The open world pirate multiplayer game Skull and Bones might be only two and a half months away from launching, at long last. The rumor appeared a few hours ago on Insider Gaming, which cited anonymous sources also confirming the existence of a Premium Edition.

　　Priced between $15 and $20 higher than the standard edition (already available for pre-order at $49.99), it will grant three days of early access, allowing players to start their journey on the seas on February 13, 2024, instead of the regular launch date of February 16, 2024. The official announcement could take place very soon, possibly at Geoff Keighley's The Game Awards 2023, airing on Thursday, December 7.

　　Skull and Bones can easily be considered among the most troubled games developed in the last decade or so. Originally conceived as a multiplayer take on the naval pirate gameplay introduced in 2013's Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, it was developed by Ubisoft Singapore as the studio's debut leading project but changed direction many times. According to rumors, it was originally set in the Caribbeans, before moving to the mythical setting of Hyperborea and finally to the Indian Ocean.

　　Skull and Bones was announced at E3 2017 with a planned Fall 2018 launch window. Needless to say, things went much differently. Back in 2020, Ubisoft Singapore told the community it was working on a new vision for the project and asked them to wait until 2021 for the showcase.

　　Eventually, an Alpha leak took care of that in April 2022. In September 2022, Ubisoft delayed the game yet again to March 2023. However, that wasn't to be either, and the publisher had to announce another postponement earlier this year. Will this release date be the final one? Honestly, it's really hard to say, but we should know either way very soon.

　　ENGAGE IN THRILLING NAVAL COMBAT

　　Sail the lawless seas solo or team up with two other players to partake in shareable contracts and rewards.

　　CUSTOMIZE YOUR SHIP TO MATCH YOUR PLAYSTYLE

　　Craft and sail up to 10 different ships at launch, each with unique perks to match your own personal playstyle.

　　FROM NOBODY TO THE MOST FEARSOME PIRATE KINGPIN

　　Grow your infamy and unlock resources and opportunities to get riskier contracts and upgrade your equipment.