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. They provided a straightforward "No" when asked if the game could be played offline, emphasizing 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 allows for dynamic changes to the city and the inclusion of live events and other in-game activities.
The requirement for a constant internet connection, even for solo play, aligns with Full Circle's vision of creating an interconnected skateboarding world. They noted that this might not come as a surprise to those who participated in their playtests, referencing the Always-On Playtest that began in September 2024, which aimed to test the game in a continuously live environment.
Looking ahead, Skate is slated for an early access launch in 2025, though a specific date has yet to be announced. Initially revealed during EA Play in 2020, the game was described as being in its early stages of development. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community with closed community playtests of early builds and recently introduced microtransactions.
Players can use real-world money to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks, which can then be used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle aims to refine the microtransaction system during these playtests, ensuring a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store." They acknowledged that using real money in a playtest setting is unusual but necessary to properly assess and adjust the system before the official launch. Any purchases made during the playtest will be converted to San Van Bucks (SVB) upon the reset for the Early Access launch, ensuring that players' investments are preserved.
