Ubisoft Announces Multiplayer-Based Skull & Bones

Ubisoft promised a lot of surprises for its press conference this year, which is currently happening right now. And it certainly delivered, especially for those that have been yearning for a pirating adventure, since the publisher set sail with the Assassin's Creed Black Flag and Rogue game years ago.

With Skull & Bones, that's exactly what it intends to do. In this multiplayer-based adventure (though you're also able to sail solo if you prefer), you'll be able to terrorize the trade routes as you attempt to try and capture treasure, and execute those that would feel like they're about to betray you. Yep, it's all about the pirating life.

The debut trailer for Skull & Bones features a rather interesting scenario, as a female pirate captain (shades of Cutthroat Island!) does away with a rogue merchant ship, using a number of tools at her disposal. But it isn't long before a younger pirate shows up, paying her a quick nod before threatening to blow her ship to pieces.

The team then launched into a demo for the game, featuring a 5 vs. 5 based battle where players got their own ships and went into battle with others, using whatever tactics they can to keep their ship from crumbling to pieces. More modes will be introduced in the months ahead as well.

We posted the trailer above, and the gameplay looks to be very promising thus far, taking to the open sea where Ubisoft's previous multiplayer romp, For Honor, took to the world of medieval combat. Considering how a lot of Assassin's Creed fans were enjoying the ship-based battles, this will definitely feel like it's right up their alley.

You can actually plan your attack, using your telescope to see ships from a distance before setting up your strikes, with cannons on the side, and the ability to ram into ships, if you're feeling ever so bold. (Hey, it worked in Rogue.) But you want to make sure you keep your eye on the prize – no sense getting too greedy over that money. You want to concentrate and make sure that the gold is yours – or whatever you stumble across.

And, yes, you can sing pirating songs. We are down.

Beta access for Skull & Bones will begin soon, and the game is set to arrive in fall 2018 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.