Developing that Sense of Pirate Fantasy

Sea of Thieves is a pirate fantasy game, and I want to focus on how the islands reflect that. The additional props and structures not only allows for possible new mechanics but also makes the world feel much more lived in. The idea that pirates actually helped create the world we sail around in is present throughout the Sea of Thieves and I really love that. The small camps and shacks really help it feel like a pirate game.

This camp on Sailor's Bounty really makes it feel like people have lived on this island. All of these small camps and structures make the game feel more lived in and more piratical. If you strip away these structures from these islands it just becomes a tropical island ,not a pirate island.

Umbra's camp also accomplishes this. Seeing these structures such as her work station, the rowboat she rowed in, and her hammock makes this island feel like her island (which it will be I guess) but it makes it feel like humans actually interact with their environment, rather than just a tropical island someone has taken residence at.
Seeing the logs cut down informs us that she lives here and that she uses the island's resources.
For more fantastical elements things like this rock formation on Sailor's Bounty, the fireflies on Smuggler's Bay and the fog covering the cave on Cannon Cove should be found more around the world.
I want more of this fantasy stuff. I want more gloomy caves hidden by fog and generally more effects. Fog is one of my favourite additions to the game because it completely changed how islands look
This concept from the artbook is what I'm talking about. The rock formations aren't realistic, but it's so whimsical and fantasy like, I love it.

In general I think I just want to see more islands with structures. It really makes the world feel fuller and that other pirates actually roam the seas. This is one of the reasons why Smuggler's Bay and Thieves Haven are my favourite islands. They've got so many structures and shacks built by other pirates.

A cave with wooden beams and pathways definitely sells the pirate feeling.

The flag, torch, barrels and pebbles/rough sand all come together to make this area feel interesting. It feels like people gather here.

Rare has always said they want to tell stories. These small camps and structures help in creating that.

The mixing of something man made, the mast being propped up by rocks and trees seems really cool to me. Sailor's Bounty is one of the islands in this game that really tells a story.

If there was one thing I'd like to see more of, it's gotta be docks. Cannon Cove, Crescent Isle and Crooks Hollow are the only islands that have a proper dock that isn't an outpost. Docks make it feel like that island had significance, so much in fact that an entire dock was built. I guess this comes down to worldbuilding. I love what Rare has done and only want to see more of it.