Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Golden Tides, the world's first Adventure MOBA.
What is Golden Tides?
Golden Tides is a pirate-themed PvP adventure MOBA where two teams of four players compete in 20-25 minute matches across land and sea. The game combines traditional MOBA elements with naval combat, open-world exploration, and treasure hunting objectives.
What genre is Golden Tides?
Golden Tides is an Adventure MOBA (PvPvE). It takes familiar MOBA mechanics and combines them with ship-to-ship combat, open-world gameplay, and phased objectives rather than traditional lanes.
What platforms is Golden Tides available on?
Golden Tides is being developed for PC.
How many players are in a match?
Each match features 8 players total: two teams of 4 players each.
How long does a match last?
Matches are designed to last approximately 20-25 minutes.
What is the core gameplay loop?
Matches progress through distinct phases: teams spawn on an island, fight NPCs and opponents to locate a treasure map, sail to subsequent islands while engaging in ship combat, and ultimately battle over treasure delivery. The team that successfully delivers the final treasure wins.
How does movement work?
Golden Tides uses WASD movement controls rather than click-to-move, offering a more action-oriented feel compared to traditional MOBAs.
What are the playable characters?
Golden Tides features a growing roster of playable pirates called 'heroes,' each with unique abilities and playstyles. Heroes fall into three main categories: Damage, Tank, and Support. Examples include Captain Ashar Sharp (a shark-like brawler), Helios the Ice Oracle (a frost mage), and General Almandee-Breeze (a sea elf healer).
How does ship combat work?
Ships have multiple stations players can operate, including cannons, a magic table for ranged attacks and harpoons, a mortar, and the helm. Ship combat involves skillshot-based abilities where timing, positioning, and teamwork determine outcomes. Ships have their own abilities and defensive options like shields.
Is Golden Tides free-to-play?
Yes, Golden Tides is free-to-play.
Is there pay-to-win?
No. Golden Tides follows a strict cosmetic-only monetization policy. All purchasable content is purely visual and provides no gameplay advantages.
What can I spend money on?
Monetization options include cosmetic items like character skins, ship customizations, emotes, avatars, banners, and battle passes. All cosmetics are purely visual.
What is the Battle Pass?
The Battle Pass is a seasonal progression system with free and premium reward tracks. Players earn experience after matches to unlock cosmetic rewards. Premium pass purchases unlock additional exclusive cosmetics.
Who is developing Golden Tides?
Golden Tides is developed by Psychedelic Games, a global team with experience in MOBAs, competitive gaming, and game development.
What is the development status?
Golden Tides is currently in active development. Many systems, features, and mechanics are subject to change based on player feedback and ongoing development.
How can I play Golden Tides?
During development phases, Golden Tides uses a referral code system for access. Players need a referral code from an existing player to join.
What are the different hero roles?
Heroes are categorized into three roles: Damage (focused on dealing damage), Tank (high health, protective abilities), and Support (healing and utility). Each role has different stat scaling when leveling up during matches.
Is there a competitive/esports scene planned?
Yes, Golden Tides is designed with competitive play in mind, featuring skill-based combat and strategic depth suitable for organized tournaments and competitive play.