Summary
- Console players can now participate in the playtest for skate., the eagerly awaited new addition to the Skate franchise.
- The playtest is accessible through the skate. Insider program for Xbox and PlayStation users.
- skate. is confirmed to be a free-to-play game, set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, with more gameplay features expected to be revealed.
Console enthusiasts are finally getting their hands on skate., the much-anticipated new entry in the beloved Skate franchise, through a new round of playtesting. Previously, these tests were exclusive to the PC version since mid-2022, but now Xbox and PlayStation players can experience the first Skate game in about 15 years.
The last release in the Skate series was Skate 3 back in 2010. Despite a dedicated fanbase, EA seemed to put the franchise on an indefinite hiatus, focusing instead on FPS, Battle Royale, and live-service games. However, the persistent demand from fans, highlighted by the #Skate4 hashtag, eventually led EA to announce a new dedicated development studio for the series. Last Fall, it was revealed that skate. would enter early access in 2025, and the inclusion of console testing marks a significant step toward that goal.
Announced via skate.'s official Twitter account, Xbox and PlayStation players can now join the playtest through the skate. Insider program, which requires registration. A brief video clip featuring members of the development team addressed some fan questions. While it didn't delve into specific gameplay features like the new and improved replay editor, they confirmed the addition of more Black hairstyle options and humorously mentioned the playtest initially planned for "Fall 2024."
EA has confirmed that skate. will be a free-to-play, live-service game, though details on its full scope remain somewhat vague. The game is set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, a city still in development, drawing inspiration from San Vanelona, Port Carverton, and real-world locations. A version of skate.'s map leaked online in 2023, but it may have undergone significant changes since then. Fans can either register for the playtest or wait for skate. to become more widely available.
Skate Around in the Meantime
While skate. is slated to enter early access in 2025, gamers are well aware that development timelines can shift, as is often the case in the industry. In the meantime, fans of the genre have several other games to enjoy before the full release of the new Skate title.
