EA's much-anticipated revival of Skate will necessitate an "always on" internet connection, as revealed in an updated FAQ on the official blog by developer Full Circle. The straightforward response to whether the game can be played offline is a resounding "No." Full Circle explains that Skate is envisioned as a "living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox" that is continuously online and evolving. This dynamic environment will feature significant changes to the city over time, as well as smaller updates like live events and other in-game activities.
The requirement for an "always on" connection means that even solo players cannot enjoy the game offline. Full Circle emphasizes that this constant internet connectivity is essential to realize their vision of a vibrant 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 started in September 2024. This phase, known as the Always-On Playtest, evaluates the game in a perpetual live environment with servers running 24/7.
The early access launch for Skate is slated for 2025, though a precise date remains unconfirmed. The game was initially announced at EA Play way back in 2020, described then as being in the "very early" stages of development. Since that announcement, Full Circle has engaged the community through closed community playtests of early builds. Last month, they introduced microtransactions to the game, allowing players to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks (SVB) with real money, 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." They acknowledge that using real money in a playtest is unconventional but believe it's crucial for assessing and adjusting the system before the game's official launch. They added, "If you see prices or other things changing over time, please understand that this is normal. And of course, you will receive the amount you spent during playtesting in San Van Bucks (SVB) when we reset for Early Access launch."
