Summary
- Ubisoft has provided an updated release window for the long-delayed pirate game Skull and Bones, planning for its launch in the first several months of 2024.
- The game has faced multiple delays and development issues, but Ubisoft remains dedicated to making it a reality.
- Ubisoft's cost reduction plan and staff reductions may further impact the development of Skull and Bones and other projects in the future.
An updated release window for the frequently delayed pirate game Skull and Bones has been provided by Ubisoft. The status of Skull and Bones is nebulous even at the best of times, given the game's past development issues. But Ubisoft has remained wholly dedicated to making the project a reality. While it's entirely possible that Skull and Bones could be further delayed in the future, right now Ubisoft has an increasingly clear picture of when the game should be launching.
The last that was heard of release plans for Skull and Bones was that it was delayed into its now-current fiscal year. At that point, Skull and Bones was assumed to have been planned for late summer or fall 2023. The most recent delay was specifically said to have been for polish and balance changes. The time since has apparently persuaded Ubisoft that Skull and Bones need more time, however. That's potentially due to the reception of a Skull and Bones closed beta held in August.
Skull and Bones Has Lost Its Third Creative Director
After an already long and troubled development process, Ubisoft's upcoming pirate game Skull and Bones has lost its third creative director.
On Thursday, Ubisoft issued earnings figures for the first half of its 2023-2024 fiscal year. As part of its reporting, Ubisoft confirmed that Skull and Bones is planned to be released in the first several months of 2024. That would be the later quarter of Ubisoft's current fiscal year, meaning this isn't quite a delay so much as a more specific idea of current plans.
The future of Skull and Bones and Ubisoft remains tumultuous, regardless of current plans. Ubisoft also confirmed that it had reduced staff by more than 1,300 employees as part of its cost reduction plan over the past year. That plan is ongoing, meaning the development of some projects could yet be further impacted by Ubisoft layoffs and limited recruitment.
Skull and Bones isn't the only game making adjustments to prior release plans. Ubisoft also confirmed that an unannounced "big" project previously planned to launch this fiscal year had been delayed. It's now scheduled to launch sometime after March next year. Speculation hints that it could be either Star Wars Outlaws or a new Far Cry.
As a new IP, Skull and Bones already had a difficult path ahead of it to build up an audience and maintain success long-term. The multiple substantial delays have helped Skull and Bones' name become familiar, but in trade, there's little anticipation built for the project. If Skull and Bones launches in early 2024, that will give time to Ubisoft to try and build up excitement once more. Whether that's manageable or not remains to be seen.
Skull and Bones releases in early 2024 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: IGN