Skate to Mandate Constant Internet Connection

EA's highly anticipated revival of Skate will necessitate an "always on" internet connection, as confirmed in an updated FAQ on the official blog by developer Full Circle. The developer succinctly answered the question with a "simple answer: No," elaborating that "The game and city are designed to be a living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving." This means players can expect both significant changes to the city over time and smaller, dynamic in-game activities and live events.

The "always on" requirement implies that the game cannot be played offline, even for those who prefer single-player modes. Full Circle emphasized that this constant connectivity is essential "to deliver on [its] vision of a skateboarding world." The developer noted that this should not come as a surprise to those who participated in their playtests, referencing the Always-On Playtest that began in September 2024, designed to test the game in a continuously live environment with servers running 24/7.

Skate’s early access is slated for 2025, though a specific date remains unconfirmed. Initially announced during EA Play in 2020 as being in the "very early" stages of development, Full Circle has since engaged the community through closed community playtests and, more recently, introduced microtransactions. Players can use real-world currency to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks (SVB), which can then be used to acquire cosmetic items. This move is part of Full Circle's strategy to refine the microtransaction system ahead of the game's launch, ensuring a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store."

In an effort to fine-tune this system, Full Circle acknowledged that using real money during a playtest is unconventional but necessary for accurately assessing and adjusting the system before the full release. They also assured players that any SVB spent during playtesting will be credited back upon the reset for the Early Access launch, and that fluctuations in prices and other elements are part of the testing process.