Sea of Thieves Insider Programme offers chance at testing early builds

Sea of Thieves developer Rare is looking for player feedback on its upcoming open-seas multiplayer pirate game. How will the studio get feedback for a game that isn't out yet, you ask? Simple: it will offer prospective players early access to the in-development title should they sign up for the just announced Sea of Thieves Insider Programme.

Now signing up for this programme doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll receive a code for the upcoming title. During the sign-up process you'll be given a detailed questionnaire asking about your gaming habits. You know: what sorts of genres you're into, how often you play, what platforms you favour, whether you're more interested in solo or team play, and what types of features you'd like to see in Sea of Thieves. That will inform Rare where to focus its energy as it shapes the mercurial online title.

"We will be looking for different kinds of people at different stages. It's not like we're just looking for one kind of gamer," said engagement manager Bobby Lamirande.

"There's no bad answer to anything," added executive producer Joe Neate. "It's just about having that variety"

In addition to possibly getting early access to Sea of Thieve, the Insider Programme also allows interested parties access to private forums where they can discuss their concerns, hopes and dreams for the game with the developer. You'll even get a nifty badge on the game's official forum (though apparently there's an issue with this not working, but Rare is looking into it).

Our Tom Phillips tried Sea of Thieves out at E3 this year and spoke to its design director Gregg Mayles about what you actually do in the game.