February 1, 2025
Is Sea of Thieves Worth Playing in 2025? A Look at the Game’s Future
Looking ahead to 2025, many players are hopeful for a revival of the game’s strengths and the introduction of fresh, engaging content.

As 2024 comes to a close, Sea of Thieves has had one of its most unusual years yet. With four major seasons packed with content, the game has delivered on new experiences, but it has also struggled with performance issues and a lack of cohesive storytelling. Looking ahead to 2025, many players are hopeful for a revival of the game’s strengths and the introduction of fresh, engaging content.
The State of Sea of Thieves in 2024
While Sea of Thieves saw a steady flow of new content throughout the year, the game also faced some of its biggest challenges. Performance issues have been a persistent complaint, with players experiencing lag, hit registration problems, and various server instabilities. Additionally, the game’s storytelling, which once thrived on environmental storytelling and evolving lore, has largely faded.
That being said, Sea of Thieves still has a lot to offer. The addition of new mechanics, weapons, and cosmetics has kept players engaged, and with the game expanding to PlayStation 5, there’s potential for a fresh wave of players in 2025. However, to truly sustain and grow its player base, Sea of Thieves will need to address its underlying technical problems and refine its approach to narrative content.

What to Expect in 2025
Season 15 (February – April 2025): The Hunter’s Call Update
The first major update of the year will focus on the Hunter’s Call, the fishing and cooking faction that has largely been overlooked in past updates. Split into three phases across February, March, and April, this update aims to provide more consistent content drops and improve player retention. If executed well, it could counteract the common seasonal player drop-off seen after initial updates.
Season 16 (May 2025): A Quality of Life Overhaul?
Many in the community are hoping for a season dedicated to improving existing features rather than simply adding new ones. Enhancements to world events, trading company voyages, and underutilized mechanics like Reaper Runs, Coral Treasuries, and Shrines would be well received. Buffing rewards for longer events, such as the Skull Fort and Ghost Fleets, would also improve player engagement. A long-requested feature, such as outfit saving, could make its way into the game, significantly improving quality-of-life aspects.
Season 17 (August 2025): The Return of Flameheart?
Season 17 will mark a year since Flameheart’s return, making it an ideal time to expand his story. The Reaper’s Hideout could get a long-awaited revamp, bringing it in line with its lore significance. Additionally, the introduction of more Reaper’s Bones cosmetics and weapons would help round out one of the game’s most popular factions. Speculation suggests that this season could feature a major event centered around Flameheart’s growing power and his potential hunt for the Skeleton Curse cure.
Season 18 (November 2025): A Grand Finale for the Year
The final season of 2025 is expected to tie into the Sea of the Damned, an area rich with lore potential. This could include an overhaul of the Fort of the Damned, as well as long-awaited features such as an Ancient Temple or the teased sea monster from early 2023. Sandbox content is expected to play a major role, giving players more tools to experiment with rather than simply providing structured missions.

Addressing Key Issues
Performance & Stability
One of the biggest concerns for Sea of Thieves heading into 2025 is its overall game health. The game has been operating at capacity for years, making major improvements difficult. However, Rare has committed to refining server performance and reducing technical issues. While fixes won’t happen overnight, any improvement in this area will be a welcome change.
A Return to Strong Storytelling
The game’s storytelling has been fragmented in recent years, and many players want to see a return to the environmental storytelling and interactive narrative choices that defined the 2018-2020 era. The breadcrumbs are starting to appear, with characters like Merrick making their way back into the world, but the developers will need to lean into these elements more consistently to truly recapture the magic of earlier years.
Hourglass PvP Needs an Overhaul
The Hourglass mode has become increasingly problematic, suffering from a lack of variety, rampant cheating, and a diminishing player base. Simple fixes, such as patching commendations to work correctly and improving matchmaking times, could make a significant difference. Additionally, new incentives, including exclusive rewards, a 2v2 ship mode, or the introduction of a third PvP faction like the Dark Brethren, could reinvigorate this part of the game.

Is Sea of Thieves Worth Playing in 2025?
Pros:
- Regular content updates – Seasons continue to bring new adventures and mechanics.
- Expanded player base – PlayStation 5 release could introduce fresh competition and allies.
- Sandbox potential – The game thrives on player-driven creativity and emergent gameplay.
- Developer commitment – Despite some issues, Rare remains dedicated to refining and expanding the game.
Cons:
- Technical problems persist – Performance issues and bugs continue to frustrate players.
- Inconsistent storytelling – Narrative elements feel disjointed compared to earlier years.
- PvP mode struggles – Hourglass PvP needs significant improvements to stay relevant.
Where to Get Sea of Thieves for the Best Price
If you’re considering jumping back into Sea of Thieves in 2025, don’t overpay! GameGator’s price comparison tool helps you find the lowest price for a Sea of Thieves Steam key from trusted sellers.
With a year of exciting updates ahead and a potential rebound in both content and stability, Sea of Thieves remains a thrilling and unpredictable experience. Whether you’re a veteran pirate or a newcomer setting sail for the first time, there’s plenty to explore on the horizon!