Originally announced asBlack Flag Infinitein 2013, Ubisoft Singapore’sSkull and Boneshas undergone multiple iterations over its long development cycle. The project became infamous for itsnumerous changes in setting and scope, high rate of developer turnover, and exceeding its budget several times over. With so many problems, some might have wondered if Ubisoft’s multiplayer-focused pirate game would ever see the light of day.
However, the end finally seems to be in sight, withSkull and Bonesset for release on November 8. And while the game is also coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia, and Amazon Luna, the game comes with several features exclusive to the PC release.
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Ubisoft revealedSkull and Bones’ PC-exclusive features in a trailer recently. These include native support for both 4K HDR and ultra-widescreen monitors. The game also comes with ray-tracing, an uncapped FPS, and support for Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR graphics upscaling. The trailer also shows off the extensive graphics and performance options theupcomingSkull and Boneswill have on PC.
While the trailer focused mainly on the game’s features on PC, it also showcased some of what players will get up to inSkull and Bones’ version of the Indian Ocean. These include the epic naval battles that players expect and exploring exotic locals such as ancient temples, active volcanoes, and other impressive vistas. In addition, the trailer also shows off some ofSkull and Bones' in-game customization options, including various weapons and cosmetic upgrades for the player’s ship and captain.
Unfortunately for Ubisoft, the trailer did not see a particularly positive reception. As of this writing, the trailer’s most liked comment on YouTube compares features like graphics options and DSS in a AAA PC game to a survival game having crafting mechanics. While they are certainly nice things to have, they are also very much expected features and not something to brag about. Many of the other popular comments expressed similarly negative opinions aboutSkull and Bones, a game whose owndevelopers have reportedly criticized it for lacking depth. Of course, there were also several positive comments, but one could describe the overall reception as mixed at best.
Understandably, some people are unenthusiastic about Ubisoft’s upcoming pirate game. Last year, Kotaku published a deep dive onSkull and Bones’ troubled developmentand the dire situation at Ubisoft Singapore. The report described a project weighed down by low morale, poor direction, and repeatedly shifting goals, with developers comparing the project to BioWare’sAnthem. Hopefully,Skull and Boneswill overcome the challenges, but not everyone is optimistic about that possibility.
Skull and Bonesreleases on November 8 for Luna, PC, PS5, Stadia, and Xbox Series X/S.
