Summary
- Console players can now participate in the playtest for skate., the highly anticipated new installment in the Skate series.
- The playtest is accessible to Xbox and PlayStation users through the skate. Insider program.
- skate. will be free-to-play, set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, with additional gameplay features to be revealed.
Console gamers finally have the opportunity to experience skate., the eagerly awaited new chapter in the beloved Skate series, through a fresh round of playtesting. Although these tests have been running since mid-2022, they were previously exclusive to the PC version. Now, Xbox and PlayStation users can get their first taste of a Skate game in nearly 15 years.
The most recent entry in the franchise, Skate 3, launched in 2010. Despite a dedicated fan community, EA appeared to shelve the series indefinitely to focus on first-person shooters, battle royale games, and live-service titles. Nevertheless, demand for a new Skate game persisted over the years, with the #Skate4 movement gaining such traction that EA eventually acknowledged it by establishing a dedicated studio to develop a new installment. Last fall, it was confirmed that skate. would enter early access in 2025, and console testing is a promising step toward meeting that timeline.
According to an announcement on skate.'s official Twitter account, Xbox and PlayStation players can now join the playtest by registering for the developer's skate. Insider program. A brief video featured members of the development team responding to fan questions. While the clip didn't delve into specific gameplay mechanics like the enhanced replay editor, it did confirm more Black hairstyle options and humorously addressed the playtest's original "Fall 2024" announcement.
EA has announced that skate. will be a free-to-play live-service game, though specific details about the experience remain limited. What we know is that the skateboarding simulation is set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, a work-in-progress metropolis inspired by San Vanelona, Port Carverton, and real-world locations. A version of the game's map surfaced online in 2023, but it has likely evolved significantly since then. Fans can either sign up for the playtest or wait for skate. to become more widely available.
Skate Around in the Meantime
Although early access is scheduled for 2025, gamers are well aware that development timelines can shift, as delays have become frequent in the industry. In the interim, skating enthusiasts have several other titles to enjoy before the new Skate game fully releases.
