Rare has announced its first-ever Sea of Thieves Community Direct broadcast, marking a pivotal moment for the long-running pirate adventure game. The livestream will take place on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 3 pm UK time, offering fans a closer look at both the upcoming seasons and the future direction of the game.
The timing of this event is notable, occurring just a week after Microsoft’s recent round of layoffs, which significantly impacted Rare’s team.
Microsoft’s layoffs, part of a wider restructuring affecting around 9,100 employees, led to the cancellation of Rare’s highly anticipated project, Everwild, after nearly a decade of development. The cuts have also resulted in the departure of key staff members, including veteran Gregg Mayles, a blow to Rare’s creative force. Despite these setbacks, Sea of Thieves continues to thrive, maintaining a robust community and releasing regular content updates that keep its pirate world alive and exciting.
The Community Direct will delve into what’s coming in the game’s upcoming seasons and provide insight into major Insider Programme changes. One highlight teased by Rare is a much-requested feature that has been quietly under development, though the exact details remain a mystery. This move comes as a relief to fans, especially considering the turbulence Rare has faced recently.
Sea of Thieves has become one of Rare’s most successful titles, enjoying a healthy fanbase that has supported the game since its launch in 2018 on PC and Xbox. The game’s success only grew when it launched on PlayStation in 2024, topping the charts shortly after its release. Rare’s ongoing commitment to the game stands in contrast to some of its other high-profile cancellations, like Everwild and the Perfect Dark remake, both of which were recently axed by Microsoft. While the restructuring may have been deemed necessary by Xbox chief Phil Spencer, for many, it represents the loss of great potential and creative freedom.
The future of Sea of Thieves is uncertain in the broader context of Rare’s place within the Xbox ecosystem. With some fans lamenting the studio’s shift to becoming a ‘DLC factory’ for the live-service game, others wonder what could have been if Rare’s rich library of IPs, such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker, were given more attention and care. As one comment pointed out, Rare’s potential seems wasted, especially considering the studio’s pedigree in creating iconic titles.
The Community Direct broadcast promises to provide clarity about the game’s future while offering fans a direct connection to Rare’s core team. But given the wider context of layoffs and project cancellations, it’s hard not to wonder if Sea of Thieves will remain a beacon of success for Rare or become another example of a studio fighting for its future.
1 comment