Rare’s Pioneering Community Direct for Sea of Thieves
In a bold move that’s set to electrify the gaming community, Rare is hosting its first-ever Sea of Thieves Community Direct this Thursday at 3 PM UK / 10 AM ET. Gamers worldwide can tune in to catch the action via the dedicated video stream below.
The developer promises an exciting sneak peek into the next two seasons of Sea of Thieves, alongside significant changes to the Insider Programme. Attendees will be privy to details about a much-anticipated feature that’s been quietly simmering in the background.
Industry Shake-Ups Surrounding Rare
This announcement comes on the heels of a turbulent period for Rare, as the studio has seen the departure of a number of veteran developers amid Microsoft’s widespread layoffs. The wave of job cuts reportedly affects around 4% of Microsoft’s workforce, totaling approximately 9,100 employees.
Beyond the layoffs, the cancellation of Rare’s ambitious project Everwild has resonated deeply within the gaming community. Following its initial announcement in November 2019 and a trailer drop in July 2020, updates on the title have been nothing short of sparse. Earlier this year, gaming chief Phil Spencer reassured fans that “progress” was still being made, but that does little to quell the disappointment.
The final blow comes with the news that executive producer Louise O’Connor, a seasoned Rare veteran known for her work on classics like Conker’s Bad Fur Day, will also be moving on. In light of these changes, the community is left to wonder how these shifts will impact Rare’s future projects.
As Rare rolls out its community direct, all eyes will be on how these developments shape the beloved Xbox franchise. Will the new seasons deliver fresh content and excitement? Or will they find themselves navigating turbulent waters in the wake of significant internal changes?