of Eight are needed to purchase blueprints for weapons and hull defense, not to mention cosmetics, from the Black Market. Here’s how to farm them quickly and get rich quickly.

How to Farm Pieces of Eight

Take Over Manufactories in the Same Region

Manufactories are captured through Hostile Takeovers – the color of the zone during the activity indicates PvE (blue) and PvP (red). Once you’ve taken it over, the Manufactory will produce Contraband and passively accrue Pieces of Eight, which must be picked up and deposited back at the Pirate Den. Each Manufactory has a storage limit, so you must pick up the present amount, or they won’t produce any more Pieces.

It’s worth noting that PvP Takeovers provide opportunities to produce more expensive Contraband, which generates more Pieces of Eight hourly. Regardless, take over Manufactories near a Pirate Den. However, you should also seek to capture several in the same region since this provides a bonus to production.

Take Over Linked Manufactories

When capturing a Manufactory, check its linked trade route. By capturing the adjoining Manufactory, you gain a small bonus to production, which stacks with the regional bonus. For example, Fonderie Royale and Guerande are linked together and close to Sainte-Anne, one of the two Pirate Dens. Capture those on priority if an opportunity arises.

Helm Upgrades

Helm Upgrades are also essential since they’ll provide different bonuses, like unlocking the option to produce more valuable Contraband. Other options include reducing the time to secure a Helm Chest by 10 seconds, increasing the base profits of Manufactories run by different factions (which synergizes if you have multiple in the same region) and more. These also cost Pieces of Eight and reset at the end of each season, but add up to more profits in the long run.

Skull and Bones is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC – check out our review here. You can also check out some beginner tips and tricks and how to farm Silver – essential for funding your Manufactories.

As you progress further into the game, Silver is also used to fund your Manufactories to earn Pieces of Eight and purchase raw materials for contraband. Long story short, you’re going to need a lot. Here’s how to quickly farm it.

How to Farm Silver

Attack Ships

The easiest way to get Silver is to take others, so attack opposing ships to earn some and board them for additional amounts. The more challenging the opponent, the more Silver they’ll have, so targeting Elite Captains and World Events alongside higher-ranked ships is encouraged. Alternatively, check trade routes and rob merchant ships since they won’t put up much of a fight.

Hostile Takeovers can also provide a decent amount of Silver in the end game due to the number of ships to destroy. Chests of Silver can also drop now and again, so open them for a few hundred pieces, further supplanting your income.

Sell High

As you sink and board opposing ships, you’ll gain commodities – materials with no intrinsic use outside of selling (though some Contracts require delivering certain types to NPCs). Before going to the nearest vendor, check the World Map and region for highly demanded commodities.

They’ll sell for much higher and provide additional Silver. Interacting with a vendor will also indicate sought-after commodities with a green arrow pointing up. Conversely, be careful not to sell your commodities to places where they’re not in demand (denoted by a red arrow pointing down).

Complete Contracts

It seems obvious, but Contracts also provide Silver. If you’re running low, try visiting the Contracts Board in Pirate Dens and taking on a few to earn some. They’re not great for earning Infamy, so try to focus on those provided by NPCs in various settlements or vendors since they can also contain other rewards.

Skull and Bones is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Check out our review and some more tips and tricks here.

Add Skull and Bones, the naval combat/pirate title, which reportedly began development in 2013, revealed at E3 2017 and faced multiple delays through the years. Rumors claim several reboots and a budget that exceeded $120 million, yet despite allegedly being “too big to fail,” getting to launch seemed like a monumental task for the developer.

Nevertheless, on February 16th, Skull and Bones is finally out on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC (barring any other last-minute delays). Here’s what you should expect before embarking on the maiden voyage of this nightmarish project.

Outposts

You’ll visit several locations throughout the various regions of Skull and Bones, including Forts and Settlements, but Pirate Dens will become a common haunt for players. They’re like social hubs for players and allow for taking on Contracts and accessing different vendors, from Shipwrights to Blacksmiths. You even meet the local Kingpin and must earn their trust to further your pirate journey.

Progression

Infamy is the core method of progression through the game, which you have to rank up to unlock different ships, blueprints, weapons and more. It even grants access to improved tools, speeding up the task of material gathering and offering a chance for bonus gains.

Contracts and World Events

You don’t have much from the outset, so taking on contracts to gain Infamy is key. Contracts are like quests and range from treasure-seeking to transportation and even assaulting merchant ships (though they take longer when playing solo). Multiple Contracts can be taken simultaneously, with higher-tier Contracts offering better rewards. There are also World Events – quests that spawn in the world and which several players can join and involve tackling challenges like looting a convoy before it reaches the destination.

Sailing Physics

Aside from exploring the Pirate Dens and other hubs on foot, Skull and Bones doesn’t offer a whole lot outside of your ship when exploring, but it does try to make the sailing realistic. Buoyancy and drag affect a ship’s physics, causing each to control differently, while wind direction and cargo weight can also impact their handling.

Ship Types

Players won’t just have one ship they commandeer throughout Skull and Bones. There are various types you’re encouraged to use, and their blueprints are available as your Infamy rises (though you still need to buy and craft it). Each ship has different loadouts, like the number of gunports on the Bow, Broadside and Stern, Furniture slots and more, not to mention cargo capacity, stamina, etc.

Ship Perks

Each ship also has a dedicated Perk. For example, the Brigantine is equipped with Bullhorn, which increases damage from ramming and the Flooded status for damage over time and a slowing effect. Meanwhile, the Padewakang is about explosions and more damage to structures. Knowing the ideal ship for the job is important, but it can also affect exploration since smaller ships can sail inland through rivers.

Weather Systems

Like in real life, the ocean can go from peaceful to dangerous in a heartbeat. Different weather will affect your ship, whether it’s rain or supercell storms – the latter can damage your ship, reduce visibility and flood the deck. Equipping your vessel to withstand it all while having enough resources to fight back in case of an ambush is important.

Combat and Weapon Types

There are various weapon families throughout Skull and Bones, each dealing different kinds of damage like crushing, tearing, explosive and so on. Different Mortar types can either deal explosive damage from afar with a long projectile travel time or even repair allied ships. Giant Ballistas deal extensive damage from afar but have a charge time, while Demi-Cannons fire faster but are best suited for fighting up close. It’s best to find the ideal loadout for your playstyle but knowing what your enemy uses and the best ways to work around it is also key.

Fury

Of course, it’s not enough to bombard, bludgeon and outright bully enemy ships. Your crew can also build up Fury to launch a crew-to-crew attack, which is the best way to obtain all of an enemy ship’s cargo. Unfortunately, this will only be a cutscene at launch, though the developer told TrueAchievemnts in July 2022 that it’s “meant to be a mastery level of combat, so it would be interesting to see how it evolves as the game evolves.”

Ship Customization

Customization is more than just cosmetic – attachments include different types of armor against the various damage types. Major Furniture offers extensive boosts in power, but you can only equip one at a time. Minor Furniture offers smaller buffs, making crew attacks easier or providing utilities like increased cargo capacity.

PvP and PvE Only Servers

Right out of the gate, there will be PvE and PvP-only servers for players to jump into. The former allows up to three players to take on AI enemies (who become tougher but drop more loot based on the group size), while the latter makes it so that other players can either team with or attack you.

Post-Launch Plans

Skull and Bones will have extensive post-launch support for “many years to come” per the developer in July 2022. These include new World Events, group-focused events, ships, furniture, weapons, etc. Raids and dynamic events, like stealing from merchant ships, have also been discussed, and players can expect a seasonal structure overall.

$60 on PC, $70 on Consoles

As you may expect in this day and age, Skull and Bones is $70 on Xbox Series X/S and PS5. Microtransactions and battle passes sold separately, of course. However, if you pick it up on PC, whether through Connect or the Epic Games Store, it’s $60. The difference in pricing is a mystery, but if you want it for $10 less and have a decent PC, it’s worth noting.

Crossplay

Regardless of your platform of choice, crossplay is supported between all platforms. You can invite players through uPlay or even in-game to join and embark on adventures together. While the game is fully playable solo, crossplay should at least ensure a wider player pool when exploring the world.

PC Requirements

Skull and Bones requires Windows 10 or 11, DirectX 12, a solid-state drive and 65 GB of installation space. Minimum requirements include an Intel i7 4790 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, an Nvidia GTX 1060 6 GB or AMD RX 570 8 G GB, and 8 GB RAM in a dual-channel setup. This delivers 1080p/30 FPS at Low settings.

The recommended requirements include an Intel i7 8700k or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, an RTX 2070 8 GB or RX 5700XT 8 GB, and 16 GB RAM for 1080p/60 FPS at High settings. For 1440p/60 FPS at Ultra settings, you need an Intel i7 9700K or AMD Ryzen5 5600X, an RTX 3070 8GB or RX 6800 16 GB, and 16 GB RAM. Finally, for 2160p/60 FPS at Ultra settings, an Intel i5 11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, an RTX 3080 10 GB or RX 6800 XT 16 GB and 16 GB RAM.

Set in the Indian Ocean during the Golden Age of Piracy, the region is “one of the most culturally rich and biodiverse.” Singapore’s sunsets and tropical storms helped “tremendously” when entering the visual concepting stage. However, the development team also spent time understanding the lifestyles of that period, which “informed the distinct look and feel of the different regions in the game.”

Locations like the Red Isle are also inspired by real-world countries like Madagascar. There’s plenty to discover, including wildlife like lemurs and hippos in the wetlands off the coast of Africa to the cliffs and vegetation of the East Indies’ cliffs.

Sainte Anne is the first Pirate Den players will explore, but other outposts exist throughout the in-game world. One of these, the Lost City of Prey, is “loosely based on a remnant of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.”

Skull and Bones is available February 16th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Head here for more details on its post-launch roadmap.

Starting February 7th at 6 PM PT and ending on February 11th at 3 PM PT, pre-loads for the open beta starting on February 6th at 1 AM PT.  Players can explore the Coast of Africa, Sainte-Anne’s pirate den in Red Isle, the Open Seas and the East Indies, where Telok Penjarah, another pirate den, awaits. You can take on Contracts, but it’s not possible to progress past Brigand rank.

However, you can explore freely while the beta is live with World Events and other activities to experience. Cross-play is also enabled, allowing different platforms to play together.

Skull and Bones launches on February 16th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Head here for more details on post-launch plans, which include new Takeover opportunities, World Events and Pirate Lords.