Sea of Thieves is Rare’s shared-world pirate adventure, and it’s been sailing on Xbox since 20 March 2018. It’s part of Game Pass, and the current version is the 2026 Edition. Here’s everything we know.
Sea of Thieves at a glance
- Developer: Rare
- Publisher: Microsoft Studios
- Genre: shared-world pirate adventure
- Xbox release: 20 March 2018, Xbox One, now also optimised for Xbox Series X|S
- Game Pass: Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass
- Xbox Play Anywhere: yes
- Players: solo or crews of up to four, online
- Age rating: PEGI 12
What is Sea of Thieves?
It’s the essential pirate experience: sailing and exploring, fighting and plundering, riddle solving and treasure hunting. There are no set roles, so you’re free to approach the world, and the other real players in it, however you like.
Hunt for lost treasure, chase cursed skeleton captains or trade valuable cargo, and take on over fifty side quests. Battle rival crews and ships of the undead, raid skeleton forts and face creatures of the deep. Sail with friends, matchmake into a crew or go it alone.
Is there a story?
Yes. Tall Tales are Sea of Thieves’ take on a story-driven campaign, with eleven tales across two storylines and around 30 hours of play.
Who makes it?
Sea of Thieves is developed by Rare and published by Microsoft Studios.
When did it come out on Xbox?
It launched on 20 March 2018 on Xbox One and is optimised for Xbox Series X|S. It’s an Xbox Play Anywhere game, so one purchase covers both Xbox console and PC.
Is Sea of Thieves on Game Pass?
Yes. It’s included with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass.
Which edition should I get?
The Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition is the revised version of the game, with digital bonuses including the 2026 Edition soundtrack, the Athena’s Fortune audiobook and The Rough Guide to Sea of Thieves eBook. The 2026 Deluxe Edition, 2026 Premium Edition and X Edition add extra cosmetics, and the X Edition includes ship sets inspired by Xbox games. Optional cosmetics are also sold in the Pirate Emporium for Ancient Coins, with stock rotated each month.
For the essentials at a glance, see our Sea of Thieves game hub. Sea of Thieves also comes up in our feature I Boxed Up My Xbox Collection. Xbox Won Me Back..
