Skate Playtesting Now Includes Console Players

Summary

• Console players can now playtest skate., a highly anticipated new entry in the Skate franchise.
• The playtest is available through the skate. Insider program for Xbox and PlayStation players.
• skate. is confirmed to be free-to-play, set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, with more gameplay features to come.

Console players are finally getting the chance to dive into skate., the eagerly awaited new addition to the beloved Skate franchise, through a new round of playtesting. While these tests have been ongoing for skate. since mid-2022, they were initially limited to the PC version. Now, Xbox and PlayStation players can experience the first Skate game in about 15 years.

The last release in the Skate series was Skate 3 back in 2010. Despite a dedicated fanbase, the franchise seemed to be indefinitely shelved by EA in favor of more FPS, Battle Royale, and live-service titles. However, the persistent support from fans, highlighted by the #Skate4 hashtag, eventually led EA to announce a dedicated development studio for a new game in the series. Last Fall, it was revealed that skate. would enter early access in 2025, and the inclusion of console testing marks a significant step towards that goal.

Announced via skate.'s official Twitter account, Xbox and PlayStation console players can now participate in the playtest through the skate. Insider program, which requires registration. In a brief video clip, members of the development team addressed fan questions, confirming the addition of more Black hairstyle options and playfully referencing the playtest's initial announcement for "Fall 2024."

EA has confirmed that skate. will be a free-to-play, live-service game, though specific gameplay details remain somewhat elusive. The game is set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, a city still under construction that draws inspiration from San Vanelona and Port Carverton, as well as real-world locations. A version of skate.'s map leaked online in 2023, but it may have evolved significantly since then. Fans can either register for the playtest or wait for skate. to become more widely accessible.

Skate Around in the Meantime

While skate. is slated to enter early access in 2025, gamers are well aware that development timelines can shift, as is common in the industry. In the meantime, fans of the genre have several other games to enjoy before the full release of the new Skate title.