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

We did not just add content. We expanded the world, introduced new mechanics, and improved key game systems to make the game more cohesive, clearer, and more skill-based.

Global Map: From Randomness to a System

The global map is now part of a living economic system instead of a set of random encounters.

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

Instead of appearing randomly, ships are now tied to:

• their nation
• their role
• their route
• and the region in which they operate

This means encounters are no longer unpredictable.

By observing a ship, you can understand:

• what cargo it may be carrying
• how dangerous it is
• whether it is worth attacking or better to avoid

For example:

• caravans heading to the Old World carry the most valuable goods but are well protected
• merchant ships transport materials needed by colonies
• smugglers are less predictable but often make 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 Characteristics of All Ship Types
• Boarding
• Crew Morale and Experience
• Ship Economy and Combat Efficiency Formulas
• Ship Hold Spawn System on the Global Map

Naval Skills

We added a new progression category: naval skills.

Unlike character combat skills, naval skills directly affect efficiency at sea and the control of your ship and fleet.

Current naval skills include:

• Navigation
• Precision
• Cannons
• Boarding
• Protection
• Trade

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

For example:

• Navigation affects the control of large ships and reduces penalties
• Cannons and Precision increase effectiveness in naval combat
• Boarding affects the success of capturing ships
• Trade improves economic efficiency

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

Navigation, Collisions, and Shallows

Traveling by sea now requires attention.

• ships take damage when colliding with other ships or islands
• shallow water zones have been added and should be avoided
  
  
• the Navigation skill now directly affects the control of large ships

Without developed Navigation, large ships become harder to control 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 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, opening new exploration opportunities.

We also added 3 new loading screens for the waters of Saint Vincent and its settlements.

Future Content: Dominica

We also added the island of Dominica. 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 so that:

• hits feel stronger
• movement feels more dynamic
• combat feels 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

Your feedback on this is especially important to us.

NPC and Bandit Behavior

NPC behavior has been improved and optimized.

Bandits have been completely reworked:

• they react to the player
• they move and coordinate
• they chase the player

They will retreat near settlements and avoid certain zones.

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 future updates:

• unique items in loot from the strongest bandits
• new healing-related loot

Maps and World Information

We expanded the map system.

Added:

• an updated in-game map of the Caribbean archipelago:
  
• bandit activity maps. For example, a map of bandit attacks on Barbados:
  
• plant maps. For example, a plant map of Barbados:
  

Shallow water zones are now part of navigation planning.

We are also working on improving map usability:

• maps will no longer need to be carried with you
• once discovered, they will remain permanently available

Resources and Crafting

We laid 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:

Narrative Through Notes

We added over 100 notes on Barbados.

These notes:

• explain the world
• show relationships between characters
• add context to events

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

Character Progression

Character systems continue to develop alongside new gameplay mechanics.

If you want to study progression systems in more detail:

• Character Attributes, Abilities, Skills, and Level
• Character Ability System

Achievements

We added new achievements related to exploration, mechanics, and progression. The full list is available in the article.

Notes and exploration:

• Whisper of Paper — Pick up any note. Currently, notes are only available on Barbados and may be hidden in non-obvious places.
• Note Collector — Pick up 10 notes.
• Archivist — Pick up 25 notes.
• Keeper of Secret — Pick up 50 notes.

Naval gameplay:

• Thanks for a ship, Your Majesty — Capture a ship from a royal convoy heading to the Old World.
• The Royal Jackpot — Capture all ships from a royal convoy heading to the Old World.

World mechanics:

• Misty Escape — Hide from pursuers in the fog.
• Deceptively Shallow Depth — Your ship has hit a reef.

Crafting and resources:

• Herbalist — Gather a plant.
• Apothecary — Prepare a potion from a gathered plant.

Trade and Economy

Trade has been reworked.

• there are always profitable goods to buy and sell
• delivery orders are updated daily
• orders can also change while speaking with another merchant

We also fixed a number of delivery quest issues reported by players.

Audio and Atmosphere

We improved ambient sounds.

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 many issues in the game:

• teleportation issues during boarding
• AI errors in different locations
• bugs in delivery quests
• improved stability of Saint Vincent loading
• adjusted ship sizes on the global map

Summary

This update is aimed at making systems work together.

• The world has become clearer.
• The map has become part of the gameplay.
• NPCs react to the player.
• Economy, combat, and exploration have become more connected.

We will continue developing this foundation. As always, your feedback is important for future updates.

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