Rare has announced that Sea of Thieves will get paid custom servers starting in early 2026. This new feature will allow players to create private servers with exclusive tools, including a cinematic camera previously used for the game’s trailers.
The announcement came during the game’s first community direct, Custom Seas. While Rare didn’t provide exact pricing details, they mentioned that maintaining these custom servers is costly and will require a monthly subscription fee.
Alongside the custom servers, Rare is updating the season model for Sea of Thieves. The developer admits recent seasons have lost momentum, so starting with Season 17, each three-month season will be divided into three focused phases. The first month aims to “reinvigorate the sandbox game” and “stir the pot.” The second month will center around live events, while the third month emphasizes community engagement.
These changes come shortly after Rare experienced major layoffs within its team, including the departure of Gregg Mayles, the studio’s veteran game designer with over 35 years at Rare. Executive producer Louise O’Connor, another longtime Rare member, will also leave following the cancellation of the in-development game Everwild.
Rare first revealed Everwild in 2019 and shared a trailer in 2020, but updates have been sparse since then. Xbox boss Phil Spencer had recently assured fans that progress was still happening before the project was ultimately canceled.
This shift in focus towards custom servers and a refreshed seasonal format marks a new chapter for Sea of Thieves, as Rare adapts to its evolving team and player base. Will these paid servers and season adjustments bring the spark back? Only time will tell, but it’s clear Rare wants to keep the pirate adventure alive and kicking.
