Challenges and Benefits of Upgrading Sea of Thieves From C++14 to C++20

Explore the technical journey of upgrading a major video game from C++14 to C++20 in this conference talk from ACCU 2025. Learn about the real-world challenges and benefits experienced by Rare Ltd's development team when they decided to modernize Sea of Thieves' codebase during its transition to PlayStation 5 and the new GDK platform. Discover why the seemingly simple task of changing "14 to 20" became a complex undertaking involving significant engineering effort. Gain insights into the specific obstacles encountered during the upgrade process, including compatibility issues, code refactoring requirements, and platform-specific considerations. Understand the tangible benefits realized from adopting C++20 features and modern language standards in a large-scale game development project. Hear firsthand anecdotes from the development team about unexpected challenges and creative solutions implemented throughout the upgrade process. Learn about future plans for continuing C++ modernization efforts and best practices for managing similar upgrades in game development environments. Benefit from the perspective of Keith Stockdale, a senior software engineer with seven years of experience on Rare's Engine and Rendering teams, who specializes in GPU systems and advocates for high-quality code standards across both CPU and GPU implementations.