The summer gaming showcases have been great for moments that have nothing to do with the games themselves – with everything from great songs to interpretative dance taking center-stage. Ubisoft’s Forward performance this summer was no exception, as the developers and publishers of the most anticipated games of 2023 took to the stage to show us the trailer and gameplay footage we’ve been waiting for.
One of the most fun and energetic songs to come out of these showcases was an Ubisoft-performed sea shanty, celebrating the fact that pirate game Skull and Bones has actually been in development for ten years now. Given that Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag featured a bunch of fun sea shanties, and the fact that they’re also super popular on TikTok right now, it’s a little strange that everyone’s only recently decided that their video game adventures might benefit from some catchy songs.
The song from Ubisoft Forward – which was then also performed live, for an even bigger audience – was great, and well-performed. It was a fun reminder of Black Flag’s most popular charm, and of the original idea that Skull and Bones was actually going to be an expansion for that game, before growing into its own game in time for the 10-year anniversary of Assassin’s Creed. That’s a lot of history for one game, which might explain why it hasn’t quite made an impression yet while it’s still in its beta phase.
Ubisoft struck gold with the musical performances of games like Just Cause 4 and Hell Rising 2: Rebellion (which, incidentally, featured a sort of stomp-clap song) during this showcase, but the performance of the sea shanty was still hands-down the best moment from any of the summer gaming showcases. The song is fun, simple, and catchy – what more could you want from something that accompanies one of the upcoming games that we’re most looking forward to?
Check out the video at the top of the article to see the shanty from Ubisoft Forward (which, naturally, was also performed live at the event). Who doesn’t enjoy a good sea shanty?