Since Sea of Thieves (PEGI 12) was released in 2018 on Xbox One and Windows PC, the developers (Rare) have continued to create and add accessibility features during updates for the game.
In September and October of 2020, the 2.0.18 and 2.0.19 updates included features that reduced or removed the need for a second stick, making single stick play possible. The full release notes for the accessibility features included with these updates can be found here: 2.0.18 Release Notes and 2.0.19 Release Notes.
In this post, we will look at the updated accessibility options that relate to controlling the game. These, along with previously added accessibility features, can also be found compiled on our (updated) original post here: https://gameaccess.info/sea-of-thieves-accessibility-features/
2.0.18 Update:
Includes Single Stick Camera Accessibility Settings:
There are a range of settings added in the 2.0.18 update that are available to enable players to reduce or remove the need for a second analog stick. These are:
Play with a Single Analogue Stick – Choose to use either the left or right stick, rather than both. With this setting set to ‘Use left stick’ for example, pushing up and down on the left stick will move you forwards and backwards as standard, but pushing left and right will turn your character rather than strafe. This option enables character movement in-game to be carried out with just one stick.
Single Stick Camera Mode – This option is turned on by default when ‘Play with a single analogue stick’ is selected and, when used alongside it, it will allow you to look and aim in all directions when needed. By default this is done using a hold of LT, but this can be remapped. You can also choose to use a toggle of this input instead of a hold. When using this mode to look/aim, your character will need to stop moving.
Fixed Position for Interact Prompts – This setting is also turned on by default when ‘Play with a single analogue stick’ is selected. With this feature you won’t need to look down or up to see and interact with certain objects, such as to load a cannon or raise the anchor, for example. The button prompt for the interaction will appear within a central viewpoint instead.
Automatically Float in Water – This can be turned on so that when you are in water you will stay on the surface and not need to use look up or down actions to swim back up to the surface, complimenting the single stick option. When using this option, you won’t be able to swim under the surface of the water.
Auto Centre Camera – This can be used to reduce the need to recenter the camera after looking up or down, to reduce the use of a second stick or to reduce how much input is required when using a single stick. When on, it will auto centre the camera to return to the horizon after an adjustable set amount of time (3.0 secs by default). You are also able to adjust the speed at which the camera moves during this centering.
Update 2.0.19:
Includes Additional Settings to Reduce the Need to Hold Inputs:
In the 2.0.19 update, as well as ‘push to talk’ action now not needing to be held, an additional ‘Auto Move’ option was added to reduce the need to hold inputs (see accessibility features added in the 2.0.5 update):
Auto Move – This action can be mapped to an available button or trigger input on the controller. When the input is used you will move forwards until the input is pressed again or the move backwards input is momentarily used, removing the need to hold an input (up on the left stick by default).
Additional Guides to the Accessibility Settings in Sea of Thieves can be found here: Accessibility Guides
Developer Resource:
For more video examples of how developers have improved the motor accessibility of their games, please visit https://specialeffectdevkit.info/
