Sea of Thieves’ upcoming Season 17 expansion, Smugglers’ Tide, made its grand debut during the Xbox Games Showcase. The trailer introduces the Smuggler’s League, a shady faction offering high-stakes voyages involving illegal goods—guns, explosives, and rare rum—promising a fresh, adrenaline-fueled chapter for pirates across the seas.

Filmed in a darkly cinematic style, the trailer delivers a glimpse of clandestine operations and covert runs that challenge the status quo of the game’s existing factions. Players will get to carry contraband through treacherous waters, navigating smuggling missions laden with risk and reward .

The season is set to launch in August 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Steam and Microsoft Store), and PlayStation 5. Early fan reactions have been mixed—some crave deeper gameplay mechanics, while others welcome the added stealth and smuggling flavor.