Eurogamer Article - Sea of Thieves' Hungering Deep update is a significant step in the right direction

  • KattTruewalker
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    Deckhand

    It's not just that storms and sea monsters became overfamiliar and rote though; worse is that the spirited, ad hoc camaraderie present between pirates in test sessions prior to launch - one of the game's greatest strengths - all but disappeared. When the floodgates opened on release day, most players immediately set upon Sea of Thieves through the limited lens of a PvP murderfest, rather than a oceanic sandbox inviting all manner of interactions - and things rapidly devolved into an tediously predictable game of aggression. Paranoia mounted and, where once a distant boat could be a potential new alliance, soon a shadow on the horizon all but guaranteed an inevitable, drawn-out fight to the death.

    This, then, is why The Hungering Deep is so significant. Sure, if you scrutinise its additions purely as a feature list (it introduces a new instrument, new flag and speaking trumpet tools, new tattoo and scar cosmetics, new ship and outfit options, a brisk campaign quest, and a new AI threat), it's perhaps a little underwhelming. Its true strength comes in how these new features work together to course correct and reinvigorate the game.....

    ...For the first time in what seems like ages, random crews across the ocean are communicating and interacting positively, and Sea of Thieves seems to have rediscovered its soul. Remarkably too, that community spirit hasn't yet abated; I've been waved at from afar, had impromptu mid-water musical shindigs, shared an outpost with a stranger, and even followed up a boss fight with collaborative skeleton fort. High seas murder is still rife, of course - as it should be a game that lets you live the life of a bloodthirsty pirate if you want to - but, crucially, the possibilities have broadened, and once again, Sea of Thieves has interesting stories to tell.

    Read more here:-

    Jun 1, 2018  /  Feature

    Sea of Thieves' Hungering Deep update is a significant step in the right direction

    Sea of Thieves' Hungering Deep update is a significant step in the right direction

    We can all agree there are reasonable criticisms to be levied at Sea of Thieves; its launch state was slender, even for…

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  • Gloog
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    Woooooooo

    I do have to laugh at the article for seemingly blaming players for looking at the game through a PvP murderfest lense when that is the games fault, not the players. If there's nothing to occupy the players attention then obviously piracy takes the forefront.

  • Capn Moza
    Champion
    Insider

    SoT fans: wooo

    people who dont want us to have fun: ded gam

  • Jacknife Wilson
    Marauder
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    Well, a step in the right direction - something I've been saying since the launch of HD..

    Still too little content present to dig my teeth into, but it's getting there.

    I agree entirely with this article/thread.

    In time, we shall finally have the AAA game we were expecting since launch and thank goodness there is a core of gamers who can enjoy the game as we wait to keep the product afloat and relevant in the minds of gamers!

    Good find Kat!

  • PirateCraggy
    Legend
    Insider

    The Journey can now start...

    to quote:
    "The Hungering Deep feels like a statement of intent, and one pointing in exactly the right direction. Sea of Thieves' long-promised weekly updates are scheduled to begin immediately after Merrick's limited time quest ends..."

    All looks promising.

  • CaptSwift23
    Master
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    Founder

    Hungering Deep is amazing and I’ve made some great allies on the seas too team up with , hopefully see you all on the seas.
    Bring on Cursed Sails can’t wait☠️⚓️.

  • Thewolfman321
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    Founder

    @katttruewalker yes, fully a step in the right direction! I had a lot of fun on the campaign, even if a little short, but it felt good to be doing something that felt like it had a point, if you get what I mean.

    Now we just need more of these! Maybe a few longer ones and some we an grind like the public events in Guild Wars 2!

  • MaliceVanRow
    Captain

    Hungering Deep was pretty fun. Was really fun to team up with 3 other crews to complete it. For a small dlc, it was pretty impressive. Glad to see it is getting positive recognition in the media.

  • SirLiborius
    Marauder
    Founder

    Very nice article, it reflects the changed player behaviour i experienced this week.
    And to be honest: while THD was fun to complete, it would have been less fun to do so with just one ship.
    Even while killing the Meg with just one sloop sounds like a challange, the friendly welcoming crews really improved it massively.
    And as the boss fight doesn't provide any stealable loot, backstabbers don't even win anything.

  • Moomintroll
    Master
    Insider

    Nice article, good balance, and I completely agree that this is the right direction the game needs to keep going in. Some nice suggestions in there too!

    I like that it also touches on that magical quality this game has - that we know it's not perfect, but it offers a unique game experience, and it just keeps drawing us back in...

  • Foxdodge
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    @gloog If you were to give someone a pen and paper, and then they drew (generic bad thing), is that the fault of the pen and paper?

  • BraxKedren
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    @gloog said in Eurogamer Article - Sea of Thieves' Hungering Deep update is a significant step in the right direction:

    Woooooooo

    I do have to laugh at the article for seemingly blaming players for looking at the game through a PvP murderfest lense when that is the games fault, not the players. If there's nothing to occupy the players attention then obviously piracy takes the forefront.

    Seeing how the game was the same in testing as it is now, I'd have to be sure it's the players that are now playing that are the issue.

  • BraxKedren
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    "Sea of Thieves isn't perfect, and it's absolutely right to highlight its shortcomings - if only so that Rare can, as it's shown a willingness to do, react to constructive feedback."

    I feel this is the best part of this article, especially for those that like to come on these forums and bash the fans of the game by calling us "White Knights" and trying to make it a derogatory term.

    Fans know the game isn't perfect.
    We know it has flaws.

    We also know that if you come here and give CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK on those flaws and promote a Healthy Discussion then those flaws can be seen by Rare and fleshed out. They've already shown their intent to work these issues out as fast as they can. They've been quick to change things for players based on this type of feedback

  • Gloog
    Master
    Founder

    @braxkedren said in Eurogamer Article - Sea of Thieves' Hungering Deep update is a significant step in the right direction:

    @gloog said in Eurogamer Article - Sea of Thieves' Hungering Deep update is a significant step in the right direction:

    Woooooooo

    I do have to laugh at the article for seemingly blaming players for looking at the game through a PvP murderfest lense when that is the games fault, not the players. If there's nothing to occupy the players attention then obviously piracy takes the forefront.

    Seeing how the game was the same in testing as it is now, I'd have to be sure it's the players that are now playing that are the issue.

    Is it not unlikely that players are drawing bias conclusions about their fond memories in testing? It's a smaller sample size, limited, and most likely prior to players discovering how dead the world is - of course we have some rose tinted glasses on. My testing was just as hostile as the game is and I've never believed that game is too or overly hostile.

    @foxdodge said in Eurogamer Article - Sea of Thieves' Hungering Deep update is a significant step in the right direction:

    @gloog If you were to give someone a pen and paper, and then they drew (generic bad thing), is that the fault of the pen and paper?

    What a terrible analogy. PvP isn't a bad thing. It's just one of the many consequences of not much to do.

  • BraxKedren
    Captain
    Insider
    Founder

    @gloog possibly. There have been many people posting, who were testers, that talked about playing for 2 years in testing. So unless they wiped frequently, which is possible, I’d think those would know how the game was over that amount of time.

    So 50/50 it’s games fault for lack of engaging content to keep people busy and also players for being PvP hounds they are.

  • Gloog
    Master
    Founder

    @lobane bahahahahah I am glad you pointed this out to say the least. It really kills feedback and is similar to trolling trolls who just bash the game.

  • Gloog
    Master
    Founder

    @braxkedren said in Eurogamer Article - Sea of Thieves' Hungering Deep update is a significant step in the right direction:

    @gloog possibly. There have been many people posting, who were testers, that talked about playing for 2 years in testing. So unless they wiped frequently, which is possible, I’d think those would know how the game was over that amount of time.

    So 50/50 it’s games fault for lack of engaging content to keep people busy and also players for being PvP hounds they are.

    A lot of those same people say the forums were a utopia. They weren't. It was just a hivemind of praise. Regardless a game in a test state isnt a good standard to judge a game. Judge it in its release state and if we do that I can't place blame on players discovering that there's no reason to explore or that the world/islands is/are really shallow.. of course players will lean towards whats spontaneous and exciting; i.e. other players.

    Make the game/islands/sea more alive RARE!!

  • ajm123
    Legend
    Insider
    Founder

    at least hes honest the amount of options for communication were always in the game nobody used them so when everyone starts killing each other people quickly forget you can talk to each other.it even says "for best experience switch to game chat" now with the speaking trumpet people now realize oh wait we can talk to each other this is pretty coo

  • BraxKedren
    Captain
    Insider
    Founder

    @braxkedren I know and agree about those, but I get called these even though I have criticism of areas of the game, but not the whole game over all. Also, when I like to post on posts some people here like to make with their stupidty talking instead of their head....but oh well.

    As for the THD fetch quest system...it's basically the same thing we get from Voyages, just a different mechanic to it.

    Gold hoarder gives you a Voyage and a map.
    Merrick gave you a tale and a location

    On that Voyage, you dig up chest, get another "continued voyage"
    Merricks, journal just sends you back to him or another tale to another location

    So basically these are very similar, just the mechanics of HOW the deliver system is used/given was changed. Added that the script DID make it more engaging so that was an improvement. The 5 man crew/working together had been a requested feature players wanted and I'm guessing thrown in to try to test the waters of that mechanic.

    If Rare was to include a "scripted questline" I do think it would be a good idea, hell I think it would be a great idea.

    I'd implement it via Lotro Book story line in that game. So while we as Pirates are making a name for ourselves, we follow a "Storyline" as well based off their Tales book and comics and possibly the novel coming later this year.

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