I can't believe I'm saying this but Skull and Bones is delayed again

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The latest delay comes less than two months before the game's scheduled release.

Skull and Bones
(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Less than two months before its scheduled November 8 release, the oft-delayed Skull and Bones has been delayed again, to March 9, 2023.

Development of Skull and Bones "is finished," Ubisoft said in the delay announcement, but it needs more time to polish and balance the game based on feedback from recent technical tests. "This is the right decision both for our players and for the long-term success of the game as March 9, 2023 provides for a suitable release window for this very unique new brand."

"We’re very eager for you all to get your hands on Skull and Bones and dive in headfirst to the dangerous and exciting world of building your own pirate empire," Ubiosoft continued. "To give you the best possible experience we’ve decided to take a little more time to make sure we can deliver exactly that."

It's been rough seas for Skull and Bones from the start. It was announced more than five years ago, in June 2017, but was hit with multiple delays beyond its original fall 2018 (!) release date, and eventually fell off the map almost entirely. It finally looked like real progress toward a release was happening this year, but the first-ever gameplay reveal in July didn't really knock my socks off. Given the underwhelming state of the game, I can't say I'm entirely surprised by this latest delay.

Ubisoft also confirmed that a Skull and Bones open beta will be held prior to launch, but of course a date on that hasn't been announced. And even if it had, I would definitely mark it on the calendar with a pencil—you know, just in case.

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Andy Chalk
Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.