"Skate Game Demands Constant Internet Connection"

EA's highly anticipated revival of Skate will require players to maintain an "always on" internet connection. In an updated FAQ on their official blog, developer Full Circle provided a straightforward response: "No." They elaborated that the game is envisioned as a "living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox" that thrives on being constantly connected and evolving. This means players can expect both significant updates like changes to the cityscape and smaller, dynamic in-game events and activities.

The "always on" requirement means that even solo players cannot enjoy the game offline. Full Circle emphasized that this connectivity is crucial to fulfilling their vision of a vibrant skateboarding world.

This approach should not come as a surprise to those who participated in the playtests. In September 2024, Full Circle kicked off its Always-On Playtest, designed to assess the game in a continuously running live environment.

While Skate's early access is slated for 2025, an exact date remains unconfirmed. The project was first announced during EA Play in 2020, described as being in its early stages. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community with closed community playtests and recently introduced microtransactions.

Players can now purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks with real money, which can then be used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle aims to refine Skate’s microtransaction system during these tests, ensuring a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store."

The team acknowledged the unusual nature of using real money in a playtest but justified it as a necessary step to evaluate and fine-tune the system before the official launch. They also reassured players that any money spent during the playtest will be converted into San Van Bucks (SVB) upon the reset for the Early Access launch, with the understanding that prices and other elements might fluctuate as part of the ongoing adjustments.