LONG POST WARNING
These are just basic concepts for now, so if one idea doesn’t appeal to you, don’t worry—the details are still up in the air. If you have your own spin or ideas on this concept, feel free to share! I think Rare should add something like this, and if we can workshop it together as a community into a more polished idea, we might create something really special. In the end, Rare always does things in their own time and way, so this idea will never be exactly what we make—if they make it at all.
Recently I have been thinking about the amazing, yet underutilized interactive emote technology that was added back in season 10 with guilds. there could be so much more done with this that has not been done!
So today I would like to provide a few concepts that would make many pirate activities possible. but first, two important notes
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This technology could be expanded so a single interactive emote connects with multiple players’ hitboxes, creating a larger area for props to be used, even allowing entire tables and chairs to be summoned. Some of these emotes could also link to existing ship components, opening up unique new ways to use classic ship tools. these new interactive emotes would be added to the underutilized guild emote category, as there is plenty of room there.
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A fun idea for this concept is adding pirate-themed games. The main reason these haven’t shown up yet seems to be concerns that gambling might affect the game’s rating. But research suggests that if betting isn’t a built-in feature and instead just a verbal agreement between players, it wouldn’t impact the rating since online interactions aren’t rated. If it’s entirely verbal, based on physical loot items and trust, with no in-game system transferring money between accounts, the rating should stay the same. This already happens in small ways with dice-rolling emotes, where players gamble over HG wins without affecting the rating. And in Sea of Thieves, broken promises are common—if the loot stayed in loot form, a betrayal after a game gone wrong would be peak “pirate game.”
Don’t believe it? Just check out all the players who’ve built Minecraft casinos, then take a look at Minecraft’s rating—E10+. Checkmate.
now, with the notes out of the way, here are the emote ideas I have had so far.
Duel Emote: challenge an opponent to a friendly duel! Both pirates get an alternate blue health bar, making them only able to damage each other. Each player’s inventory switches to 3 bananas, a sword, and a pistol with 2 shots. A classic pirate showdown straight out of POTC.
Checkers/chess emote:
Pull out a small, low-to-the-ground game table, sit down, and enjoy a round of classic chess or checkers! No one to play with? Same here! So, you bring out an official Order of Souls “Skull of Games” as your opponent, which telekinetically moves its own pieces. a lore friendly solo mode!
"Secret Reaper" Card game emote
A classic social deduction card game that makes full use of Sea of Thieves' integrated voice chat. Most players take on the role of normal emissaries, but one is secretly a member of the Reaper's Bones. Using their unique emissary skills, players work to expose the hidden Reaper and send them walking the plank! But be careful—there’s only one chance to vote someone out. Think of it as Mafia on steroids, perfect for 4 or more players. One shot, make it count.
"Skeletons and Strongholds" Card and dice game
This thrilling card and dice game pits you and your crew against waves of skeletons and powerful bosses in a perilous stronghold. Your pirate’s in-game weapons match whatever you have equipped, so if you’re rocking throwing knives and a blowpipe, that’s what your character will use. Defeating skeletons earns you copper to spend on supply cards like bananas and blunder bombs, while pricier gear such as tridents and kegs can be bought for a steeper cost. And yes, with the 20-sided die in play, there’s always the chance you might accidentally blow yourself up with the keg you just bought.
"Port Merrick Hold 'Em" Emote
Grab a seat at a table for Texas Hold 'Em with a swashbuckling twist—pirates, treasure, and high-seas bluffing. The chips are mostly just for show, with no real money on the line. That doesn’t stop these pirates from making colorful verbal wagers, though. “I bet 12 bananas!”
"War Table" emote
Pull up some chairs and gather with your alliance members around the map table, transforming it into your war map. Grab the little wooden ships and shuffleboard sticks to chart your plans for conquering the seas! The number of allied ships depends on how many members are in the alliance, while enemy ships can be placed without any limits.
