Skull and Bones release date: Gameplay, pre-order, trailer and news

Along with the likes of GTA 6 and Skate 4, Skull and Bones had joined a list of long-awaited games that seemed doomed to never come out.

However, it does seem as if Skull and Bones has nearly reached port, with gameplay videos and trailers promising an open-world multiplayer pirate game with crossplay and cross-progression across several platforms.

Hopefully, it will be worth the wait. In the meantime, here's everything we know about the long-gestating Skull and Bones.

When is the Skull and Bones release date?

The Skull and Bones release date is now early 2023-24, according to a Ubisoft press release.

Likely referring to the next fiscal year, this means Skull and Bones could launch anywhere between April and December 2023. However, you can still pre-order your copy now from retailers such as GAME.

Work began on Skull and Bones in 2013 initially as an expansion for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, before being announced as an independent title in 2017. Since then Skull and Bones has become infamous for its numerous delays, with the game now experiencing its sixth delay from its most recent release date of March 2023.

Skull and Bones seems to finally be near completion, however, with the press release stating that the delay was "to have more time to showcase a much more polished and balanced experience".

Can I pre-order Skull and Bones?

Yes, pre-orders are available now for Skull and Bones, so you can secure your copy nice and early from retailers such as GAME.

The Skull and Bones price appears to be £64.99 GBP for the Standard Edition here in the UK, while the Premium Edition is £89.99 and comes with a fair amount of cosmetic items.

There is also a GAME-exclusive Special Edition for £67.99 – that one comes with an additional mission, Bloody Bones’ Legacy.

In terms of a Skull and Bones pre-order bonus, Ubisoft states that players who pre-order the game will get the Highness of the High Sea Pack, which includes the Notoriety Garb Captain Outfit and the Coronation Firework.

Which consoles and platforms can play Skull and Bones?

Skull and Bones will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Amazon Luna and PC, with the Epic Games Store and the Ubisoft Store hosting the computer-friendly version. There's no sign of a Steam release for Skull and Bones as of yet after an initial Steam page was delisted.

A Google Stadia release was also initially planned, but the cloud gaming service has since shut down.

Is Skull and Bones on PS4 and Xbox One?

Skull and Bones will not be available on PS4 and Xbox One, with Ubisoft making the decision to embrace the next-gen consoles instead. Likewise, there are no announced plans for a Nintendo Switch version of Skull and Bones.

Skull and Bones gameplay and story details

The Skull and Bones gameplay trailer, embedded above this paragraph, provides our best look yet at the pirate game in action. You can see the graphics, a few of the environments and menus, and some of the ship-based combat in that video.

Describing the experience of Skull and Bones in a recent announcement, Ubisoft said: "Players will get to experience the authentic pirate life. From accepting contracts, gathering resources, to navigating important trade routes and attacking wealthy merchant ships, each decision will influence their journey, with varying levels of risk and reward."

The description continues: "As they grow their Infamy, players will be able to fully craft and customise their naval fleet and unlock a variety of new items throughout the game.

And in terms of the Skull and Bones story, we do at least have an idea of when the game is meant to be set.

Ubisoft has said, "The game is inspired by one of the deadliest periods in history – the end of the 17th century. Considered to be the second Golden Age of Piracy, it sets the stage for a chaotic and ruthless era of pirates, warring factions, powerful organisations, and empires all vying for power in the untamed paradise of the Indian Ocean."

Is there a Skull and Bones trailer?

There is another Skull and Bones trailer for you to check out, as well. Although it doesn't contain actual gameplay footage, the CGI trailer below is well worth a look as we wait for Skull and Bones to eventually release.

Hungry for more gaming? Visit our video game release schedule, or swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news.

Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.