EA's much-anticipated revival of Skate will necessitate a constant internet connection. In an updated FAQ section on their official blog, developer Full Circle provided a straightforward response: "No." They elaborated, stating, "The game and city are designed to be a living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving. You’ll witness significant changes to the city over time, as well as smaller updates, including live events and other in-game activities."
An "always on" requirement means that Skate cannot be played offline, even if you prefer solo play or avoid multiplayer modes. Full Circle emphasized their vision, noting, "To deliver on our vision of a skateboarding world, the game will always require a live connection." They acknowledged that this might not surprise participants of their playtests, especially since the team started the Always-On Playtest in September 2024. This phase aims to test the game in a continuously live environment, with servers running 24/7.
The early access launch of Skate is slated for 2025, though a specific date remains unconfirmed. The project was first announced at EA Play in 2020, described as being in its very early stages. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community through closed community playtests and recently introduced microtransactions.
Players can use real-world money to purchase a virtual currency named San Van Bucks (SVB), which is then used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle is keen on ensuring a smooth experience with these transactions, stating, "We know that using real money during a playtest is a little unusual, but we think it’s the best way to properly assess and adjust the system before launch." They also reassured players that any money spent during the playtest will be converted into SVB and credited back upon the reset for the Early Access launch. The team added, "If you see prices or other things changing over time, please understand that this is normal."
