Sea of Thieves producer discusses ethical monetization, and how internal backlash saved a crab

For Xbox Chaturday'southward big 50th episode, I had the pleasure of existence joined by Joe Neate, the executive producer on Body of water of Thieves. I was honored and excited to take the opportunity to chat with a key figure from Rare in such a comfy, relaxed format.

In add-on to discussing the game reveals that excited u.s.a. at The Game Awards and our impressions of Halo Infinite's campaign, we besides touched on the team'south want to push button ethical monetization practices, the culture of Xbox Game Studios, and how a fan-favorite crab almost met its untimely demise.

Upstanding monetization in ongoing games

Sea Of Thieves Season Source: Xbox Game Studios (screenshot)

During our two-hr session, ane of my favorite conversations involved an evaluation of the monetization practices required to sustain an ongoing game. Many players accept pre-conceived notions or theories equally to why companies implement sure monetization practices, and it was incredible to hear thoughtful explanations into how these decisions are made.

"We'd rather have more people spending less than a smaller amount of people spending loads."

After touching upon Body of water of Thieves' transition to a seasonal update model, Neate began detailing how the team at Rare aims to deliver a fairly priced selection of optional cosmetics that respect the heir-apparent'south time and fiscal investments. He described the studio'due south careful approach to microtransactions past stating, "if people spend money in Bounding main of Thieves, they should never regret it."

Neate so spoke about how Rare and the team at Sea of Thieves volition continue to agree themselves answerable when it comes to delivering what's best for all players as well as the business. Information technology was refreshing to have a candid word on how, in some cases, information technology can be easier for a company to chase financial success by exploiting their virtually dedicated fans while also explaining how this isn't the well-nigh upstanding approach and one the Sea of Thieves team fights difficult to avoid.

To brand the team's strategy clear, Neate stated, "nosotros'd rather have more than people spending less than a smaller corporeality of people spending loads." Equally someone who's often questioned the monetization practices of ongoing games, I plant his insights fascinating and refreshing.

The civilisation of Xbox and the fate of a crab

Sea Of Thieves Combat Source: Windows Central

In addition to detailing Rare's strategy for providing a fair and rewarding monetization system for its players, Neate and I likewise touched upon Xbox Game Studios and its civilization of empowerment. Neate passionately described Xbox's arroyo to management.

"When I look at the leadership of Xbox, Phil Spencer, and Matt Booty, their method is very much empower your teams to make decisions and manage their games in the means they feel are all-time to exercise," he said.

He then described how you tin see this represented in the quality of games released by Xbox Game Studios in 2022. Neate further iterated on Xbox'due south mission of game evolution, stating, "speaking every bit a games developer, all you're ever doing is asking how do I make the best decisions for my game and the community?"

"Mike Chapman did take a programme to kill off that crab, and we actually did some piece of work to do information technology."

In another nearly tragic conversation, Neate talked virtually how a beloved crab mascot affectionately nicknamed "Shelly" past the community was well-nigh killed off in A Pirate'southward Life. As someone who'south championed this cherished crustacean since its debut in one of the kickoff update trailers for Body of water of Thieves, I was taken aback by this development.

Afterwards asking if this crab's inclusion in most of the game's official trailers foreshadowed whatever features or story beats, Neate detailed the dark timeline where Shelly was murdered. "Mike Chapman did have a program to kill off that crab, and we actually did some work to practise information technology, but in that location was a flake of defection amongst the team." Thankfully, some vocal members of Rare have spared this crab for at present, but information technology seems similar its fate is all the same uncertain in the earth of Sea of Thieves.

All topics covered in this episode

Sea Of Thieves A Pirates Life Jack Sparrow Source: Windows Primal

Joe Neate's game development journey - 00:05:x
- Joe described how he got into game development and what led to his current role as Executive Producer on Sea of Thieves.
Hellblade 2 gameplay reveals - 00:26:ten
- We discussed the stunning gameplay reveal for Senua's Saga: Hellblade II and what it's similar seeing Ninja Theory truly evangelize.
Has Rare Been Using Unreal Engine 5? - 00:31:xl
- I asked whether or not Rare has been experiment with Unreal Engine 5 in Sea of Thieves or their other titles.
Halo Infinite campaign impressions - 00:50:43
- Joe and I shared our excitement regarding 343 Industries delivering an incredible Halo package.
The civilisation of Xbox Game Studios - 00:58:50
- Nosotros discussed how the leadership of Xbox aims to empower its teams to make the decisions necessary to deliver the best games possible.
Upstanding monetization in ongoing games - 01:09:45
- Joe explained Rare's arroyo to implementing microtransactions that respect players time and money.
How long will the team back up Sea of Thieves? - 01:37:40
- We dove into the futurity of Sea of Thieves and whether or not we'd ever see a Bounding main of Thieves 2.
The fate of the crab - 01:42:45
- Joe shockingly details the squad's original plans to kill a beloved crab.
Customs Q & A - 02:00:00
- Joe answers a host of customs questions regarding crossovers, upcoming features, and requests for Sea of Thieves.

Sea of Thieves is bigger and better than ever before and there's genuinely never been a better time to dive in and start your pirate voyage. Season 5 is out at present, and so come across for yourself why this is one of the best games on Xbox Game Laissez passer.

The all-time deal in gaming

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Hundreds of games for one monthly toll.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundles your Xbox Live Golden subscription, an Xbox Game Pass subscription for both Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and Xbox Cloud Gaming for on-the-go. This means admission to all your favorite games no matter where you play.

We may earn a committee for purchases using our links. Acquire more than.