"Skate Game Demands Constant Internet Connection"

EA's highly anticipated revival of the Skate franchise will necessitate an "always on" internet connection, as confirmed by developer Full Circle in an updated FAQ on the official blog. The developer provided a straightforward response to whether the game could be played offline: "The simple answer: No." They elaborated 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 to see both major changes, such as city modifications over time, and smaller, dynamic elements like live events and other in-game activities.

An "always on" internet connection is a requirement that prevents the game from being played offline, impacting those who might prefer solo play. Full Circle emphasized their commitment to this model, stating, "To deliver on our vision of a skateboarding world, the game will always require a live connection." They noted that this should come as no surprise to those who have participated in their playtests.

Skate’s early access launch is slated for 2025, though an exact date has yet to be announced. Initially revealed during EA Play way back in 2020, the game was described as being in its "very early" stages of development. Since then, Full Circle has maintained engagement with the community through closed community playtests of early builds and, most recently, introduced microtransactions.

Players can use real-world currency to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks, which can then be used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle aims to refine Skate’s microtransaction system during playtests, as they stated their desire for players to have a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store." They acknowledged the unusual nature of using real money in a playtest but justified it as a necessary step to "properly assess and adjust the system before launch." They also assured players that any money spent during playtesting would be converted to San Van Bucks (SVB) upon the reset for the Early Access launch, with potential price changes being part of the ongoing adjustments.