EA's long-awaited revival of Skate will mandate a persistent, always-on internet connection to play.
In a revised FAQ on its official blog, developer Full Circle offered a straightforward answer: "No." The studio explained, "The game and its city are crafted as a living, massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is perpetually online and evolving. You'll witness large-scale developments, such as city transformations over time, alongside smaller-scale live events and various in-game activities."
An "always-on" requirement prevents offline play entirely, even for solo sessions outside of multiplayer modes. For Skate, Full Circle emphasizes that this constant connection is essential "to realize our vision of a dynamic skateboarding world; the game will always need a live internet link."
"This likely isn't a shock if you've participated in our playtests," the developer noted.
This aligns with the studio's September 2024 launch of its Always-On Playtest. This new phase "evaluates the game within a permanent live setting, with servers operational 24/7."
Skate is scheduled for an early access launch in 2025, though a specific date remains unconfirmed. Initially announced at EA Play back in 2020, the project was then described as in "very early" development. Since that reveal, Full Circle has maintained community engagement through closed playtests of early builds and, last month, introduced microtransactions.
Players can use real currency to purchase a virtual currency named San Van Bucks, which is then spent on cosmetic items. Full Circle appears focused on testing this microtransaction system, stating it aims to ensure a "positive purchasing experience in the Skate store."
"We understand using real money during a playtest is unconventional, but we believe it's the optimal method to thoroughly evaluate and refine the system before launch," the team clarified in the latest blog update. "If you notice prices or other elements shifting over time, please know this is part of the process. Naturally, any amount spent during playtesting will be returned to you as San Van Bucks (SVB) when we reset for the Early Access launch."
