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 developer succinctly stated, "The simple answer: No," explaining that the game is envisioned as a "living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox" that is perpetually online and evolving. This design choice will facilitate both large-scale changes, such as modifications to the cityscape over time, and smaller, dynamic elements like live events and other in-game activities.
The requirement for an "always on" internet connection means that Skate cannot be played offline, even for those who wish to skate solo. Full Circle emphasized that this decision aligns with their vision of a vibrant, interconnected skateboarding world, stating, "To deliver on our vision of a skateboarding world, the game will always require a live connection." They noted that this should come as no surprise to those who participated in their playtests.
In September 2024, Full Circle initiated the Always-On Playtest, a new phase designed to evaluate the game in a continuously active environment with servers running 24/7.
Looking ahead, Skate's early access is slated for 2025, though an exact date remains unconfirmed. The project was first unveiled at EA Play way back in 2020, described at the time as being in its infancy. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community through closed community playtests of early builds. Notably, last month, the team introduced microtransactions, allowing players to purchase a virtual currency known as San Van Bucks, used to acquire cosmetic items.
Full Circle is keen on ensuring a smooth integration of Skate’s microtransaction system, expressing their desire for players to have a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store." They acknowledged the unusual nature of using real money during a playtest but justified it as the best method to fine-tune the system before the official launch. They also reassured players that any expenditures made during the playtest would be refunded in San Van Bucks (SVB) upon the reset for the Early Access launch, with potential adjustments to prices and other elements being a normal part of this testing phase.
