Season 17 of Sea of Thieves has quietly launched, introducing The Smugglers League, a clandestine new faction with six secret hideouts across the dangerous archipelago. This update allows players to embark on high-risk Smugglers’ Route Runs, tasked with delivering valuable goods amid potential piracy. Players can discover new routes via messages in bottles found in challenging locations like the volcanic region known as The Devil’s Roar.

Upcoming gameplay enhancements include:

• Higher Renown Cap: The game now offers 100 extra levels.
• Improved Controls: Updates to controller keybinds.
• Enhanced Matchmaking: Better cross-region matchmaking.
• Volcano Adjustments: More predictable eruption cycles for better escape planning.

Despite the challenges, Sea of Thieves continues to flourish, contrasting the fate of Rare’s other title, Everwild, which was recently canceled amid corporate cutbacks affecting many developers.