During the Xbox Games Showcase, Rare and Lucasfilm Games announce a new collaboration which adds a brand-new story campaign for Sea of Thieves based around The Legend of Monkey Island. After a relatively slow launch back in 2018, Rare has continued to update the game and bring it to additional platforms like Steam, where it has since become a live service juggernaut. In addition to fleshing out the world with new things to do and seasonal content, Sea of Thieves has also crossed over with various other franchises as well.
Starting off with adding content from other Microsoft franchises like Gears of War, Banjo-Kazooie, and Ori, Rare got more ambitious in 2021 by teaming up with Disney to create a free expansion centered around Pirates of the Caribbean. Adding in iconic characters like Jack Sparrow, Joshamee Gibbs, Captain Barbossa, and other references from the franchise, players could experience an original story and battle new enemies. After a couple of years, Rare is ready to unveil its latest collaboration.
During the 2023 Xbox Showcase Event, a new trailer revealed that the next big Sea of Thieves crossover collaboration is with Monkey Island. After stumbling onto Melee Island and the Scum Bar, the pirates meet a number of classic characters including Guybrush Threepwood acting as Mayor. Similar to Jack Sparrow, it appears that Threepwood will join players as a fully functioning NPC, teasing that LeChuck has turned the island's memories into a prison.
In fact, LeChuck even makes an appearance towards the end, hinting that players will likely face off against the longtime villain, while also teasing many cinematic moments awaiting. As expected, the Monkey Island crossover is free for players, and it'll feature an all new original story to experience. For those eager to jump in, there isn't too much longer to wait as the Sea of Thieves x Monkey Island event kicks off in full starting on July 20.
Although the Monkey Island crossover was rumored recently, this isn't the first time Sea of Thieves has referenced the classic franchise. In fact, The Pirate's Life expansion hid a Monkey Island Easter egg with a shipwreck belonging to Captain Kate Capsize. Last seen in Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, players ultimately framed her in order to solve a puzzle, so many have theorized that Capsize was out for revenge against Threepwood, though ultimately got lost and shipwrecked inside Sea of Thieves. With this latest crossover, this Easter egg has now come full circle.
Sea of Thieves is available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.