Ahoy, pirates of the digital seas! Rare, the studio behind the popular shared-world adventure game Sea of Thieves, has charted a new course, announcing the upcoming introduction of a subscription service. Revealed during a recent Community Direct video stream, this paid tier is set to launch in early 2026 and promises to deliver a highly requested feature: custom servers.
For years, players have navigated the unpredictable waters of Sea of Thieves, where emergent encounters with both AI adversaries and rival player crews are part of the core experience. While this dynamic environment can lead to thrilling moments, it also means that a peaceful voyage or a planned session with friends can quickly devolve into unexpected combat.
The forthcoming subscription aims to address this by offering access to `private customisable sandboxes`. These custom servers will allow players to create their own instances of the game world, complete with adjustable options for loot spawns and enemy types. Crucially, they will also support `Safer Seas Fleets`, enabling players to invite only their chosen companions, effectively creating a private, belligerent-rando-free zone for sailing, exploring, or perhaps just practising cannons without external interruption. Think of it as building your own little corner of the Sea of Thieves, tailored precisely to your crew`s needs.
While custom servers are the marquee feature announced so far, Rare indicated that the subscription will include other, as-yet-unspecified `benefits`. The price point for this new service has not been disclosed at this time, so captains looking to control their destiny will need to keep their eyes peeled for future announcements regarding the cost.
The context surrounding this announcement is notable. Recent times at Rare have seen their share of squalls, including significant layoffs across Microsoft`s studios and the reported cancellation of the studio`s other project, Everwild, alongside the reported departure of veteran creative director Gregg Mayles. Interestingly, the Community Direct video, which ran for nearly an hour, focused entirely on the health and future of Sea of Thieves, not addressing these challenging internal developments directly. A strategic decision, perhaps, to keep the focus squarely on the horizon for the game.
Beyond the subscription news, the developers detailed upcoming content. Season 17 is on the horizon, introducing a new faction known as The Smugglers` League and fresh loot. A shift to a more monthly content cadence for seasons was also highlighted, moving away from dropping all new features at the season`s start. Season 17 specifically will roll out the Smugglers` League in month one, a live `heist` event in month two, and a refresh of the game`s Skeleton Forts in month three. A brief glimpse was also offered for Season 18, which is slated to focus on the notoriously perilous Devil`s Roar region.
In a move designed to foster closer ties with the community, Rare is also lifting the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) previously covering the Insider Programme. This program grants players early access to preview builds of upcoming game updates. The developers described this as a foundational step towards more open dialogue with the player base, allowing Insiders to discuss upcoming features publicly and potentially influencing development more directly.
Despite navigating some rough patches recently, the crew at Rare appears committed to proving that Sea of Thieves still has plenty of wind in its sails, aiming to keep players engaged and exploring the high seas for the foreseeable future, whether they prefer the chaotic open world or their own private haven.
Callum Darby