Ubisoft Singapore’s Skull and Bones was announced back at E3 in 2017. Its initial announcement garnered heavy appeal, but since then there’s not been a lot revealed about the upcoming game. The current prediction for Skull and Bones’ release is sometime after March 2021, so that doesn’t narrow down a date either. Skull and Bones' development stage isn’t all a mystery, though, as the developer revealed that the game had taken on a different vision compared to what was previously advertised. There are a number of things this could mean, but it may especially affect the player character.
When first announced, Skull and Bones showed that players can create their own pirate captain and customize their appearance. However, it was also later revealed that players would spend the entirety of the game ship-locked with an emphasis on combat above anything else. Now that the game has taken on a “new vision,” it’s possible that the customizable player captain could play an even bigger role now. In fact, it would be one of the best outcomes possible.
The Importance of a Customizable Captain
While Skull and Bones hasn’t been announced as an RPG game, the new vision for the game could incorporate many traditional RPG elements. The original plan of having players be ship-locked for the game seemed to underutilize the possibilities that a customizable captain provides. Having a customizable player character is one of the core aspects of many RPG games because it lets players fine-tune how they look in-game and connect with their avatar. A captain that can be customized to fit players’ aesthetic and physicality is a fantastic addition to Skull and Bones, but not properly utilized in its gameplay reveals.
Customizable player characters add an extra layer of connection in video games. While games, especially RPGs, need a good storyline to propel players to want to play more, there’s a personal experience that comes with crafting a character. Players can put their own personality and looks into their creation, or make someone who’s nothing like them. It’s all about creativity and immersion, which is crucial for an RPG experience. Skull and Bones may not have been an RPG upon the first gameplay previews, but it definitely has the opportunity to evolve into one.
What a Skull and Bones Captain Could Do
It’s promising news that Skull and Bones has taken on a different vision than what Ubisoft Singapore initially planned on because many players were underwhelmed. The game promised an interesting single-player campaign full of memorable pirate characters, but many players questioned how this would be executed. Not to mention that, upon initial first impressions, Skull and Bones didn’t seem to accurately capture the pirate fantasy. A customizable captain was a step in the right direction, but being ship-locked meant lots of customization for little return.
A lot of the time, players like creating highly detailed, well-thought-out player characters because they like to see their avatars in action. Despite Skull and Bones being inspired by Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, it seemed it took out the most adventurous parts of being a pirate. Crafting an RPG Skull and Bones experience that allows players both naval and land combat would let players further connect with their custom captain. Without that kind of gameplay change, it’s possible that players won’t be as invested in Skull and Bones and could end up like Anthem — EA’s looter shooter endeavor whose updates have now been canceled.
Only time and more development will reveal what Skull and Bones has planned for its release. Until then, it seems players will wait on bated breath for more information about the upcoming pirate game.
Skull and Bones is currently in development for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.