As the awaited game, Sea of Thieves (SoT), moves into its alpha testing phase, we get to take a sneak peek into some of the things the game has to offer. SoT has just recently started signups for the Alpha Tech Test through their ‘Sea of Thieves Insider Programme‘, which you can sign up for. As the game’s title suggests, one of the activities that crews will be able to partake in is hunting down stolen treasure.

Hunting treasure in SoT is very much different than most games. Disregarding the popular method of flashing objective markers or mystical trails leading you straight to the treasure, Sea of Thieves utilizes a more classical and pirate-y method when it comes to finding buried riches. In your pirate toolkit, you will find a map which, in the classic pirate fashion, will have a red ‘X’ marking the spot of the treasure. In order to find the marked spot, you will most likely have to navigate to new islands using your new best friend, the map. We’ll have to use the ships map in order to get a broader picture of where we need to go. Once arriving in the area where the treasure is buried, you still won’t find any markers saying ‘Dig Here’ or large red X’s painted on the ground, so you’ll have to use specified landmarks to find the right spot.

Once the treasure is retrieved, you’re halfway done, but you still need to get the loot back to a shipyard in order to exchange it for gold. A good pirate needs to find a secure place to stow the loot so as not to have any wayward scallywags absconding with your hard earned treasure. Of course, getting back to a port can be treacherous in itself as the sea is full of thieves ready to relieve you of your loot. It’s almost as if it’s a sea…of thieves.

Ship to ship battles are sure to take place, and if you choose to do so, you may board enemy vessels for a more intimate discussion on the definition of personal property. Also, you might as well show them what the business end of your shiny new musket looks like while you’re there. Couldn’t hurt, right?

If you happen upon the loosing end of your negotiations, you may find yourself on the Ferry of the Damned, because you’ll most likely be dead. You done got shot. However, fear not because if the cursed Captain sees fit, he may just open the door and allow you back into the realm of the living. This, of course, is always a good thing.

It would also seem that the mermaids in the Sea of Thieves are quite helpful. Rather than choosing to drown you, it seems that if your ship does happen to sink, these kind mermaids will help you find your way back to the deck of a ship so you can continue on your way. That’s awfully nice of them, don’t you think?

Whether you are the kind to track down clues to secret treasure or the kind to lie in wait for unsuspecting victims to rob, in SoT, there is a fortune to be found by all. That is, if you’re willing to take it. We at DFTG are super excited for the awesome pirate adventures that await in Sea of Thieves and we’ll be sure to keep you tuned in to any updates on the game. In the meantime, check out what else this holiday season has to offer gamers, and until next time “it’s a pirate’s life for me, savvy.”