Ubisoft is steering Skull and Bones into its most ambitious year yet, with a slew of exciting updates planned for Year 2. The multiplayer pirate game is set to expand with new modes, ships, the introduction of a Kraken, and the much-anticipated addition of land combat, which fans have been clamoring for since the game's launch last February.

During a special Year 2 showcase that premiered yesterday, Ubisoft unveiled its roadmap for the upcoming updates. The spotlight was on Season 3: Guts and Glory, scheduled for this fall, which will introduce the long-awaited land combat feature. Players can look forward to stepping off their ships to engage in thrilling swordfights and firearm battles on land. This feature is part of the Rogue Warlord additions, where players will explore sandy beaches and damp caves to rescue skilled crew members known as Officers. A teaser video provided a glimpse of what to expect, but full details will be revealed later this year.

While land combat is the headline addition, Skull and Bones Year 2 promises much more to keep players engaged throughout 2025. Season 1, Ascent into Chaos, launches today, April 15, and includes a new item ascension feature to enhance loot, challenging World Tiers, a new Schooner medium ship, and the Death Tides PvP mode. Season 2: Oaths of War, set for summer 2025, will introduce Megaforts and the formidable Frigate large ships. Season 4: Eye of the Beast, arriving this winter, will feature the Kraken, the Hunter’s Guild, and the Corvette large ship.

If you're tempted by these updates, you'll be pleased to know that Skull and Bones is hosting a free weekend from April 17 to 21. This is your chance to experience the pirate PvP action firsthand and take advantage of a yet-to-be-announced discount on the game.

Skull and Bones launched on February 16, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S, receiving a 7/10 in our review. Although Ubisoft has not disclosed official sales figures, they did mention achieving "record player engagement" shortly after the game's release. Interestingly, the launch of Skull and Bones also saw a 200% increase in players for Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag.