EA's highly anticipated Skate revival will require an "always on" internet connection, as confirmed by developer Full Circle in an updated FAQ on their official blog. The team provided a straightforward response: "The game and city are designed to be a living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving." This design philosophy allows for dynamic changes in the game, including city alterations over time, live events, and various in-game activities.
The "always on" requirement means that Skate cannot be played offline, even for solo play. Full Circle emphasized that this connectivity is essential to realize their vision of an interactive skateboarding world. They noted, "That is probably not much of a surprise if you’ve been in our playtest," referring to the Always-On Playtest that began in September 2024. This phase is designed to test the game in a continuous live environment with servers operating 24/7.
Skate’s early access is slated for 2025, though a specific date has yet to be announced. Initially revealed at EA Play way back in 2020, the game was described as being in its "very early" stages of development. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community through closed community playtests of early builds and recently introduced microtransactions.
Players can 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 refine Skate’s microtransaction system, explaining, "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 also reassured players that any adjustments to prices or other elements are part of the testing process. Additionally, players will receive the equivalent amount of San Van Bucks (SVB) they spent during the playtest when the game resets for the Early Access launch.
