Why Sea of Thieves is Dying:

Here we go again. “Game is dying” but no evidence to back it up but own self reason it is.

Hoo boy, another generic post claiming the game is dying, without citing any actual evidence and only speaking on personal thoughts and conjecture.

@mslechtic15 Region and Timezones can account for match timing. I just did an hourglass battle, and dove/matched immediately.

@wolfmanbush said:

As far as cheating goes I've always thought it was overblown here and still do.

How much Arena did you play? How much HG have you played?

I know you do the organic grind, put yourself in danger, and get your fair share of PvP. But I don't
think cheaters tend to go after kraken hunters.

Return of Original Mechanics (Quick Swap, Crowd Launch, Higher FOV for All Platforms)

The real reason for OP’s post and precisely why I’m ignoring the rest. All garbage exploits that have been deliberately patched to make the game fairer. Begging for an FoV increase too? Go and play an FPS.

@tesiccl I always love the tired out excuse of "other fps games allow for exploits/techs, therefore SoT should..."

@tesiccl said in Why Sea of Thieves is Dying::

Return of Original Mechanics (Quick Swap, Crowd Launch, Higher FOV for All Platforms)

The real reason for OP’s post and precisely why I’m ignoring the rest. All garbage exploits that have been deliberately patched to make the game fairer. Begging for an FoV increase too? Go and play an FPS.

Well... it's either that, or "give us PvE servers", cuz:

• Add the option to choose PvP or PvE servers. Hardcore players could fight among themselves, while casual players could sail peacefully.

---

Other than that, got nothing else to say on the matter except that I majorly disagree with most of the OPs suggestions, for the same reasons people already commented.

EDIT:
PS. small correction

• Many players began cheating out of frustration because they disliked the changes in the game.

Many players began cheating cuz they're lazy and terrible players, unwilling to learn and adapt.* There you go.

Rare's gameplay decisions got nothing to do with it. You're either a cheater, or you're not. Simple as that. And this game, is well rid of them. The sooner the better.

People are waaaaay too entitled to their personal opinions nowdays, thinking it justifies them doing certain stuff if somebody says, or does, something they don't agree with.

@mslechtic15

Declining player numbers and dead servers

Where this info come from? Steam? Last I recall someone said most players are console users, and you cant trust Steam numbers anymore. Dead Servers? If a server ever becomes 1-2 players, it merges you with a server with players. Its never Dead.
(Check Posts of players complaining about being sunk before leaving Outposts every time they login)

this could be a sign that the game is losing popularity

Or fact Rare is drip feeding, and everyone seems to rush to finish what was released, having to wait until next month before next update. It happens.

This can be seen in statistics such as the number of players online at any given time

and I never trust those Steam numbers.

Empty or “dead” servers further highlight the lack of active player engagement, making it harder for players to find matches or have enjoyable experiences.

See Above.

Lack of new content or updates

Like said, We just got a new update, but they decided to Drip feed it. So each new month of the season will have something new. And since SOT players dont like to Grind, they made it super easy or alot of exploits just to lvl everything and be done.

If the developers have stopped regularly adding new features, content, or updates

Like I said...we just got a new season and big update...

A drop in active discussions on forums, social media, or other community platforms could indicate that interest in the game is waning.

Or, the fact Monster Hunters just released and its a brand new game. People gone to play it, along with Marvel Rivels been pretty good. Way I see it, Less people talking on social media, means they are Busy actually playing.

If more and more negative reviews appear on sites like Steam

Personal option. Like a movie critic, I dont go by what others say, and try it myself. besides, It Steam reviews, those are just trolls at best. Mad PvP or PvE players.

(e.g., poor technical support, lack of content, or gameplay issues)

Never had poor tech support, Lack of Conten? please.... and what game never has gameplay issues?

it could be evidence that the game is losing its original appeal.

You are using a lot of words like "Could" or "If" here meaning, it just a theory, which often isnt true.

If developers fail to address technical problems such as bugs, lag, or malfunctioning servers

They havnt failed. They do fix problems, but new ones tend to happen. So far, Im all up to believe the exploits and cheaters messing with things are a good root cause.

Frankly, not a single thing here is proven or true. It all based on personal theories or beliefs.
Like Me? I never experience any of these game breaking bugs, never encounter a cheater, and never had a 'dead' server. So possibly, it the users and not the game?

More stuff?

I’m in the SoT community, and I can see that the game is dying

So are we all, and I dont.

on Xbox servers, for example, you sometimes have to wait up to 30 minutes for a match.

False. Depends on region I believe and timezones. I just waited 30 seconds for first match and 2min on remaining 10 matches.
Besides that, how does this follow with servers dead? or Game it dying? Maybe nobody in your zone is playing at the time.

The anti-cheat is bad because I know how it works

You and everyone else say this but dont really. :P

players can avoid bans as much as they want.

Mmhmm, just like any game now days, no Cheat prevention is 100%

FOV doesn’t ruin the game—90 FOV is way too restrictive, especially for PvP.

This whole thing has gone from, Game is dying to...PvP is bad shape.

why did they remove the “exploit” QS but not something like Sword Lunge?

Ugh...here we go again...PvP player upset because they cant one shot.

because worse players struggled with skill.

Exploiting is a Skill?

Rare doesn’t fix bugs, and when they do, it’s never on time.

Yeah because it takes time to find the cause, But if you know a sure way to QUICKLY pin point a problem from a code, do tell Rare how to proceed.

The servers have been lagging since the game’s release

"Release" Which...is when? 2018? or when PS was added? I can tell you...2018 days..it was a lot worse.

Every time they fix one bug, three new ones appear

same with every game. One bug gone, another pops up, its a Gamer Joke.

@valor-omega
Right? The only "Dying" I've witnessed is when the servers all caught fire a while back and no one could join. Otherwise I don't see anything conclusive that drives players away.

@thetalluno Remember many occasions where either a new feature was added, or an exploit was patched out, and the usual crowd piped up that the game was going to die because of it (double shot, fire bombs, wallbang, chain shots, blunder bombs, x-bucket, quick swap, etc) - it never did lol, and it's not anytime soon.

@look-behind-you said in Why Sea of Thieves is Dying::

Anyone who relies on exploits as a crutch to be "skilled" and can't be as "skilled" without it, was never truly skilled in the first place.

The ACTUALLY good/skilled players adjust and adapt to the removal of exploits and are STILL good/skilled.

The the REALLY Good Players can win a fight DISPITE exploits and cheaters.

@mslechtic15 said in Why Sea of Thieves is Dying::

1. PvP vs. PvE Conflict

Problem:
• The game started as a sandbox where players could do whatever they wanted, but gradually, Rare began to focus more on PvE and casual players.
• PvP players were pushed aside and received nerfs (e.g., double gun nerf, changes in stun mechanics, nerf to boarding).
• The introduction of Hourglass PvP was meant to be a solution, but instead, it created separated groups of players, further dividing the game.

Sure.

Solution:
• Add the option to choose PvP or PvE servers. Hardcore players could fight among themselves, while casual players could sail peacefully.

So your solution to too much PvP/PvE separation is to add separate servers. This one gets a no.

• Increase and expand PvP rewards – rewards should be much higher and more valuable. For example, special skins that would only be available through PvP. These should be visually appealing, with unique effects or animations, so players feel a greater reward for their efforts.

And make the players already mad about Skeleton/Ghost/whatever other HG cosmetics being locked behind HG more mad? This doesn't fix anything.

• Allow players to set whether they want PvP encounters, so PvE players aren’t forced to fight if they don’t want to.

This already exists to some extent with the defending mechanics. They just need to make defending a real thing.

⸻

2. Cheaters and Hacking

Problem:
• There are a large number of cheaters on PC using aimbots, speed hacks, or wall hacks.

Wouldn't say large but ok.

• Rare has a poor anti-cheat system, and bans come too late or not at all.
• Many players began cheating out of frustration because they disliked the changes in the game.

Some, not many.

Solution:
• Implement a better anti-cheat system running at the system level to detect suspicious activity (e.g., Vanguard from Valorant).

Kernel AC doesn't fix a bad AC. Also EAC already is Kernel, so that clearly isn't a solution.

• Automated bans – the system should detect suspicious behavior and immediately investigate the player (e.g., suspicious headshots or extreme accuracy).

There aren't even headshots in SoT bruh do you even play the game. Automated bans are fine but they have to actually put effort into their appeal system then, instead of "investigating" and just replying back "nah we aint changing our decision"

• Faster manual checks – Rare should have a team actively reviewing reports and banning cheaters within hours, not weeks.

Manual checks already take only a few days, I think that's fine.

⸻

3. Outdated Content and Lack of Innovation

Problem:
• After so many years, the game is still the same – there is a lack of new, interesting content to keep players coming back.
• Seasons mostly bring cosmetics and minimal actual gameplay content.
• Many players are bored because they’ve already achieved all the goals in the game.

I mean the game is definitely different, seasons 7-14 have drastically changed the fundamentals, but it isn't better nor has that been interesting content.

Solution:
• Add new mechanics – such as new types of ships, new weapons, ship upgrades, the ability to customize the interior of the ship, etc.

New types of ships don't solve anything, just muddies the water for new players. It also creates new metas that restrict good players. Lame. Same issue with ship upgrades. We can also already customize the interior of ships, so idk, do you play the game?

• More endgame content – add something that would be really hard to achieve (something like Pirate Legend, but further).

This should be HG, just make defending real so that you can actually do other things AND do the HG PvP to get progress.

⸻

4. Poor Monetization and Microtransactions

Problem:
• Rare focuses more on making money through the Emporium than on improving the game.
• Seasonal battle passes don’t offer interesting enough rewards.
• Some cosmetics are locked behind a paywall instead of being available in the game.

I wouldn't say these are all issues, really just the first one is an issue, but ok.

Solution:
• Ensure that the best cosmetics can be obtained through gameplay, not just purchases.

Already is true.

• Improve seasonal rewards so it’s worthwhile to grind for them.

I would say it already is, we just need better PL/final rewards ngl. Like who thought of Graymarrows boots?

• Add more community events where players can win rare skins instead of having to buy them.

Well no paid skins aren't rare, but events could be cool.

⸻

5. Return of Original Mechanics (Quick Swap, Crowd Launch, Higher FOV for All Platforms)

Problem:
• Rare removed or changed several mechanics that originally made PvP fast and skillful.
• Quick Swap (QS) was removed, which slowed down combat and limited the options for experienced players.

Yeah this sucked, but I don't think it limited options at all.

• Crowd Launch, which allowed creative and quick movements during combat, was removed.

Don't even know what "crowd" launch is. There were quite a few "C" launches, so maybe you're just confused. I personally wish they gave some official implementation to fish launch (mods it's not even still in the game don't be weird, thanks). Obviously it shouldn't work the way it did, rather just use a rare throwable to activate it.

• Low FOV makes it harder to orient yourself and gives a disadvantage to console players, while PC players have the advantage due to higher FOV.

It's most likely that the 90 FoV is the max consoles can handle, and so they restrict PC no that. Dunno why you're saying it gives a disadvantage to console players based on that. Anyways, higher FoV would be cool, but it aint saving the game.

Solution:
• Bring back Quick Swap (QS) – it was a mechanic that added dynamism to combat and increased the skill gap.
• Restore Crowd Launch – it added more options for creative movement and strategy during PvP.
• Increase FOV on all platforms (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, etc.) and allow up to 120 FOV for all players so they have the same conditions and better situational awareness.

There's about a 1/10000 chance they ever bring any of this back. The best bet is an FoV increase, or maybe something to add cannon mobility.

In conclusion, Sea of Thieves has the potential to thrive again, but it’s clear that without addressing these issues, its player base will continue to shrink. The game needs to return to its roots, focus on balancing PvP and PvE, and bring more exciting content to keep players engaged. Until then, it’s hard to see the future of the game in anything but decline.

Make guilds real. Make HG defending real. Rebalance the game with rewarding non-diving gameplay in mind (s11 is a bit of an issue). Add depth to the PvE through stuff like tiered quests. Do like 2-3 season 15 level content drops a year (2 if 3 seasons a year, 3 if 4 seasons a year).

@thetalluno said in Why Sea of Thieves is Dying::

Then the REALLY Good Players can win a fight DESPITE exploits and cheaters.

yeah :) We do that.

@wolfmanbush

@wolfmanbush said in Why Sea of Thieves is Dying::

Out of all of the feedback that they have been catering to about combat in recent years I'd say that's probably the most fair one just based on principle.

It was clearly not intended even though it lasted a ridiculously long time for something not intended.

I never had an issue with people using it against me but I think it's one of the fair ones to change.

I think at a certain point (like after 5 years point) you just gotta leave it and realize that it's just part of the game. But now that it's gone, it's gone, and shouldn't come back. The damage is done.

@fysics3037 said in Why Sea of Thieves is Dying::

@thetalluno said in Why Sea of Thieves is Dying::

Then the REALLY Good Players can win a fight DESPITE exploits and cheaters.

yeah :) We do that.

Cheers