Everything is IP, Everywhere, All the Time

In today's entertainment landscape, intellectual property (IP) dominates. This prevalence stems from the belief that leveraging existing, recognizable content is more profitable than creating entirely original works. Sea of Thieves is no exception, regularly featuring crossovers with other franchises. These have ranged from major, thematically fitting collaborations, such as Monkey Island and Pirates of the Caribbean, to smaller, less expected ones like Halo and Banjo-Kazooie. The latest crossover falls into the latter category, this time featuring the sci-fi, first-person shooter Destiny.

Destiny Crossover: What’s Included?

As with previous smaller collaborations, the Destiny crossover focuses exclusively on cosmetics inspired by the game. These include a ship set, crest, costume, and weapons. However, there is no accompanying story content or additional gameplay features. Among the offerings, one standout is the crest, which humorously features a Ghost from Destiny dangling off the front of the ship like a Christmas ornament—a touch that some players may find charming.

Developer Justifications

Rare’s Director of Brand and Licensing, Adam Park, addressed the seemingly unusual choice for this crossover in a post on the Xbox Wire blog. He explained that while it "might not seem like an obvious choice," the co-operative nature of Destiny and its class-based structure presented a "crew-like bond" that aligns well with Sea of Thieves’ core themes. Park’s explanation, however, may not resonate with all fans, given the stark differences between the two games. Still, collaborations like this often serve as a way to generate revenue, which could explain the decision.

Cost and Availability

For those interested, the Destiny crossover content is already available in the game. However, acquiring the full Big Bundle, which includes all crossover items, comes at a steep price of 4999 Ancient Coins, equivalent to approximately $50 in real-world currency. This pricing is a hallmark of the live-service model, where additional content often comes at a premium.