EA's eagerly awaited revival of Skate will necessitate a constant internet connection, as confirmed by developer Full Circle in an updated FAQ on their official blog. The developer succinctly answered "No" to the possibility of offline play, explaining that Skate is designed as a "living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving." This design choice allows for dynamic changes to the city and the inclusion of live events and other in-game activities, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
An "always on" requirement means that even players who prefer solo sessions cannot play offline. Full Circle emphasized that this constant connectivity is essential to fulfill their vision of a vibrant skateboarding world. They noted that this should not come as a surprise to those who have participated in their playtests, particularly since the Always-On Playtest began in September 2024, aimed at testing the game in a continuously live environment with servers running non-stop.
Looking ahead, Skate’s early access is slated for 2025, though an exact date remains unconfirmed. The game was first announced at EA Play way back in 2020, when it was described as being in the "very early" stages of development. Since then, Full Circle has actively engaged the community with closed community playtests of early builds and, more recently, introduced microtransactions.
Players can now use real-world money to purchase a virtual currency known as San Van Bucks, which can be used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle is keen to test Skate’s microtransaction system, aiming to ensure a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store." They acknowledge that using real money in a playtest is unconventional but believe it's crucial for fine-tuning the system before the game's launch. They reassured players that any money spent during the playtest will be converted into San Van Bucks (SVB) upon the reset for the Early Access launch, and that fluctuations in prices are part of the testing process.
