Skull and Bones Expands Horizons with Steam Launch
On August 22, Skull and Bones will set sail on Steam, coinciding with the much-anticipated launch of Season 3. This expansion not only invites a broader audience of PC gamers to embark on high-seas adventures but also introduces a host of enhancements designed to refine the gameplay experience. Among the new features are an invading sea lord in the Indian Ocean, world events, and an updated Smuggler Pass, alongside significant improvements for mouse-and-keyboard users.
In a recent discussion with Ubisoft News, members of the development team, including Lead Gameplay Programmer Yi-Xun Neo and Senior Lead UI Artist Alexandr Yantchuk, shared their insights into the updates aimed at enhancing the game for mouse-and-keyboard players. Their collaborative efforts reflect a commitment to creating a more immersive and intuitive experience for PC gamers.
Why did you decide to update mouse and keyboard now?
According to the team, the decision to revisit mouse-and-keyboard controls stemmed from a desire to enhance the overall PC experience. With the impending Steam release, they recognized that many controls were originally designed with console players in mind. The aim was to ensure that the game feels distinctly “PC” when played with a keyboard and mouse. This round of improvements promises to make gameplay feel more natural, featuring optimized controls such as double-click functionality and enhanced map navigation.
How did you decide which features to update? How important was community feedback when making those decisions?
The development team, comprised of passionate gamers, approached the task by immersing themselves in the PC gaming experience. They identified four key areas for improvement: map navigation, the shortcut bar, inventory management, and specific key binds. By focusing on these segments, they were able to pinpoint changes that would significantly enhance the keyboard-and-mouse experience. Community feedback played a crucial role in this process, with the team working closely with their Insiders to ensure that their updates aligned with player expectations.
Can you talk about the process behind some of these updates?
One notable change involved the key binding for disembarking from the ship, which was originally set to [S]. Recognizing that this was not a standard “interact” button for PC players, the team made adjustments to allow for more intuitive controls. They created separate entries in the key binding menu for disembarking and interacting with settlements, enabling players to customize their experience further.
Which of the updates are you most proud of?
The team expressed particular pride in the revamped shortcut bar, which now aligns more closely with typical PC gaming conventions. This update not only enhances consistency but also introduces quality-of-life features, such as the ability to switch between different sets of shortcuts. Initially intended as a PC-exclusive feature, this enhancement will also be rolled out to other platforms.
Will you continue to monitor PC players’ experiences and update the game accordingly?
The development team views this as an ongoing process rather than a final destination. They plan to actively monitor player feedback post-launch and remain engaged with the community to identify further refinements. The Insider Program, which has been in place since 2022, will continue to provide players with early access to new content and a platform for collaboration with the development team. Interested players can sign up via the official website.
Full Update List
- Hovering over an item will no longer select it by default; players can now left-click to select items and scroll tooltip details without navigating away from the item grid.
- The concept of switching between inventories in the warehouse has been removed; hovering over an item will now contextually switch to the active inventory.
- Interacting with items can now be accomplished by right-clicking.
- Double-clicking on a hovered item will perform the first action in the actions menu.
- Visual clarity has been improved across various elements.
- Ship loadouts now utilize horizontal tabs, allowing easy navigation by hovering over category icons.
- Decoupled settlement interaction and disembarking button-remapping options for separate binding.
- New horizontal action bar replaces the action wheel in the HUD for mouse-and-keyboard control schemes.
To celebrate the Steam launch, Skull and Bones will be available at a discount of up to 60% from August 22 to September 4. Additionally, players can experience the game for free for up to six hours starting August 22 with the Skull and Bones Free Trial. The game is currently available on multiple platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna, and PC via Ubisoft Connect and Epic Games Store, with a wishlist option now available on Steam ahead of its release.
