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After years of making us wait, Ubisoft is finally giving fans the chance to play multiplayer pirate game Skull and Bones. Ahead of the game’s February 16 release date (February 13 for Premium Edition customers), Ubisoft is holding a Skull and Bones open beta on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Available to all players with or without a pre-order, the Skull and Bones open beta has a February 8 release date and a 2am GMT UK launch time. The open beta ends at 11pm GMT on February 11. To ensure you don’t miss a second of the action, fans can pre-load the game early by visiting the game’s official website and following the link to the required platform.
The open beta includes access to the Red Isle, which contains the pirate den of Sainte-Anne.
According to Ubisoft, the Den is a “safe zone where you can interact with other players, craft your ships, weapons, and equipment with the help of the skilled craftsmen who have made this place their home”.
“You’ll be able to access your warehouse to store loot, repair your ship, sell the commodities you liberated from rich merchants, and more.”
Unlike the previous closed betas, the new demo lets players sail the Open Seas and visit the East Indies.
“Explore the Red Isle, Coast of Africa, Open Seas as well as the East Indies during this Open Beta to meet the different factions present in-game and face them peacefully or turn against them in combat.”
The open beta also gives players the chance to complete Main Campaign Contracts, which serve as a tutorial of sorts.
Players will be able to complete Main Campaign Contracts up until a mission titled “Exterminate the Rat”.
While there’s a limit on how many missions you can complete and what level you can reach, fans will be able to continue playing for the duration of the beta.
Players will be able to hunt down loot and earn silver, plus take part in various activities, which can be tracked using the Logbook and Journal.
Taking part in the beta will unlock a variety of rewards, including the Basilisk I Culverin weapon, a selection of ship cosmetics, a new pet, plus the Sign Language emote.
The rewards can be unlocked by reaching certain Tiers, using a medium ship and participating in a world event.
Additional rewards can be earned by watching official Twitch streams for a set period of time.