Sea of Thieves’ Captaincy update is the dolly dress-up I’ve craved
Sea of Thieves has continually been updated since its launch, bringing in everything from spectral phantoms and coral beasts to Jack Sparrow and Spanish fleets. But the most recent Captaincy update, which launched at the start of August along with season 7, may be one of the most impactful updates yet. Captaincy allows players to name and decorate their own ship, sell to a special vendor, and otherwise flex their status on the high seas. It’s the first update to really shine the spotlight on other players, and it makes the Sea feel so much more alive.
When Sea of Thieves first launched, threats were thin on the ground. Developer Rare has since expanded the map into the fiery, frightful Devil’s Roar and added a whole host of dungeons and quests to explore. But all of these updates have been external, changing the world. Pirates themselves have received new tattoos or dresses, but rarely have they been granted new ways to meaningfully progress their own story.
Now, on the high waves, peering down a spyglass at a Captained ship plays a little tune, and you get to see their ship’s name, which is also emblazoned above their quarters. For instance, if you were to encounter me on the seas, you’d see that I run The Bewwowing Hewwo, a fearsome sloop. I greet others with a heartfelt “Hewwo.” I’m the captain of this ship, and you can’t do anything about it — although many try, often with cannons and fire. Peering at others’ ships, with names like the parrot-cosmetic-adorned Chicken Club or the black and gold Booty Hunter, and flipping through their log books, make them feel like similarly established characters.
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“[Captaincy] always felt like a core part of the pirate fantasy,” says creative director Mike Chapman in a
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