Ubisoft has announced that the next Ubisoft Forward showcase will put a "spotlight on" Skull & Bones, the upcoming pirate combat simulator that’s been in development for over eight years. The stream is set for July 7 at 11 AM PT."The show will start with a pre-show full of surprises starting at 7:45 PM CEST / 10.45 AM PT," reads the stream’s YouTube description, "and the main show will feature new gameplay, our unique take on piracy, and exclusive behind the scenes with developers."Skull & Bones has been in development for quite some time. Initially announced as a spinoff to Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, it has since evolved into its own standalone title. Extended periods of absolute silence regarding Skull & Bones development led many to expect the game's cancellation, especially after reports of multiple reboots internally. However, an alleged deal with the Singaporean government prevented Ubisoft from canceling the game outright.
Earlier this year, leaked alpha footage confirmed Skull & Bones was not only real, but also nearing the end of development. Ratings in the US, Australia, and Brazil confirmed Skull & Bones isd intended as a mature take on piracy as opposed to Sea of Thieves more cartoonish charm, and just last week a leak on the Xbox store hinted at a release date of November 8, 2022.
We’re expecting Thursday’s reveal to be at least partially based on the leaked alpha footage showcasing Skull & Bone’s naval combat and game mechanics, but hopefully Ubisoft expands on that leak in the showcase.
Ubisoft could really use a win right now. The French publisher recently reported the closure or cessation of multiplayer services for 15 legacy games, and it doesn’t have that many hits to replace them all. Skull & Bones could be just what Ubisoft needs to turn itself around.