Early Access Update #15: World Expansion

This is one of the biggest updates we’ve made so far.

We didn’t just add content. We expanded the world, introduced new mechanics, and improved core gameplay systems to make the game feel more consistent, readable, and skill-based.

Global Map: From Random to System

Each ship now has a clear role and purpose. You can identify it by its flag and additional icons, clearly understanding who will behave more aggressively on the map and who is simply sailing on their own business. Each nation now has separate flags for military and merchant ships:

• merchant ships transporting goods between colonies

• smugglers transporting mixed and often valuable cargo

• military ships protecting routes and attacking enemies

• pirate ships hunting merchants

• royal caravans to the Old World, carrying valuable cargo and heavily guarded. They depart once a month from each colony on a fixed date

Steam post imageInstead of random spawns, ships are now tied to:

• their nation

• their role

• their route

• and the region they operate in

This means encounters are no longer unpredictable.

By observing a ship, you can understand:

• what kind of cargo it may carry

• how dangerous it is

• whether it is worth attacking or avoiding

For example:

• caravans heading to the Old World carry the most valuable goods but are heavily protected

• merchant ships transport materials needed for colonies

• smugglers are less predictable but often profitable targets

We also improved patrol behavior. National military patrols are now visible on the global map, so you can avoid them. Previously, they were not visible on the global map, and you could accidentally run into them when switching to the local map.

This system allows you to plan your actions instead of relying on luck.

If you want to learn more about ship mechanics and the cargo system:

• Ships: Progression, Types, Characteristics and Boarding

• Full Specifications of all Ship Types

• Boarding

• Team Morale and Experience

• Formulas for Ship Economy and Combat Effectiveness

• Ship Hold Spawn System on the Global Map

Naval Skills

Steam post imageWe introduced a new category of progression: naval skills.

Unlike personal combat skills, naval skills directly affect how you perform at sea and how effectively you control your ship and fleet.

Current naval skills include:

• Navigation

• Precision

• Cannons

• Boarding

• Protection

• Trade

These skills are tightly connected to the global map and ship mechanics.

For example:

• Navigation affects handling of larger ships and reduces penalties

• Cannons and Precision improve effectiveness in naval combat

• Boarding influences success during ship capture

• Trade improves economic efficiency

This makes progression more meaningful, especially for players focused on naval gameplay.

Navigation, Collisions, and Shallow Water

Movement now requires attention.

• ships take damage when colliding with other ships or islands

• shallow water areas were added and must be avoided

• navigation skill now directly affects control of large ships

Without proper navigation, large ships become harder to handle and less effective.

Weather and Stealth

Weather now affects gameplay.

In fog and storms:

• visibility is reduced

• navigation information is hidden

• ships and islands are not visible

At the same time, you can now hide from enemies using weather conditions. You can escape danger, but you lose visibility and control.

New Island: Saint Vincent

We added a new island with a unique smuggler settlement and new environmental elements, including a waterfall.

On the island you will find:

• new chests

• mini-stories and small quests

• treasure maps

Treasure maps can now drop from enemy captains, creating new exploration opportunities. Also, we added 3 new loaders for the Saint Vincent waters and settlements.

Future Content: Dominica

We also added Dominica to the world. It is not fully accessible yet, but it is part of a larger system we are building.

Planned feature:

• building your own smuggler settlement

Updated Ship Holds

Different ship classes now have their own hold variants — from compact cutter and sloop holds to large holds for ships of the line.

Small hold: cutter, schooner, sloop

Medium hold: snow, pinnace

Large hold: brig, brigantine

Battleship hold: lineship

Each hold contains 2 chests.

Combat Feel and Camera

We improved the feel of combat.

The camera was reworked to make:

• hits feel stronger

• movement more dynamic

• combat more responsive

We also added Photo Mode (F8) with the following features:

• changing the position of the sun, weather, and the speed of time flow

• camera flight along set points with the ability to control the character or ship and send screenshots to Steam

We are especially interested in your feedback on this.

NPC and Bandit Behavior

NPC behavior was improved and optimized.

Bandits were fully reworked:

• they react to the player

• they move and coordinate

• they chase the player

They will retreat near settlements and avoid certain areas.

We also added:

• bandit masks, which will be used in future quests

The Tech-5 team significantly reworked and optimized both NPC pathfinding logic and NPC spawning systems to make Corsairs Legacy cities feel alive while maintaining stable performance across different hardware configurations, including Steam Deck and lower-end PCs. More details in the article.

In upcoming updates:

• unique items from stronger bandits

• new healing-related loot

Maps and World Information

We expanded the map system.

Added:

• updated in-game Caribbean archipelago map

• maps showing frequent bandit activity. As one example, a map of bandit attacks on Barbados:

• plant maps. As one example, a map of plants on Barbados:

Shallow water zones are now part of navigation planning.

We are also working on improving usability:

• maps will not need to be carried

• once discovered, they will remain available

Resources and Crafting

We introduced the foundation for resource gathering.

• added the ability to gather plants and craft better potions

• added an energy restoration potion

In development:

• healing over time instead of instant healing

• combining plants with potions

Blueprints and Weapon Upgrades

Workbenches for upgrading melee and firearms have been added to captain’s stash.

Blueprints have been added, allowing you to upgrade weapons yourself without paying weapon smiths for their work.

Melee weapon workbench interface:

Firearm workbench interface:

Updated weapon upgrade windows at weapon smiths:

Storytelling Through Notes

We added more than 100 notes to Barbados.

These notes:

• explain the world

• show relationships between characters

• add context to events

Some are already used in quests, and more will be integrated soon. This allows the world to tell its story through exploration.

Character Progression

Character systems continue to expand alongside new gameplay mechanics.

If you want to explore progression systems in more detail:

• Characteristics, Abilities, Skills, and Character Level

• Character Ability System

Achievements

We added new achievements tied to exploration, mechanics, and progression. Full list of achievements is available in the article.

Notes and exploration:

• Whisper of Paper — Pick up any note. Notes are currently found only on Barbados and may be hidden in unobvious places.

• Note Collector — Collect 10 notes.

• Archivist — Collect 25 notes.

• Keeper of Secret — Collect 50 notes.

Naval gameplay:

• Thanks for a Ship, Your Majesty — Capture a ship from a royal convoy heading for the Old World.

• The Royal Jackpot — Capture all ships from a royal convoy.

World mechanics:

• Misty Escape — Hide from your pursuers in a mist.

• Deceptively Shallow Depth — Your ship has struck a reef.

Crafting and resources:

• Herbalist — Harvest a plant.

• Apothecary — Make a potion from the plant you've harvested.

Trading and Economy

Trading was rebalanced.

• there are always profitable goods to buy and sell

• delivery orders refresh daily

• orders can also change when talking to another trader

We also fixed multiple issues in delivery quests reported by players.

Audio and Atmosphere

We improved environmental audio.

Added:

• wave sounds

• bird sounds

• seagull reactions

Fixed:

• missing sea sounds on some islands

These changes make the world feel more alive.

Fixes and Stability

We fixed multiple issues across the game:

• teleport issues during boarding

• AI problems in several locations

• delivery quest bugs

• improved stability of Saint Vincent loading

• adjusted squad sizes on the global map

Final Thoughts

This update is about making systems work together.

• The world is now more readable.

• The map is now part of gameplay.

• NPCs react to the player.

• Economy, combat, and exploration are more connected.

We will continue building on this foundation. As always, your feedback is important for the next updates.