Yes, sailing is a proposed skill on OSRS, which becomes a new skill on the gaming platform. However, it is likely to be introduced in 2024 if everything goes according to plan. If the plan passes the stringent green light poll, it will become the first skill to reach the OSRS servers since 2013.
This skill is currently undergoing refinement, which means that a team is already working on it. The process is expected to be complete by early August, after which the green-light pool will take place. During refinement, a team determines the particulars of the skill and breaks up the process into stages. After each stage in the refinement process, the team posts a design blog on the official website detailing what has been done.
At the end of August, the team will provide a full summary of the skill. This will give a full picture of what the skill will look like. The same information will enable the community to vote on whether they want the skill in the game or not.
How Will the Sailing Skill Look?
With your sailing skills, you will be able to navigate the seas of Gielinor. This will be in the main game called The Overworld. It will mean that nothing will be instant. Besides, you will be seeing other player vessels as they roam around the sea. This adds a layer of fun as you add water to your exploration.
To start the sailing, you need to take the avatars to the nearest port. There are several ports all over Gielinor. Harbours such as Port Sarim will become new hubs. However, when the skill becomes apparent, new ports will crop up. There will also be vessels across the ports, ranging in size from colossal to smaller ones.
Sailing Mechanics, Navigation and Sea Expansion
Ports will be the primary points for employing the skill. Here, you will be able to build and customise ships, disembark, perform repairs and hire crew for the ship. You will need to reach the nearest ship so that you can disembark, not anywhere else in the virtual world.
There are several islands in the game. Major islands will have a huge port where players can do all these tasks with ease. However, there are also smaller islands where there will be a mooring port. Here, you will only be able to dock and explore the dry land. Otherwise, you will not be able to build and customise a ship in such ports.
Quests and Fossil Islands
You will only be able to dock on quest ports if you have unlocked the quest feature behind your mission. The game will require you to complete the respective quest before you dock on any of these islands. If you try to sail to such an island, the locals there will stop you from docking and disembarking from the ship. Such places may include Mos Le Harmless and Lunar Isle.
Fossil islands will work similarly to quest ones. However, they will require you to have completed specific quests for them to be unlocked. Like the quest ones, if you try to gain entry before completing the underlying quest, the locals will prevent you from docking on land.
How about Mystery Locations?
There is also another issue regarding places that are not supposed to be known until the player reaches a given point in the game. If you have not reached the said point, the location will be shrouded in fog, and you will not be able to dock there. However, after reaching the set point in the game, you will be able to unlock the island and explore it. Remember, you may be attacked for trying to dock on these mysterious islands before completing the required levels.
How Will Navigation Look Like?
After you board the ship, you wish to use it for gaming, click the wheel icon so that you enter navigation mode. You will have the option to walk around the ship and examine the ship’s wheel. When in navigation mode, the camera will focus on the ship and not the character. So, all your left clicks will cause the ship to move forwards, not your avatar.
Sailing will be a fun skill on OSRS. It will make the seas a part of the game, which has not been the case so far. It also adds new features, ports and requirements to the game, all of which enhance the interactions with the features in the game. Let’s wait for the skill!
If you wish to exit the navigation mode, you will simply click the wheel icon. This will cause the camera to focus on your character and allow you to interact with your environment as you would on land. You can always walk around the ship while it is moving. However, you will need to re-enable the navigation mode to control the ship.
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