The addition of harpoon guns brings some exciting possibilities for underwater combat and maneuvering: it's a great shark deterrent (as it's likely gunpowder-based weapons won't be usable under water post-beta), and also brings the possibility that pirates will be able to attach themselves to opposing ships via the harpoons and potentially sneak up the sides. Of course, that's not the only new weapon to watch out for. The boarding axe, heavy sword, rapier, flintlock pistol, and blunderbuss will also be featured in the full version of Sea of Thiev

There are also references to more instruments beyond the hurdy-gurdy and accordion, which have become massive hits among players. Each of the two existing instruments has a lead and backing track (along with their drunk variants), but a fifth track for drums also appears to be on the cards. Many players have also wished for larger galleons allowing for crews of 5 or 6, but the datamine has revealed no fruits in that regard – just more pomegrana

Moreover, Microsoft also claims that 2016 will be even bigger for Xbox . As we look ahead to the biggest games that are in store for Xbox gamers next year, it becomes apparent that the execs at Xbox aren't just blowing smoke. These five games in particular have caught our eye as Xbox One exclusives that have the most potent

As is the case with Quantum Break , one of the biggest Xbox One exclusives coming next year is from a third-party studio. Platinum Games is developing a new action RPG called Scalebound , which will allow gamers to take the skies on the backs of dragons, and battle enemies with the help of friends in 4-player co-op. Scalebound 's Gamescom 2015 trailer impressed many, and hopefully Platinum Games can stick the landing when the game releases next y

Noah: Azario could tell you first hand Tom. I think the game has the potential to recreate a pirate experience, while also making sure you and your crew have a blast. I would’ve loved to have been able to engage in ship-to-ship combat in our demo but alas, the expansive map makes player-vs-player encounters rare, and as such, more satisfying when it does occur. I can only imagine the shenanigans that will transpire in the full g

Some prospective Sea of Thieves players may question the decision to include microtransactions, but Neate has an explanation for the business model. "Ultimately I have to look at the reality of running a game-as-service as a business," says the executive producer, adding that "My goal and everyone else's goal here is to have as many people as possible working on this, and just keep giving people reasons to return, reasons to have fun. We have to run that like a business, you need revenue coming

The Sea of Thieves closed beta has only been active for a handful of days, but that hasn't stopped hungry gamers from turning over every rock (in-game or otherwise) in the quest to uncover as much about the game as possible. The upcoming multiplayer seafaring experience will see pirates voyaging from island to island in search of treasure, contracts, and glory, but the closed beta only offers a sample-sized portion of the full picture. Now, Sea of Thieves fans have datamined the closed beta in order to get a better glimpse of what is to c

Azario: The first thing I wanted to yell when jumping into _ Sea of Thieves _ and seeing the DualShockers crew on our ship’s deck was, "Come on boys, we’re going on an adventure!" The game provides a unique type of immersion the moment you pick up the control and you immediately feel the need to play the role of pir

It's worth noting that while the datamine does reveal plenty of content that players haven't been able to experience for themselves just yet, it doesn't provide the full picture of what Sea of Thieves will bring to the table once it releases. The closed beta for Windows 10 and Xbox One users has been extended for another two days , so potential pirates still have ample time to ride the high seas to discover if the game matches their met

After years of remastering their classic games, working on Kinect-only titles, and making Avatars, Rare is finally back with their biggest game since 2008. The game in question, Sea Of Thieves patch notes of Thieves , will allow players to carve out their own unique tales on the high seas with friends in a pirate-themed multiplayer adventure. Fans responded well to the E3 2015 Sea of Thieves trailer , so hopefully we see more of Rare's next game sooner rather than la

Azario: It was at this moment that we clearly hadn’t earned our Jolly Roger. In a matter of minutes, I jumped off the crow’s nest into the deep blue sea, as Noah and Logan became intoxicated. Sadly, my crew left me for d

While the closed beta only features sharks and skeletons as AI-controlled enemies, the datamine reveals a wider variety of enemies and creatures, some of which have already been featured in trailers for the game . The data implies that the full game will feature bats, chickens, fish, parrots, pigs, seagulls, sharks, and snakes. It's not currently known if parrots will be tamable, allowing pirates to mount a feathered companion on their shoulders as they guzzle down some grog. The datamine also reveals that mermaids will not always be friendly like they are in the beta, and that the Kraken will wrap its tentacles around the ship in a manner which will likely require the crew to work together quickly in order to surv