Sea of Thieves is gearing up for its PlayStation 5 launch very soon on April 30th, representing not only the opportunity for a big new influx of players to jazz up the existing pirate community but also the first game in Rare’s almost four-decade history to arrive on a PlayStation console.
To that end, the studio has dropped a lengthy FAQ and new Feature Overview trailer to set PS5 players expectations and reveal, in-depth, the features and accommodations they can expect from this new launch.
As far as performance goes, players on PS5 can expect parity with the Xbox version, meaning a 4K mode that is designed to run at 60FPS, as well as a high-performance 120Hz mode that’s scaled down to 1080p resolution. One added benefit players will have on Sony’s console is compatibility with the DualSense controller’s unique features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, as well as the built-in microphone and speaker for chatting to fellow pirates even without a proper headset.
Account-wise, players will be able to carry across their pirate from the Xbox/PC versions of the game thanks to a (required) Microsoft account sign-in, including all of their progress aside from an odd few platform-exclusive cosmetic items. Some of the game’s 60 base trophies will also automatically unlock based on previous progress, though Rare says not all achievements will automatically convert, and more trophies will be added to match the staggering 250+ on other platforms.
You can read the full, extensive FAQ on Sea of Thieves’ PS5 launch right here, but below are some of the more burning questions and answers about what both new and existing players can expect of the PlayStation-specific experience.
Will the PS5 version have a performance mode that allows 120 FPS?
Sea of Thieves on PlayStation 5 is optimised to run at 60 FPS in 4K resolution, with an additional performance mode available for supported TVs allowing for 120Hz refresh rates at 1080p resolution. This has parity with the Xbox Series X experience.
How will the PS5 version of Sea of Thieves work with the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller?
Sea of Thieves supports the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, including several of its unique features:
- Haptics – Sea of Thieves uses the haptic feedback technology within the DualSense controller to enhance the experience of movement and interacting with the world.
- Adaptive Triggers – Sea of Thieves uses the adaptive triggers within the DualSense controller to heighten gunplay, allowing players to feel each pull of the trigger.
- Built-In Microphone and Speaker – Sea of Thieves uses the built-in microphone so players can chat to their friends without the need for a connected headset.
Which Trophies will be available, and if I’ve already unlocked Trophies via existing platforms, will I still be able to Platinum Sea of Thieves on PS5? Will Trophies auto-unlock if I previously met the criteria?
All active Sea of Thieves achievements on Xbox and Steam will convert into Trophies on PS5. While existing achievement progress may result in some Trophies unlocking immediately upon login, players will need to replay to fully unlock Trophies on PS5.
Both new and existing players can progress through the base Trophy set (60 Trophies) to achieve the new Platinum Trophy ‘Pirate Perfectionist’.
Additionally, although more Trophies will be added over time, similar to achievements, only the initial base set of Trophies at launch will contribute towards unlocking the Platinum title.
If I’ve played Sea of Thieves before, will my will my progress/items transfer?
Fear not, Commendation collectors! When linking your PlayStation and Microsoft accounts, any active pirate character becomes playable in the PS5 version of Sea of Thieves. This means that any progress made with that pirate, including Commendations, cosmetics, Twitch Drops and accumulated gold, Doubloons and Ancient Coins, will synchronise across all other platforms linked to that account.
Despite the presence of a limited selection of designated platform exclusives, all additional cosmetics that players have previously acquired or bought will remain accessible when playing the PlayStation 5 version of Sea of Thieves. This selection is subject to change as cosmetics become available through alternative avenues, and we will keep you all updated as this progresses.
Only cosmetics and items obtained through platform-exclusive offers may not be fully equippable across different devices. For instance, the Duke ship cosmetics linked to the Xbox Series X|S launch won’t be usable on PS5. Similarly, items like the Ruby Viper cosmetics or Dauntless Adventurer Closed Beta rewards, exclusive to PlayStation pre-order campaigns, won’t be equippable on Xbox or Steam.
Will playing Sea of Thieves on PS5 require Xbox Live or PlayStation®Plus?
PlayStation players will need a PS Plus subscription to engage in multiplayer gameplay, but even without an active subscription you can still sail solo in Safer Seas mode. PlayStation players won’t be required to purchase an Xbox Game Pass subscription when playing on PS5.
While playing solo in Safer Seas does not require a live subscription, this is not an offline mode as it is still connected to servers hosted in the cloud. Safer Seas can usually be played with a crew, but playing without a live subscription only enables solo play – joining other players’ sessions or inviting them to your own is not possible while playing the game in this way.
Safer Seas mode still allows access to the vast majority of content in the game, including all the story-driven Tall Tales. Notable exceptions are PvP-focused elements such as The Reaper’s Bones and Faction battles, as well as the Athena’s Fortune Trading Company and World Events such as the Fort of the Damned and Fort of Fortune.
