Sea of Thieves is about to set sail on an exciting new adventure with the announcement of paid custom servers coming in early 2026. This move, unveiled during the game’s inaugural community direct, promises to elevate the gameplay experience significantly.
These custom servers, dubbed “Custom Seas,” will allow players to create private environments for their adventures. Notably, these servers will come with exclusive tools, including a cinematic camera akin to what developers use for creating trailers. While Rare hasn’t disclosed specific pricing information, they acknowledged the high operational costs of supporting this feature, indicating it will likely require a monthly fee.
Shaking Up the Seasons
Alongside this announcement, Rare is also revamping the game’s seasonal model. They’ve recognized that the game’s momentum has slowed, and as a result, Season 17 will introduce a new three-month structure, breaking up gameplay into distinct monthly focuses.
The first month is geared towards “reinvigorating the sandbox game,” offering a fresh take on the game’s core elements. The second month will shine a spotlight on live events, while the final month will center heavily around community engagement. This triadic approach aims to enhance player interaction and keep the excitement alive.
Challenges Behind the Scenes
These developments come on the heels of significant changes at Rare, including the loss of veteran developers due to recent layoffs at Microsoft. The cancellation of the much-anticipated project Everwild has raised eyebrows, especially with executive producer Louise O’Connor, a long-standing figure since the days of Conker’s Bad Fur Day, also departing the team.
Initially teased in November 2019, Everwild saw very little substantial information released over the years, despite promises of progress from Xbox chief Phil Spencer earlier this year. This all highlights a complex landscape for Rare as they navigate both exciting innovations and challenging transitions.