Ubisoft is setting sail for an ambitious Year 2 for Skull and Bones, aiming to make it the most significant update yet for this pirate-themed multiplayer game. The company has unveiled a wealth of new content, including new game modes, ships, and the long-awaited addition of land combat, which fans have been clamoring for since the game's launch last February.

During a special Year 2 showcase that premiered recently, Ubisoft detailed their plans for the upcoming year. The highlight of the presentation was Season 3: Guts and Glory, which will introduce land combat this fall. This feature, part of the Rogue Warlord additions, will allow players to engage in swordfights and use firearms on land, venturing onto beaches and into caves to rescue skilled crew members known as Officers. A teaser video offered a glimpse into what players can expect, though full details will be revealed later this year.

While land combat is the most anticipated addition, Skull and Bones Year 2 has much more in store. Season 1, Ascent into Chaos, launches today, April 15, and includes a new item ascension feature to enhance loot, challenging World Tiers, a new Schooner medium ship, and the team-based Death Tides PvP mode. Season 2: Oaths of War, arriving in summer 2025, will bring Megaforts and the massive Frigate large ships. Finally, Season 4: Eye of the Beast, scheduled for this winter, will introduce the Kraken, the Hunter’s Guild, and the Corvette large ship.

If these updates sound exciting, you're in luck. Skull and Bones is offering a free weekend from April 17 – 21, allowing players to experience pirate PvP firsthand. Additionally, the game will be available at a discounted price during this period, though the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.

Skull and Bones launched on February 16, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S, receiving a 7/10 in our review. While Ubisoft has not released official sales figures, they did report "record player engagement" shortly after the game's release. Interestingly, the launch of Skull and Bones also saw a 200% increase in players for Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag.