Ubisoft’s new game about the Golden Age of Piracy, Skull and Bones, is set to come out on February 16, 2024. We are finally getting close to the release date, but there are still many details that we don’t know about. For instance, is Skull and Bones free-to-play? Or do we have to buy the game to start setting sail? Let’s talk about that.
Inspired by the Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag by the same developer, this game was among the most anticipated games of the last few years. Skull and Bones was supposed to be released in late 2018 — however, lots of unfortunate delays made the fate of this game unclear. But we finally have some conclusive information, and we cannot wait to share them with you.
Is Skull and Bones Free-to-Play?
Unfortunately, Skull and Bones is not a free-to-play game. To access the game, you must purchase it physically or digitally. Or, you may use the help of subscription services.
According to the official website of the Ubisoft Store, the standard edition of Skull and Bones is priced at $59.99. However, if you want more content, you should purchase the premium edition, which is $89.99.
Though there is no Skull and Bones free-to-play option, alternative ways exist other than purchasing the game directly. If you do not want to buy the full game on its release, you might also want to check out Ubisoft’s subscription service. You can opt to access this game through Ubisoft+ — but you will have to pay $14.99 monthly and get three days of early access.
Does Skull and Bones Have Battle Pass?
Yes, Skull and Bones has a battle pass system. It is called Smuggler Pass Token and is only made available to you if you purchase the premium edition of Skull and Bones.
This is not the only difference between the two different editions. While the standard edition only includes the base game, the premium edition includes Smuggler Pass Token, three days of early access, a premium bonus pack, two extra missions, the artbook, and the soundtrack album.
Does Skull and Bones Have Microtransactions?
Since there is no Skull and Bones free-to-play edition, you might think there are no microtransactions either. Well, that’s not the case. Microtransactions were disabled for the closed beta of Skull and Bones — however, they will be included in the final game.
In his 2017 interview, creative director Justin Farren confirmed there would be “Treasure chests”, like the controversial loot boxes, but the game would not be a pay-to-win.
Like any Ubisoft game, we suspect the microtransactions will mainly be for cosmetic enhancements. However, it is also important to note that this is still a question mark. We will not have a final answer until the game is fully released.
Final Thoughts
It’s a good thing there’s no Skull and Bones free-to-play edition. Similar games, including Sea of Thieves, are also sold for a certain fee. This way, there is no need for ridiculous in-game purchases. But this situation may not last forever. Maybe we’re talking about a game like Overwatch that will become free over time.
We are ready to sail the seas with Skull and Bones. Like a ship drifting on the ocean, we will also see where this game is going to lead us in the future.
Is the Skull and Bones free-to-play model only a fantasy for us, or will this model take over in a couple of years? There is no way to know for sure. In the meantime, check whether your system can run Skull and Bones.
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