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Sea of Thieves is expected to take up substantially less storage after a planned package optimization: reporting puts the target reduction at at least 50% for 4K installations on PC and Xbox Series X. The change has not been reported as live, and Rare has not announced final post-update sizes or a public rollout date.
How much smaller is Sea of Thieves expected to be?
The reported target depends on the installation type. Neowin’s October 1, 2026 report says Rare is aiming for at least a 50% reduction for 4K installations on PC and Xbox Series X. For non-4K installations and PlayStation 5, the reported target is around 30%. These are targets reported ahead of release, not confirmed final sizes.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Sea of Thieves: Standard Edition – Xbox One | $38.87 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Sea of Thieves Xbox One (Renewed) | $30.14 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Sea of Thieves: Standard Edition – Xbox One [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41RiuntPiNL._SL160_.jpg)
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Sea of Thieves: Standard Edition – Xbox One [Digital Code] | $35.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Sea of Thieves - Xbox One/PC - Full Game - Key Card | $57.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Sea of Thieves Xbox One | $76.41 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Installation type | Reported reduction target | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 4K on PC | At least 50% | Planned; final size not announced |
| 4K on Xbox Series X | At least 50% | Planned; final size not announced |
| Non-4K installations | Around 30% | Reported target; platform-specific final sizes not announced |
| PlayStation 5 | Around 30% | Reported target; final size not announced |
| Other Xbox versions | Not stated in the reporting | Final size and target not stated |
The percentage describes the reported reduction target, not a promised number of gigabytes saved. Without final installed sizes—and a clear baseline for each platform—it is not possible to calculate the resulting footprint reliably.
Will existing players have to download Sea of Thieves again?
Yes. TrueAchievements’ October 2, 2026 report says existing players should expect to download the full game again when the optimized package arrives. That is different from installing a small patch over the current files, so players should be prepared for a substantial transfer. The final download size has not been stated.
#1 Best Overall
- A shared-world adventure game by acclaimed UK developer Rare Ltd. Xbox Live Gold required to play (sold separately)
- Live the essential pirate life in a world rich with Rare’s irreverent charm. Sail and fight together, hunt treasure and create your own legends
- A fantastical world of unspoiled islands, mythical monsters and mouth-watering loot. Total freedom to decide how you approach the world and its players
- Xbox One Console exclusive
- Battery: no battery used;Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Crude humor, use of alcohol, violence
The reporting says the optimized packages are expected to be tested through the Sea of Thieves Insider program before reaching the wider player base. It does not give a public rollout date.
Why old download figures do not tell you the new game size
A release-note download figure describes a particular update package; it is not necessarily the full installed footprint of the game. Sea of Thieves’ official version 2.10.1 notes listed downloads of 88.36 GB for Xbox Series X, 102 GB for Microsoft Store PC, and 10.49 GB for Steam. Those are version-specific historical download figures, not current installation requirements or estimates of the optimized game’s size. Sea of Thieves version 2.10.1 release notes
Rank #2
- A shared-world adventure game by acclaimed UK developer Rare Ltd. Xbox Live Gold required to play (sold separately)
- Live the essential pirate life in a world rich with Rare's irreverent charm. Sail and fight together, hunt treasure and create your own legends!
- A fantastical world of unspoiled islands, mythical monsters and mouth-watering loot
- Total freedom to decide how you approach the world and its players
- Available on the Xbox One family of devices and Windows 10 PCs. Supports Xbox Play Anywhere and cross-platform play** (**Play on one device at a time. PC hardware requirements may vary for games on Windows 10).The Hungering Deep, the first major Sea of Thieves content update landing May 2018, brings with it an exciting new threat to the Sea of Thieves world. Work together with other crews on a completely new adventure with gameplay enhancements and unique rewards.The May kick-off of the Sea of Thieves weekly events programme also introduces fun new ways to play with weekly events and rewards.
TrueAchievements’ October 2, 2026 report gives current installed-size estimates of 116 GB on Xbox Series X and 130 GB on PC. These are that outlet’s estimates, not official platform requirements from Rare, and they should not be treated as confirmed post-update sizes.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- A shared-world adventure game by acclaimed UK developer Rare Ltd. Xbox Live Gold required to play (sold separately)
- Live the essential pirate life in a world rich with Rare's irreverent charm. Sail and fight together, hunt treasure and create your own legends!
- A fantastical world of unspoiled islands, mythical monsters and mouth-watering loot
- Total freedom to decide how you approach the world and its players
- Available on the Xbox One family of devices and Windows 10 PCs. Supports Xbox Play Anywhere and cross-platform play** (**Play on one device at a time. PC hardware requirements may vary for games on Windows 10).The Hungering Deep, the first major Sea of Thieves content update landing May 2018, brings with it an exciting new threat to the Sea of Thieves world. Work together with other crews on a completely new adventure with gameplay enhancements and unique rewards.The May kick-off of the Sea of Thieves weekly events programme also introduces fun new ways to play with weekly events and rewards.
Rank #3
- Sea of Thieves offers the essential pirate experience, from sailing and fighting to exploring and looting – everything you need to live the pirate life and become a legend in your own right.
- Whether you’re voyaging as a group or sailing solo, you’re bound to encounter other crews in this shared-world adventure – but will they be friends or foes, and how will you respond?
What is confirmed, and what remains unknown?
- Reported plan: at least 50% smaller 4K installations on PC and Xbox Series X, with around 30% savings targeted for non-4K installations and PS5, according to Neowin’s October 1, 2026 report.
- Expected transition: existing players are expected to download the full game again, according to TrueAchievements’ October 2, 2026 report.
- Still unspecified: final installed sizes by platform, the size of the required redownload, and the public release date.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
