The popular pirate-adventure is here with more cool updates, and we’re totally in for them! Looting treasure, fighting sea monsters, and co-op and PvP are what make the game such a gem. Now the game is set to bring gamers more adventure. A Sea of Thieves Community Direct took place on 10 July 2025, where more updates from devs were given, and a lot about the game’s future was revealed. Details about Sea of Thieves Season 17 and 18 were also provided, along with a new Seasonal structure. Let’s discuss it!
Looking Back
- Sandbox got better: Recent Seasons focused on adding more tools and fun ways to play.
- More updates from devs: Developer Update videos returned, hosted by Drew Stevens.
- Community Directs every 6 months: This video format will now happen twice a year.
- Game issues acknowledged: Devs admit they need to improve game performance, cheating response, and listen to players more.
Looking Forward
- Insider Programme changes: NDA removed, players can now talk, stream, and post about Insider builds.
- Seasonal surveys: Insiders will get regular surveys to share feedback.
- Insider Programme reboot in 2026: It’ll become more fun and rewarding.
Storytelling
- More consistent storytelling: Stories will now be spread out across a Season, and not just at the start.
Team Structure & Seasons
- More focus on game health: A Bigger team now works on fixing bugs, stability, and cheating.
- New Seasonal structure:
- Month 1: Sandbox features + worldbuilding.
- Month 2: Big live Event with lore.
- Month 3: Final push with sandbox refresh and catch-up time.
- Regular Events:
- Community Weekend in Month 1.
- Gold & Glory in Month 3.
Season 17 Highlights
Sea of Thieves is launching in August 2025 and will include the following:
- Theme: The Smugglers’ League joins the game.
- New features:
- Smugglers’ Hideouts
- New loot types
- Smugglers’ Runs
- Big Events:
- Month 2: Heist Event
- Month 3: Skeleton Fort update
- Rare’s 40th Anniversary Community Weekend
- End-of-season Gold & Glory
Season 18 Tease
- Focus on Devil’s Roar: More Emissary and region-based content.
- New features:
- Ancient Shrines
- Expanded Smuggler gameplay
- Big live Event (details coming later)
Custom Servers (Coming Early 2026)
- Premium subscription feature.
- What you can do:
- Set up private custom games.
- Spawn loot and enemies.
- Turn off AI enemies.
- Use cinematic camera mode.
- Play with friends in private fleets (Safer Seas style).
Upcoming Projects
- Bigger projects in the works:
- Pirate Legend experience
- Ship overhauls
- World updates
- Progression system changes
- Dedicated team: These updates won’t affect regular Season content.
Summary
So, the devs, Rare Ltd, have now promised a Community Direct every 6 months where they will provide exclusive updates on both ongoing and future events. The seasons will now have a proper structure, and regular events will take place. Sea of Thieves Seasons 17 and 18 were surely the highlights of the Direct, and gamers were glad to receive so many fresh updates. Apart from this, the team has bigger projects in the works, like world updates and progression system changes. We’re excited to see what’s coming!
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