Sea of Thieves Developer Update: October 15th 2025

Summary

In this update, the team discusses the final act of Season 17, featuring Reaper Fortresses with boosted rewards and an exciting Mega Stash. They also highlight key game health improvements, including fixes for water de-sync, cheating prevention, and faster weapon switching. Spatial audio enhancements are delayed for further refinement, and efforts continue to combat cheating. The team also reveals plans to revamp the Hourglass experience, focusing on competitive play and reducing barriers for new players. This comprehensive update promises improvements to both gameplay and user experience, setting the stage for future expansions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The final act of Season 17 introduces Reaper Fortresses, enhanced battlegrounds that feature powerful rewards like Chests of Fortune and a Mega Stash boost.
• 😀 Reaper Fortresses will offer high-tier rewards for all Trading Companies, with boosted rewards during Act Three to incentivize gameplay and competition.
• 😀 The October update focuses on game health, including fixes for water de-sync on consoles, performance improvements, and bug fixes like the Blunderbomb exploit.
• 😀 Enhanced spatial audio for both console and PC will be available, but its release is delayed to fix issues discovered during *Insiders* testing.
• 😀 A new system will allow players to access the enhanced spatial audio feature without needing to share personal information, with an improved UI flow.
• 😀 The team has been actively combating cheats, addressing issues like the water bucket exploit and rapid-fire weapon techniques with swift enforcement.
• 😀 The delayed loading times after returning from the Ferry of the Damned have been addressed, improving player experience and reducing frustration.
• 😀 Weapon switching improvements are in progress, offering a smoother, snappier experience for players in *Insiders* testing before full launch.
• 😀 The Hourglass experience, a competitive mode, will be revamped to focus on improving the integrity of gameplay, reducing cheating, and enhancing battle pacing.
• 😀 Future updates will focus on offering players more control over competitive encounters in Hourglass, including better match balancing and faster rematch options.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the final update for Season 17?

The main focus of the final update for Season 17 is the introduction of Reaper Fortresses, which are upgraded Skeleton Forts that have become battlegrounds between the Reaper's Bones and the Dark Brethren. Players can earn high-tier rewards, including a Mega Stash of treasure, during Act Three.

What rewards can players expect from the new Reaper Fortresses?

The new Reaper Fortresses will feature high-tier rewards, such as Chests of Fortune, Chests of Legends, and a chance for a Mega Stash, which contains an immense amount of treasure. These rewards will be available exclusively during Act Three.

Why has the enhanced spatial audio feature been delayed?

The enhanced spatial audio feature was delayed due to critical audio issues during testing in Insiders. The team is working on optimizing the audio experience and revising the UI flow to ensure players can easily access the universal profile without needing to share personal information.

What specific bug fixes were included in the October update?

The October update includes several bug fixes, such as addressing water de-sync issues for console players, ensuring ship names display correctly after diving, fixing a Blunderbomb exploit, and making general performance improvements.

What actions has the team taken to combat cheating in Sea of Thieves?

The team has taken several actions to combat cheating, including detecting and enforcing bans on cheats like the bucket trick that allowed players to bail water onto other ships from a distance, a teleportation exploit using the ship's bed, and rapid-fire weapon techniques.

What improvements are being made to the Hourglass experience?

The team is focusing on improving the Hourglass experience by addressing cheating, controlling battle lengths, reducing prep time, adjusting rewards, and allowing for faster rematches after a loss. These changes aim to make the experience more accessible and engaging for both new and skilled players.

How are weapon switching improvements progressing?

Weapon switching improvements are progressing well, with snappier transitions and a smoother experience. These changes are being tested in Insiders and will be released in a future update after feedback is gathered.

What is the goal of the second chance policy being rolled out?

The second chance policy aims to give players who have been away from Sea of Thieves a chance to return to the game. The policy will allow certain players to rejoin the community, with more details to be shared in an upcoming article.

How does the team address the delayed loading times from the Ferry of the Damned?

The team has identified the cause of delayed loading times when returning from the Ferry of the Damned, specifically targeting scenarios where players hear their ship creaking but cannot proceed. This issue will be addressed in a future Insider update.

What are the next steps for improving Hourglass after the upcoming changes?

After the changes to improve Hourglass, the team plans to further expand on the competitive experience by establishing a stronger foundation. Future Seasons will focus on enhancing competitive play within Hourglass to offer more depth and variety.