"Skate Game Demands Constant Internet Connection"

EA's eagerly awaited revival of Skate will necessitate a continuous internet connection, as confirmed by developer Full Circle in an updated FAQ on their official blog. The team provided a straightforward response: "No," emphasizing that the game is envisioned as a "living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving." This design choice aims to facilitate dynamic changes within the game's city and enable live events and other in-game activities.

The "always on" requirement means that Skate cannot be played offline, even for those who prefer solitary gameplay. Full Circle is committed to this approach to fulfill their vision of a connected skateboarding world, stating, "to deliver on [its] vision of a skateboarding world, the game will always require a live connection." They noted that this should not come as a surprise to those who participated in the playtests, as the team launched an Always-On Playtest in September 2024 to assess the game in a constant live environment.

Looking ahead, Skate is scheduled for an early access launch in 2025, though a specific date has yet to be announced. Since its reveal at EA Play back in 2020, Full Circle has actively engaged with the community through closed community playtests of early builds. Last month, they introduced microtransactions, allowing players to purchase a virtual currency known as San Van Bucks (SVB) for cosmetic items.

Full Circle aims to ensure a smooth experience with the in-game store, acknowledging that using real money in a playtest setting is unconventional but necessary to fine-tune the system before the official launch. They reassured players that any adjustments to prices or other elements during the playtest are part of the process. Furthermore, participants will receive the equivalent amount of SVB they spent during the playtest when the game transitions to early access.