Skate Game Demands 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 team provided a straightforward "simple answer: No" when asked if the game could be played offline, explaining that "The game and city are designed to be a living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving." This design choice will allow for dynamic changes to the city and the inclusion of live events and other in-game activities, enhancing the overall experience.

The requirement for a constant internet connection might not surprise those who participated in the playtests, as Full Circle noted, "That is probably not much of a surprise if you’ve been in our playtest." The team kicked off its Always-On Playtest in September 2024 to evaluate the game within a continuously running live environment.

As for the game's release, Skate is slated for an early access launch in 2025, though a specific date has yet to be announced. Initially unveiled during EA Play way back in 2020, the project was described as being in its "very early" stages. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community through closed community playtests of early builds and recently introduced microtransactions.

Players can use real money to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks (SVB), which can then be spent on cosmetic items. Full Circle aims to refine Skate’s microtransaction system during the playtest phase, emphasizing the importance of a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store." The developer acknowledged the unusual aspect of using real money in a playtest but believes it's essential for fine-tuning the system before the official launch. They also reassured players that any money spent during the playtest would be converted into SVB and credited back to them upon the reset for the Early Access launch.