Hello,
I would like to suggest an idea to improve the player experience in Sea of Thieves.
Currently, sessions do not allow players to resume their progress after disconnecting, which can be frustrating, especially for players with limited time.
I would like to propose a “contextual reconnection” system with balanced limitations:
The player could respawn at the exact location where they disconnected, only if they left voluntarily (for example: not in combat and without recent damage).
If their ship is destroyed during their absence, the player would still respawn at their previous location, and their ship would then respawn at the nearest valid location to the player.
If their ship is destroyed, the session would still be considered lost in terms of progression (no unfair advantage).
A time limit could be applied (for example: 30 to 60 minutes) to prevent abuse.
This feature could be restricted to certain modes or specific conditions.
Additionally, this feature could first be tested on custom servers, allowing both developers and players to provide feedback and share their impressions. Based on this feedback, it could later be considered as an optional feature for the “High Seas” mode.
Introducing a form of session continuity similar to a “save point” could significantly improve player engagement and retention. Players may feel more invested in their session if they know they can return and continue their adventure, rather than losing all progress due to time constraints or unexpected disconnections.
This could especially benefit casual players, making the game more accessible without reducing the core risk-reward balance that defines Sea of Thieves. By reducing frustration while maintaining consequences (such as losing the ship), this system could encourage longer play sessions and increased player loyalty.
The goal is to improve accessibility and player retention without compromising game balance or the PvP experience.
Thank you for your time and for your continued work on the game.
Kind regards,
Suggestion for a Reconnection / Session Continuity Feature in Sea of Thieves
@kennyisback5593 there is a reconnection feature if you get disconnected, your system crashes etc.
It has a 10 minute time limit
@kennyisback5593 said in Suggestion for a Reconnection / Session Continuity Feature in Sea of Thieves:
A time limit could be applied (for example: 30 to 60 minutes) to prevent abuse.
This would seriously be abused. Exactly what @CallMeBackdrafT said, when someone disconnects or just decides to exit the game without leaving first, the system gives them 10min to come back and re-take their spot on the ship. Now imagine you're in the middle of something, and a crewmember simply quits. You're now unable to invite anyone else for the next 30-60min. Yikes.
This would be an unfair advantage that would be abused. Say i have 1000's of cannons cursed cannonballs, food etc. Come back in where new players are and instantly I have unlimited supplies to demolish them. People would be doing this constantly. That is why we start with base supplies and at a fresh outpost when we spawn in. It doesn't take long to get what you need either to be on your way and you will fill your boat as you go with supps. HG players would really abuse this when they are fully stocked up. They would just jump back in with unlimited supplies all over again and never need to start with the crate given.
Like the others stated you have 10 minutes if you don't hit leave game from the settings menu and just exit game to rejoin your previous session so that is long enough to be away from your ship without having to start as a fresh spawn
