Sea of Thieves developer Rare has shared some candid insights into the future of the beloved pirate-themed live-service game. This update comes just a week after the studio experienced significant layoffs and the cancellation of its highly anticipated project, Everwild. 
Despite these setbacks, Rare focused solely on Sea of Thieves during its latest Community Direct broadcast, revealing ambitious plans for the game’s future.
The studio is taking a new approach to content creation, with a revamped structure aimed at improving game quality and performance. Production Director Drew Stevens admitted that in the past, Rare often found itself “on the back foot,” struggling to react quickly to new challenges, whether related to game performance, cheating, or long-standing bugs. Moving forward, Rare is determined to make the game more reactive, proactive, and ultimately more consistent in delivering new content.
One of the major changes is the introduction of a new three-month content season model. Season 17, which will kick off with a smuggling focus, promises to breathe fresh life into the sandbox with new hideouts, Smugglers’ Runs shipping routes, and hidden cargo in shipwrecks and skeleton ships. The season will also feature live events, including a heist experience at Royal Crest Fortress and an intense defense and attack situation at Skeleton Forts, marked by the return of Captain Flameheart.
Beyond this, Rare is doubling down on future content, with plans for Season 18 to focus on the Devil’s Roar area and introduce the mysterious Dark Ancients faction. Players will uncover hidden shrines and engage with this new threat, offering exciting prospects for those invested in the game’s lore.
In an exciting new development, Sea of Thieves will introduce Custom Seas in early 2026. This feature will allow players to fully customize their experience with switches and toggles, adjusting everything from weather conditions to ship spawns. It will also include a cinematic camera, perfect for aspiring pirate filmmakers. This subscription-based service is designed to provide long-term funding for the feature, ensuring it evolves and thrives.
Rare’s commitment to Sea of Thieves extends far beyond seasonal updates. A “multi-year vision” is in place to grow the game’s scope, focusing on long-term opportunities. The next Community Direct will provide further details on this vision, promising more exciting announcements.
1 comment
Honestly, Rare has just been disappointing lately. Their games are getting worse and worse, and it feels like they’re stuck in a rut