The gaming industry's pivot towards live-service games over the past decade has been a double-edged sword. While this model has given rise to enduring titles like Fortnite and PUBG, many publishers' attempts to replicate that success have fallen short. Developing and maintaining a thriving live-service game requires a Skull and Bones Items delicate balance of engaging gameplay, meaningful progression systems, and an enthralling ongoing narrative - elements that Skull and Bones has struggled to effectively implement.

Skull and Bones' lengthy and tumultuous development cycle, spanning nearly a decade with multiple restarts, has only exacerbated the challenges it faces. When the game finally launched in February 2023, it received a lukewarm critical reception, currently holding a 59 on Metacritic. Troubling player count reports further suggest that Skull and Bones may be adrift in the crowded live-service landscape.

According to a report from Insider Gaming, the game had only around 850,000 players across all platforms in its first week, a relatively low figure for a Ubisoft title, especially one touted as the company's first "AAAA" game. Complicating matters, this number included players using the game's free trial, implying that the actual paying playerbase was likely even smaller.

Ubisoft has remained tight-lipped on Skull and Bones' performance, with no official statements on player counts or commercial success. However, the game's prominent placement in platform sales since launch suggests that Ubisoft may be struggling to maintain its $70 price tag.

In contrast, the recent launch of Helldivers 2 – another live-service title – was met with much greater fanfare. Within its first few months, Helldivers 2 reported over 12 million sales, a figure Sony was eager to tout. Skull and Bones' silence on such metrics stands in stark comparison.

Yet, there may still be hope for Skull and Bones. The game has found some success in attracting players through free trials, such as the current one running on PC until June 6th. If these trial periods demonstrate a significant spike in player engagement, Ubisoft may be compelled to take the drastic step of converting Skull and Bones to a free-to-play model.

Transitioning to a free-to-play structure could be Skull and Bones' last chance to salvage its live-service ambitions. With cheap Skull and Bones Items full-price sales likely exhausted, making the game free to access may be the best path forward to sustain a playerbase and generate revenue through in-game purchases. It's a risky move, but one Ubisoft may ultimately need to consider if Skull and Bones is to avoid a watery grave.