EA's eagerly awaited revival of Skate will necessitate an "always on" internet connection, a detail that was recently confirmed in an updated FAQ on the official blog by developer Full Circle. They provided a straightforward response to the question of offline play: "No." Full Circle elaborated, stating, "The game and city are designed to be a living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving." This design allows for dynamic changes to the cityscape over time, as well as hosting live events and other in-game activities, enhancing the immersive experience of the game.
The requirement for an "always on" internet connection means that Skate cannot be played offline, even for those who wish to enjoy solo gameplay. Full Circle emphasized that this choice aligns with their vision of creating a connected skateboarding world, which necessitates a continuous live connection to deliver the intended experience.
This news may not come as a shock to those who have participated in the game's playtests. Full Circle noted, "That is probably not much of a surprise if you’ve been in our playtest," referencing the Always-On Playtest that began in September 2024. This phase of testing evaluates the game in a continuously live environment, with servers running 24/7.
Looking ahead, Skate is slated for an early access launch in 2025, although a specific date has yet to be announced. Since its initial reveal at EA Play way back in 2020, the game has been described as "very early" in development. Full Circle has kept the community engaged through closed community playtests of early builds and, more recently, introduced microtransactions into the game.
Players can now use real-world money to purchase a virtual currency known as San Van Bucks, which can then be used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle aims to test Skate's microtransaction system, ensuring players have a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store." They acknowledged that spending real money during a playtest is unconventional but essential for fine-tuning the system before the official launch. "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 stated. They also reassured players that any money spent during the playtest will be returned in San Van Bucks (SVB) when the game resets for its Early Access launch, with the understanding that prices and other elements may fluctuate as part of the testing process.
