"Skate Game Demands Constant Internet Connection"

EA's highly anticipated revival of the beloved Skate franchise will require an "always on" internet connection, as confirmed in an updated FAQ on the official blog by developer Full Circle. The team provided a straightforward response: "No," explaining that the game is envisioned as a "living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox" that is continuously online and evolving. This design allows for both significant changes to the city over time and smaller, dynamic in-game events and activities.

The requirement for an "always on" connection means that players cannot enjoy the game offline, even if they prefer solo play. Full Circle emphasized that this is essential to realizing their vision of a connected skateboarding world. They noted, "That is probably not much of a surprise if you’ve been in our playtest," referencing the ongoing testing phase that began in September 2024, known as the Always-On Playtest. This phase is designed to evaluate the game in a constant live environment with servers running 24/7.

Scheduled for an early access launch in 2025, although a specific date has yet to be confirmed, Skate was first announced during EA Play in 2020. At that time, it was described as being in the "very early" stages of development. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community through closed community playtests of early builds and recently introduced microtransactions.

Players can use real-world money to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks, which can then be used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle aims to refine Skate’s microtransaction system during these playtests, ensuring a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store." The developer acknowledged the unusual nature of using real money during a playtest but stressed its importance in fine-tuning the system before the official launch. They also reassured players that any money spent during the playtest would be refunded in San Van Bucks (SVB) when the game resets for the Early Access launch, and any changes in pricing or other elements are part of the normal adjustment process.