Sea of Thieves has released a large new update that comes in at around 100 GB on Xbox consoles and PC. Although the Sea of Thieves patch does introduce plenty of improvements and bug fixes, the real reason for the update's large size is that it implements the latest Xbox Game Development Kit, which will benefit users in the future.

Fans of the open-world pirate game have had other reasons to be excited recently as rumors indicate that Sea of Thieves seems to be going multi-platform soon. It's likely that a release on PlayStation and Switch would drastically increase Sea of Thieves' player population and may even further encourage Rare and Microsoft to work on new and exciting content for the game. Other Xbox exclusives also rumored to be seeing a multi-platform release are Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and Grounded. However, it should be noted that these four games have still not been specifically confirmed for such releases. While this news is probably exciting for Sea of Thieves fans, they now have the game's newest update to enjoy as well.

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Sea of Thieves Players Don't Have to Stress About Voyage Achievements

Sea of Thieves confirms that players will not have to worry about more archived achievements as new changes arrive with Season 11.

Sea of Thieves' newest update is a sizable download, although Steam users are much more lucky with a 10.5 GB download size. The PC Game Pass edition's patch is the largest download, coming in at 102 GB, while the various Xbox consoles are between 88 and 90 GB. Rare explained that the integration of the newest Xbox Game Development Kit, which is the main reason for the update's size, will allow future updates to be considerably smaller than normal. With this patch, players can also expect performance improvements, with PC players seeing the largest difference. The update advises these users to download the latest graphics drivers for the best results. Additionally, the update improved various Voyages and upgraded Sea of Thieves' already exceptional water visuals by making water look better from a distance.

Sea of Thieves also confirmed that the newest Community Weekend will take place later this week from February 24 to 26. The new update implemented tons of bug fixes as well, which include gameplay, environment, UI, visual, and audio improvements. Additionally, Sea of Thieves fans can check out the new Pirate Emporium and Outpost equipment stock. Following the latest patch, returning players can dive back into Sea of Thieves and try out its Season 11 update, which introduced new Trading Company features and overhauled the quest system.

Hopefully, players should no longer be suffering from Xbox's recent network issues, which were preventing PC users from downloading Sea of Thieves. Xbox has since claimed that it fixed the problem, which was causing a wide range of issues.

Sea of Thieves Update Patch Notes

Game Improvements

GDK Integration

• Sea of Thieves now operates on the latest Xbox GDK (Game Development Kit). Players on PC are encouraged to update to the latest graphics drivers to ensure the best compatibility and performance.
• Sea of Thieves now supports DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 where supported by the hardware. While the title will now auto-detect and optimise the experience, players can also choose within the game settings.
• General client performance improvements should be seen throughout the experience, with PC players seeing the largest improvements.
• While players on console and the Microsoft Store will experience a large initial download, regular game updates moving forwards will now be considerably smaller.
• The Microsoft Store experience on PC is now improved, with the client signalling the need for an update and the ability for players to set the install location when using the Xbox app.
• Players on PC using the Windows Store may be required to take further steps to initiate the download. Please head to the official Sea of Thieves Support site if any assistance is needed.

Updates

Improved Athena’s Fortune Voyages

• The Voyage of Legends and Ashen Voyage of Legends have now been refreshed, providing a shorter session experience and consistently delivering rewards for the Athena’s Fortune Trading Company.

Improved Raid Voyage Rewards

• While diving to a Raid Voyage will continue to reward crews with a concentrated number of high-value items, making the spoils easier to carry than numerous lower-value items, the total quantity and value of items awarded and their visual impact have now been slightly increased following player feedback.
• Crews completing Raid Voyages for the Athena’s Fortune Trading Company will now find that only Athena’s Fortune treasure is awarded.

Skull of Siren Song Guild Reputation

• Guild Reputation will now be earned by taking part in the Skull of Siren Song Voyage when this is active on the server.
• Crews can earn a modest amount of Guild Reputation when selling an empty Chest of Siren Song, and a significant boost to Guild Reputation when handing in the Skull of Siren Song to Briggsy. The existing gold and Renown earned from these rewards remains unchanged.

Emissary Voyage Improvements

• Players starting an Athena’s Fortune Emissary Voyage in The Devil’s Roar will now be further rewarded with an Ashen Chest of Legends upon completion.

Ashen Winds Skull Value

• The Ashen Winds Skull no longer loses value by being used. Fire away, pirates!

Access to Tall Tales

• All Tall Tales across the Shores of Gold arc, Sea of Thieves: A Pirate’s Life and the recently released Sea of Thieves: The Legend of Monkey Island are now unlocked and can be played freely in any order.

Water Visual Improvements

• Could the water look any better? When viewed from a distance, the surface of the water now appears smoother, improving its appearance.

Pirate Emporium

Show off your personal style with purchases from the Pirate Emporium! Pick up exclusive cosmetics such as ship liveries, costumes, weapons, pets and emotes using your Ancient Coins, purchasable with real money. Head to the Pirate Emporium page to browse and buy the latest additions!

New Items – Now in Stock!

• Reaper's Heart Fox
• Reaper’s Heart Instrument Bundle
• Reaper’s Heart Lantern Bundle
• Reaper’s Heart Equipment Bundle
• Islehopper Outlaw Big Bundle
• Infinite Depths Big Bundle
• Wailing Barnacle Pet Outfits
• Toe Reach Emote (free!)
• Reaper’s Reserve Bundle (Microsoft, Xbox and Steam Stores only)

Outpost Cosmetics

New Outpost Stock!

• The Outpost equipment shops have received a new shipment of instruments from the Maestro set!
• Players can also pick up the fetching Low Bun Hair from the clothing shops.

Events

Season 11 Community Weekend

• From Saturday, February 24th to Monday, February 26th (11am UTC), all pirates are welcome to set sail and join in our latest Community Weekend with free gifts to snap up, Twitch Drops to claim, player stories to share and more glorious Pop-Up Plunder!
• As always, raising the Community Emissary Grade (by tuning in to streamers within the Sea of Thieves category on Twitch) will unlock gold, reputation, Seasonal Renown, Allegiance and Guild Reputation boosts for all players.
• Find out everything you need to know in our Season 11 Community Weekend news article.

Fixed Issues

Gameplay

• Crews purchasing Supply Crates from the Merchant Alliance should find that if a player is unable to retrieve a crate, a crate is now provided on the next attempt.
• Crews purchasing Captain’s Supplies from the shipwright should now consistently find their supplies delivered to their ship.
• Pirate Legends speaking to the Pirate Lord should now consistently be able to access the Athena’s Fortune Trading Company shop.
• Crews diving to a Voyage should no longer find other crews already taking part in the encounter on arrival.
• Crews diving to a Raid Voyage and then cancelling the Voyage will no longer gain rewards in addition to those the Voyage would usually offer.
• The Legendary Herald Costume now unlocks at the intended level, Athena’s Fortune 100.
• Players completing the Trading Company Tutorial Voyages will now earn the intended reputation for the Company.
• Tridents will no longer grant Emissary Grade progression when brought on board a ship.
• Players speaking to the Servant of the Flame after reaching Allegiance level 100 will no longer incorrectly unlock the Become Pirate Legend achievement.
• Completing Medley Voyages will now increase the relevant Captaincy Milestones.
• Treasure sold from within a Collector’s Chest will now consistently progress associated Commendations.
• Grade 5 Emissary Voyages from The Devil’s Roar will now consistently provide locations within The Devil’s Roar.
• Players will once again discover Gold Pouches and the elusive Store Room Key within Sea Forts prior to defeating the Captain.
• Diving to a Sea Fort on behalf of a Trading Company will now award the correct number of treasure items within the Treasury and Store Room.
• The correct treasure types will now appear in Skeleton Fleet and Athena’s Fortune Sea Fort Raid Voyages.
• The Golden Voyager Commendation will now progress when finishing the Gold Hoarders Tutorial Voyage.
• Players taking on the Trading Company Tutorial Voyages with other players will now find that tutorial notifications progress for all crew members.
• The Commendations for earning a Company Distinction will now be earned at the correct level.
• Skeletons inhabiting Siren Shrines will now take the correct number of hits to defeat.
• The Ashen Mariner of Guilds Commendation now increases when completing Ashen Voyages and meeting the required criteria.
• ‘Shores of Gold’ – Crews who do not take the Gold Hoarder’s Coin from the Compass Vault will no longer become stuck when the door eventually closes, and are able to interact with the medallions and reopen the door.
• ‘The Cursed Rogue’ – It is no longer possible to sell the Skeleton Key to the Gold Hoarders.
• ‘Heart of Fire’ – Emergent encounters with enemies will continue to occur after starting the Tall Tale.

Environment

• The Shrine of the Coral Tomb should no longer have pockets of water missing.
• Skeletons defending Shark Fin Camp should no longer become stuck on platforms.
• Players can now manoeuvre a Cannon Rowboat underneath the gate at Shark Fin Camp.
• Players will no longer intersect with the coffins near the Bonesmith in The Reaper’s Lair.
• Players will no longer be able to pass through the environment within the Shrine of the Coral Tomb.
• Skeletons will no longer be seen floating at Molten Sands Fortress.
• Sloops will no longer collide unnaturally with the Sovereigns’ jetty at Dagger Tooth Outpost.
• Players should no longer find themselves returned to their ship when attempting to use the lift in The Reaper’s Lair.
• Players will no longer become stuck within the environment in areas of the Shrine of Hungering.
• Players will no longer find themselves getting stuck on the trees near the fish statue at Shark Bait Cove.
• The Vault door at Kraken's Fall now descends all the way into the ground.
• ‘The Lair of LeChuck’ – Players will no longer intersect with the statues on Monkey Island.
• ‘The Lair of LeChuck’ – Players will no longer find themselves launched into the air when walking near the rock ladders by the stockade on Monkey Island.

User Interface

• Crew members taking damage will now show the correct Crew Status icon in their nameplate.
• The Sunken Kingdom Voyage now correctly displays the appropriate icons to indicate the Voyage length.
• Visual improvements have been made to Company-specific notifications when diving below the waves to take on a Trading Company Voyage.
• Improved background imagery is now used when a Trading Company promotion is available.
• Approaching a Sea Fort will now display the appropriate banners.
• When progressing from level 100 to Distinction 1 within a Trading Company, the UI animation will now appear correctly.
• References to Old Boot Fort have been removed from maps within the Emissary Tutorial.

Visual and Audio

• The correct battle music will now be heard during the battle while on the Order of Souls Tutorial voyage.
• Players should no longer see their hands moving inside the Paradise Garden Eye of Reach while reloading.
• The Sailor Figurehead should now change colour to match the selected hull.
• The Swashbuckling Story Emote should no longer cause larger players’ arms to bend unnaturally when performed.
• During Trading Company Tutorial Voyages, the Voyage completion music should no longer overlap with the outro music.
• The Boarhunter Cannons should no longer pop backwards when fired.
• Players of all sizes should now see their thumb correctly gripping the handle of the Boarhunter Blunderbuss.
• The Scrolls of Charted Waters should no longer intersect when placed on the ground.
• The Scrolls of Shrouded Waters should no longer intersect with a Collector’s Chest when placed inside.
• Crews uncovering the treasure during an Order of Souls Siren Treasury Raid Voyage will now find the skulls arranged in the correct direction.
• Players interacting with the map in the Chronicler’s room of the Pirate Legend Hideout should now stand on the ground correctly.
• ‘Dark Brethren’ – Captain Jack Sparrow will now be facing the correct direction when players talk to him.
• Monkeys wearing the Outfit of Plenty will no longer experience issues where the outfit intersects with parts of the body.
• When aiming the Cronch Pistol, shots fired now more accurately line up with the barrel.
• Players should no longer see their hands moving inside the Sawbones Blunderbuss.
• The Graveyard Grim Whippet no longer has a noticeable seam around its neck.
• The Hoarder Reliquary will no longer intersect with the player’s hand when held.
• The Golden Sailor Blunderbuss will no longer push into the camera when fired.
• The Piranha Poodle now has the correct eyes and amended tongue animation.
• If players place down more than one proposal on the Quest Table, the second proposal no longer overlaps with the Hourglass of Fate.

Text and Localisation

• A sweep across all non-English languages has been completed to address inconsistencies with terminology used across a range of items, locations and characters. Some incorrectly localised location names and types have now been returned to English for consistency.
• Instances of overlapping and truncated text have been addressed in Quest Books across a range of Tall Tales and Bounty Maps issued by the Order of Souls in non-English languages.
• The Saviour of Siren Song Commendation no longer displays placeholder text within the Pirate Log.
• The Captain's Voyage Storage section has now been removed from Info & Tips.
• The description for the Lord of Gold Commendation should now display the correct unlock requirements.
• The Merchant Alliance Company shop should now display correctly in non-English languages.
• The Crate of Elegant Cloth no longer appears with placeholder text in the name.
• Crates of Luxurious Cloth are now correctly labelled.
• Rag & Bone Crates no longer appear with care instructions.
• The description for The Legendary Guardian Title now states the correct Pirate Alignment.
• The description for the My Booming Bones Commendation now appears correctly after unlocking it.

Performance and Stability

• Crews leaving the game while diving to an experience should no longer cause server instability.
• Improved game stability to reduce scenarios where players experience an unexpected exit from the game.
• Improved server stability to avoid instances where players are disconnected from their session.

Known Issues

To learn more about known issues in Sea of Thieves currently being tracked and their status, head over to our Known Issues support site article.

Download and Installation

Download size:

Xbox Series X: 88.36 GB

Xbox Series S: 90.15 GB

Xbox One X: 88.36 GB

Xbox One: 90.15 GB

Microsoft Store: 102 GB

Steam: 10.49 GB

XBOX INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

PC INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves sees a return for developer Rare. Players will create their own pirate and sail a large open world, looking for treasures and battling against other players to secure their riches. They'll also be able to unlock new cosmetics and embark through multiple events.

Platform(s)

Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC

Released

March 20, 2018

Developer(s)

Rare

Genre(s)

Adventure

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