Major changes are coming to Sea of Thieves PvP in Season 8

What you need to know

• The ongoing pirate sandbox is preparing to ship fresh content.
• Season 8 of Sea of Thieves launches on November 22, 2022.
• The upcoming season brings PVP on demand and much more.

Rare’s groundbreaking open-world multiplayer experience Sea of Thieves is primed to drop its latest batch of seasonal content. Coming to Sea of Thieves across Xbox consoles and Windows PCs everywhere, Season 8 is scheduled to release on November 22, 2022, and it’s introducing an entirely new way to engage in player-versus-player combat. While ravenous pirates will certainly embrace the incorporation of PVP on-demand, even critics of the unpredictable nature of Sea of Thieves should appreciate the changes. 

Season 8 of Sea of Thieves empowers players to participate in PVP encounters via the Hourglass of Fate in the ship’s Captain Quarters. Pledge your allegiance to one of two factions and opt into PVP matchmaking that literally plunges your crew’s ship into the depths of the ocean in search of worthy contenders. Once a suitable match has been found, you’ll emerge from the waves and charge headfirst toward a rival ship. The latest overview video beautifully showcases how dramatic and seamless the system appears to be.

It’s worth noting that these PVP encounters still play out in the shared open world, meaning anyone can come to join in on the chaotic festivities. The Hourglass of Fate also encourages competition by accruing gold value based on your allegiance. Whether you’re representing the Guardians of Fortune or the Servants of the Flame, your deeds add value to your hourglass. Eventually, that growth will manifest in the form of a giant target on your back that all ships can see from their maps.