Skull and Bones is primarily designed as an online-only experience, meaning you require an internet connection to play the game. Here’s a breakdown of this aspect:
Online Requirement:
To access the core gameplay of Skull and Bones, including exploration, missions, and ship management, you need to be connected to the internet. This is because the game world is a shared online environment, and various features rely on online functionality.
Reasons for Online-Only:
The developers at Ubisoft haven’t explicitly stated all the reasons behind the online-only approach, but some potential factors include:
Live-service elements: The game features aspects like seasons, ongoing content updates, and potential microtransactions, which are often integrated with online features.
Seamless world population: The online-only structure allows for a more dynamic and potentially populated world, even during your single-player experience, as you might encounter other players sailing the seas.
Monetization strategy: The online infrastructure might support their chosen monetization strategy, which could involve in-game purchases or subscriptions.
Limited Offline Functionality:
While the core gameplay requires an internet connection, there are limited offline functionalities:
Tutorial: You can access the tutorial to learn the basic mechanics of the game even when offline.
Shipyard: You can access the shipyard to customize your ship while offline, although changes might not be saved until you connect online.
Community Reaction:
The online-only requirement has received mixed reactions from the Skull and Bones community:
Criticism: Some players dislike the online requirement, citing concerns about:
Dependence on internet connectivity: This can be a disadvantage for players with unreliable internet access.
Potential server issues: Online-only games can be susceptible to server outages or technical problems that hinder gameplay.
Acceptance: Others understand the potential benefits of an online-only structure, such as:
Dynamic world: The online environment can create a more dynamic and populated world, even during single-player experience.
Ongoing content: Online infrastructure might facilitate easier delivery of future updates and content additions.
Overall:
Skull and Bones is primarily an online-only experience, requiring an internet connection to access the core gameplay. This design decision has received mixed reactions from the community, with some players appreciating the potential benefits of an online world while others find it a limiting factor. It’s crucial to consider your internet connectivity and preferences before purchasing or playing the game.