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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSea of Thieves’ planned subscription Custom Servers became Custom Seas, a free in-game creative toolset that launched with Season 20 on June 18, 2026. Season 21 added Layouts for saving and resuming configured sessions. Rare also revised the Season Pass and announced changes to the Insider Programme, though its planned 2026 relaunch is not confirmed by the current information.
How Rare’s Custom Servers plan became free Custom Seas
Rare’s announcements changed over time, so the July 2025 subscription proposal should not be mistaken for the feature that launched. The current product is Custom Seas, released with Season 20 on June 18, 2026, and Rare said it would be free to every player. Rare’s Season 20 announcement describes it as an in-game creative toolset for configuring sessions, creating modes and challenges, and building private worlds.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Sea of Thieves: Standard Edition – Xbox One | $38.87 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Sea of Thieves Xbox One (Renewed) | $30.14 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Sea of Thieves: Standard Edition – Xbox One [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41RiuntPiNL._SL160_.jpg)
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Sea of Thieves: Standard Edition – Xbox One [Digital Code] | $35.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Sea of Thieves - Xbox One/PC - Full Game - Key Card | $57.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Sea of Thieves Xbox One | $76.41 | Buy on Amazon |
| Announcement | Access and scope | Documented features |
|---|---|---|
| July 10, 2025: Custom Servers proposal | Subscription feature planned for early 2026; Rare said the subscription was intended to support ongoing development. | A private customizable sandbox, commands to spawn enemies and loot, an option to turn off AI enemies, Safer Seas Fleets for friends, and a cinematic camera. These were features in the earlier proposal, not a complete specification of the later release. Rare’s July 2025 Community Direct |
| March 30, 2026: Custom Seas announced as free | Rare said Custom Seas would be free to every player, replacing the subscription framing. | Part of a broader reset that also included changes to the seasonal reward track and new Limited Commercial Usage Guidelines. Rare’s March 2026 recap |
| June 18, 2026: Season 20 launch | Custom Seas launched as a free creative toolset. | Session switches, Command Menu, saved Presets, rule and scoreboard settings, item and wildlife spawning, fast travel, and Free Camera. Rare’s Season 20 announcement |
| September 17, 2026: Season 21 update | Rare described Custom Seas as continuing to expand. | Layouts can save the game state, including spawned items and their positions, for repeat use. Rare said more refinements would follow during Season 21 and beyond. Rare’s Season 21 announcement |
What can you do in Custom Seas?
Custom Seas puts session configuration and creative controls inside the game. Players can use switches and the Command Menu to adjust a session, then save settings as Presets. The announced tools include:
- Change rules and settings, including configuring a scoreboard.
- Spawn treasure, items, and wildlife to shape a challenge or activity.
- Use fast travel to move around a configured session.
- Use Free Camera for a cinematic view.
- Save a Layout in Season 21 to preserve a game state and the positions of spawned items for later use.
Rare’s announcements establish the feature’s launch and these documented capabilities, but do not provide a complete current list of limits or establish availability by platform or region. Consult the in-game menus and current official guidance for details that may depend on your setup.
#1 Best Overall
- A shared-world adventure game by acclaimed UK developer Rare Ltd. Xbox Live Gold required to play (sold separately)
- Live the essential pirate life in a world rich with Rare’s irreverent charm. Sail and fight together, hunt treasure and create your own legends
- A fantastical world of unspoiled islands, mythical monsters and mouth-watering loot. Total freedom to decide how you approach the world and its players
- Xbox One Console exclusive
- Battery: no battery used;Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Crude humor, use of alcohol, violence
What changed in the Season Pass?
Season 20 replaced the former 100-level reward track with a 50-level Season Pass organized into tiers with reward choices. The free pass remains available to all players; the Season Pass: Premium Tier is a separate optional paid addition with another pool of unlockable items. Rare also said players can use Ancient Coins to buy up to 10 levels per Season. Rare’s Season 20 announcement describes the revised pass.
Completing level 50 unlocks that season’s Star Prize. For Season 20, Rare named the Greed’s Reach Cutlass as the example. The Premium Tier was described as including a progression boost and Ancient Coins for Season 20; those details should not be read as a guarantee about the contents of every later season’s tier.
Rank #2
- A shared-world adventure game by acclaimed UK developer Rare Ltd. Xbox Live Gold required to play (sold separately)
- Live the essential pirate life in a world rich with Rare's irreverent charm. Sail and fight together, hunt treasure and create your own legends!
- A fantastical world of unspoiled islands, mythical monsters and mouth-watering loot
- Total freedom to decide how you approach the world and its players
- Available on the Xbox One family of devices and Windows 10 PCs. Supports Xbox Play Anywhere and cross-platform play** (**Play on one device at a time. PC hardware requirements may vary for games on Windows 10).The Hungering Deep, the first major Sea of Thieves content update landing May 2018, brings with it an exciting new threat to the Sea of Thieves world. Work together with other crews on a completely new adventure with gameplay enhancements and unique rewards.The May kick-off of the Sea of Thieves weekly events programme also introduces fun new ways to play with weekly events and rewards.
What changed in the Insider Programme?
In July 2025, Rare announced that it would lift the NDA for registered Insiders, allowing them to discuss, stream, and capture content from preview builds openly. Rare also said it planned to relaunch the Insider Programme in 2026. The available current information does not confirm that this planned relaunch has happened.
Rare’s Insider Programme FAQ, listed as updated June 16, 2026, describes preview-build access, newsletters, behind-the-scenes content, and an exclusive forum. It says participants need to own Sea of Thieves or have an active Game Pass membership, register on the Insider site with an Xbox Live account, and accept the programme terms. Check the FAQ for current registration and participation details.
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Rank #3
- Sea of Thieves offers the essential pirate experience, from sailing and fighting to exploring and looting – everything you need to live the pirate life and become a legend in your own right.
- Whether you’re voyaging as a group or sailing solo, you’re bound to encounter other crews in this shared-world adventure – but will they be friends or foes, and how will you respond?
What Rare said about its wider changes
Rare’s March 2026 recap said its three-Act content model was not working for its internal teams or player expectations. The same announcement introduced Limited Commercial Usage Guidelines for people making Sea of Thieves-inspired creations. Rare described their broad purpose, but the announcement alone does not establish the precise permissions or restrictions for selling particular work; makers should read the guidelines themselves before relying on them.
In that recap, Head of Community and Comms Christina “Fair Fight” McFairholme said, “We will not touch your gold.” The statement was a reassurance about the game’s health and economy in the context of Rare’s wider changes, not a description of Custom Seas access or Season Pass terms.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A shared-world adventure game by acclaimed UK developer Rare Ltd. Xbox Live Gold required to play (sold separately)
- Live the essential pirate life in a world rich with Rare's irreverent charm. Sail and fight together, hunt treasure and create your own legends!
- A fantastical world of unspoiled islands, mythical monsters and mouth-watering loot
- Total freedom to decide how you approach the world and its players
- Available on the Xbox One family of devices and Windows 10 PCs. Supports Xbox Play Anywhere and cross-platform play** (**Play on one device at a time. PC hardware requirements may vary for games on Windows 10).The Hungering Deep, the first major Sea of Thieves content update landing May 2018, brings with it an exciting new threat to the Sea of Thieves world. Work together with other crews on a completely new adventure with gameplay enhancements and unique rewards.The May kick-off of the Sea of Thieves weekly events programme also introduces fun new ways to play with weekly events and rewards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
