Sins II: Behind the Scenes: Avast Ye Buccaneers! Pirate Concepts Ahead!

Greetings, Commanders!

Today, we’re lifting the curtain on the chaotic and deadly fleet of the pirate minor faction in Sins of a Solar Empire II. From the smallest frigates to the looming Pirate Base, every ship tells a story of rebellion, ruthlessness, and survival. In this dev diary, we’re excited to share insights into the design process for four key units: the Rogue Frigate, Corsair Cruiser, Pillager Siege Frigate, and the domineering Pirate Base. We’ll also hear from our Art Director, Craig Fraser, on the vision behind these intimidating and distinctive creations. Included with each entry is one of the initial thumbnails for the unit and the finished concept.

The Rogue Frigate

The Rogue is the workhorse of the pirate fleet. Agile and versatile, it is the first to engage in raids, often overwhelming enemies with its speed and numbers. Its design reflects this role—a heavily modified TEC frigate with sharp angles, menacing spikes, and scorched hull plating that speaks to countless battles. The Rogue’s design exudes defiance and intimidation, perfectly embodying the pirates’ anarchic spirit.

The Corsair Cruiser

When firepower alone isn’t enough, pirates turn to the Corsair. This cruiser is a heavier, more brutal cousin to the Rogue. While its TEC origins are still recognizable, the Corsair is a masterpiece of improvisation and overkill. Layers of jagged armor protect its hull, while its intimidating silhouette is accentuated by rust-colored plating and glowing green emissives that trace its jagged edges, making it as fearsome in appearance as in combat.

The Pillager Siege Frigate

Specialized for planetary assault, the Pillager is a true terror to those who dare cross the pirates. This vessel combines heavy bombardment capability with the pirates’ signature flair for chaos. Its ramshackle design includes oversized weaponry strapped haphazardly to its hull and reinforced engines to navigate defensive fire. Its rusty exterior and sickly green glow suggest decades of scavenging and improvisation, while spikes and exposed mechanics make it clear that the Pillager is as dangerous to its crew as it is to its targets.

The Pirate Base

The heart of any pirate operation, the Pirate Base is a floating fortress of anarchy. This massive station is an amalgamation of stolen TEC infrastructure, asteroids, and jury-rigged tech, cobbled together over generations. Rust, scorch marks, and scavenged hull plating cover its structure, reinforcing the image of a civilization that thrives on conflict and survival.

The Vision Behind the Chaos

To better understand the art and inspiration behind the pirate fleet, here’s a word from Craig Fraser, Art Director for Sins II:

"For the pirate faction, we designed a bold, chaotic aesthetic that exudes rebellion and terror. I imagined the ships as having a scrappy, hobbled-together look with aggressive silhouettes meant to intimidate at first sight. Operating in trader space, the pirates repurpose stolen TEC vessels, transforming them into grotesque symbols of defiance.
I envisioned their modifications to evoke both fear and pride, arming the vessels with intimidating weaponry, glowing war paint, and their signature hologram 'flags.' Spikes, studs, and reinforced armor plating completed the design, showcasing the pirates’ ruthless ingenuity and anarchic individualism while maintaining cohesion through shared stylistic elements.
We retained about 40-50% of the original TEC ship counterparts' design, but overhauled the rest, drawing inspiration from scrap metals, aged signage, and post-apocalyptic vehicles. The original game’s ghastly green emissives, combined with rust-orange and purple metals, created a harmonious color palette. I really enjoyed this part of the process because we didn’t need to worry about accommodating player-chosen color conflicts."

The concept art for these stunning designs, crafted by the talented Mike Doscher, perfectly captures the raw energy and menace of the pirate fleet. His work brings Craig’s vision to life, showcasing the chaotic brilliance of the pirates.

The Soul of the Pirates

The pirates are an anomaly in the Sins universe. Unlike the TEC, the Unity, or the Vasari, they lack structured societies, religious convictions, or imperial ambitions. They are mercenaries, scavengers, and raiders, bound only by the lure of credits and the thrill of combat. Every ship they pilot and every station they occupy is a testament to their resilience and ingenuity. Perpetually at war, their fleet is built for survival and domination, with no regard for the conventions or ethics that constrain others.

We hope this glimpse into the pirate fleet has you as excited as we are! Whether you’re negotiating with these rogues, hiring them to do your dirty work, or trying to fend off their relentless assaults, the pirates promise to bring chaos, destruction, and excitement to every game.