Summary
Ubisoft’s latest release,Skull and Bones,has seen its price reduced by $25 only three weeks after its release, though it has since returned to full price.Skull and Bonesis Ubisoft’s second $70 AAA title behind December 2023’s first-person adventure shooterAvatar: Frontiers of Pandora. As the price of video games has risen from the $60 standard over the past several years, many gamers have become more selective over which games they choose to spend money on, live service titles especially.
After years of new trailers, disappointing delays, and even a development reboot,Skull and Bonesis finally available to the masses. The pirate-themed live service ship combat game launched to unremarkable reception, with manyUbisoft fans opting to revisitAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flaginstead. Ever sinceSkull and Bones' beta weekends,Black Flaghas seen its player counts skyrocket, as its stellar naval combat served as the springboard for Ubisoft to move ahead withSkull and Bonesin the first place. Additionally, rumors of aBlack Flagremake have garnered a lot of buzz and excitement throughout the gaming zeitgeist, certainly more so thanSkull and Bones’launch has.
Now, only a few weeks after its release,Skull and Bones' controversial $70 price taghas been slashed nearly in half to $45 at Best Buy. Unfortunately for gamers who have been waiting for a price cut to set sail on the open sea,Skull and Boneswas mysteriously restored back to its original $70 price just a day later. The reasons for this strange $25 price reduction are unknown, though it’s possible it could’ve been an error on Best Buy’s end, considering it was reverted the next day.Skull and Bonesis currently available for $65 at GameStop, making it apparent that the game is slowly beginning to come down in price.
Skull and Bones Price Temporarily Dropped To $45 At Best Buy
WhileSkull and Bones' Best Buy price has since gone back up to $70, it’s possible it will see another permanent drop sometime soon, as it is still struggling to find its footing weeks after launch. Most live service games launch as free to play, so when an online service game comes along that asks gamers to shell out $70, the company behind it almost always meets backlash and the title is more likely to struggle. If its price does happen to plummet by summer,Skull and Boneswould have a better chance at finding success, as more people would be willing to dive into its open seas.
Skull and Bonesisn’t the only big new 2024 game to have its $70 price tag slashed. Rocksteady’s strugglingSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguehas seen similar price cutsat most big retailers, though these seem to be permanent, even with a seasonal roadmap with new characters like the Joker lined up. As 2024 continues, it’ll be interesting to see where the prices of these AAA live service games end up by the end of the year after their initial $70 launches, and whether this practice is destined to be short-lived.
Skull and Bones
WHERE TO PLAY
Set sail into the vibrant open world of Skull and Bones, a naval online action RPG where you rise to become the most fearsome pirate kingpin.ENGAGE IN SPECTACULAR NAVAL COMBATPrepare for devastating battles by crafting a dozen different ships and equip your fleet with powerful loadouts. Unlock stronger weapons as you progress and customize your ships to reflect your unique pirate playstyle.SAIL INTO A DANGEROUS HELL IN PARADISEVoyage into the Indian Ocean and explore a vast open world teeming with cutthroat pirates, deadly sea monsters, supernatural threats, devastating storms, and more.TEAM UP WITH FELLOW PIRATESSail the lawless seas solo or team up with two friends or other players to partake in shareable contracts and rewards.ENJOY EVER-EVOLVING CONTENTEach season, face a brand-new legendary sea lord and discover fresh content, limitless endgame opportunities, and new exciting features designed to enhance your pirate experience.
