EA and Full Circle’s reboot of Skate is set to enter early access in 2025, with the notable omission of an offline mode. The game will take place in the evolving city of San Vansterdam, designed as an always-online sandbox where changes will occur over time.
Players interested in getting a closer look at this environment can join the Skate Insiders program and experience parts of San Vansterdam later this year. First revealed in 2020, the excitement for the Skate reboot grew significantly as it arrives almost a decade after Skate 3, which launched in 2010.
Initial playtests began in 2022, with EA expanding access to various platforms, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Despite the anticipation, fans must continue waiting for the early access release.
According to EA’s first “The Grind” blog post, Skate will not feature an offline mode. Instead, the developers envision a “living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox” that depends on a continuous network connection, mirroring the playtest experience.
Players should expect to see dynamic changes in the city through live events and ongoing in-game activities. Skate’s early access is touted as the “Day One” phase of this live experience, with new features and enhancements planned after launch.
The game will introduce microtransactions upon release, a matter that has stirred debate among players. EA assures that spending on the in-game currency, San Van Bucks, will contribute to ongoing development while striving for a fair system.
Testing is actively underway for both PC and PlayStation formats, focusing on player feedback regarding microtransactions and overall user experience. Any San Van Bucks accumulated during the playtest will transfer to the early access version.
As June approaches, EA plans to distribute a significant number of playtest invitations, providing fans the chance to engage with the game’s features before the official launch. More information regarding early access will be shared in the upcoming months.