Pixel-art pirate RPG celebrates two years with biggest gameplay expansion yet featuring Captain Duel sword battles, gamepad support and more
Tønsberg, Norway – May 15th, 2026 – Solo developer Jardar Solli today launched the long-awaited Captain Battle Update for pixel-art pirate RPG Seablip. Celebrating the game’s two-year Early Access anniversary, the major update introduces a new combat system, unique weapon abilities, full gamepad support and fresh content across the open seas.
Seablip’s biggest gameplay expansion since launching on Steam Early Access in 2024, the Captain Battle Update introduces the new Captain Duel system, with a questline challenging players to defeat 10 mysterious Galleon Guard bosses. Battle rival captains using 17 unique swords, each featuring its own special attack ability, while crew members throw health, armour, spell books and other useful items to turn the tide of battle. Be careful, as enemy captains can also grab items mid-battle, creating chaotic and unpredictable showdowns!
Outside of the new questline, enemies encountered during normal ship battles can now challenge players to Captain Duels instead of traditional ship fights, with each enemy faction using their own unique tactics, abilities and ship layouts. The update also introduces new Enemy Fleet battles, tasking players with taking down multiple enemy ships back-to-back without pause, alongside full gamepad support, two new music tracks, expanded world events, additional sound effects and a range of quality-of-life improvements.
“Captain Duel is fun, chaotic, intense and changes the game completely. It is the pirate juice Seablip needed to feel diverse and alive”, said Jardar Solli, solo developer of Seablip. “With this new mechanic I can now focus on completing Seablip’s main story and add some very interesting duel and plot-lines!”
About Seablip
Seablip is a pixel-art pirate RPG set in a vibrant open world of explorable islands, naval battles and survival-driven progression inspired by classics such as Faster Than Light and Sid Meier’s Pirates!. Upgrade your ship with extra cannons and inventory space, hire a new crew to aid you in your adventures and gather resources from a range of sources – chopping trees, mining minerals and watering crops as you make use of the tools at your disposal.
Engage in a plethora of minigames and activities as you progress, building bases and making use of your trusty fishing rod. Find gold from treasure or earn it by selling your wares, or even take bounties found around the world and enhance your pirate reputation as you get paid.
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign and a well-received demo during Steam Next Fest, Seablip launched into Early Access in 2024. Solo developer Jardar Solli has been hard at work adding continual updates as the game moves toward its full release.
About Jardar Solli
Following 5 years (more than 10,000 hours) of development on Seablip, including a successful Kickstarter campaign that launched in 2020, self taught coder and solo developer Jardar Solli is edging closer to living his dream in releasing his first title. Seablip launched on Early Access in 2024.
