EA's much-anticipated revival of the Skate franchise will necessitate a constant internet connection, as outlined in an updated FAQ on the official blog from developer Full Circle. The studio gave a straightforward "No" when asked if the game could be played offline, emphasizing their vision for the game: "The game and city are designed to be a living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving. You’ll see bigger things evolve, like changes to the city over time, as well as smaller things, like live events and other in-game activities."
This "always on" requirement means that players will not be able to enjoy Skate offline, even if they choose to play solo. Full Circle reiterated that this is essential to deliver their envisioned skateboarding world, stating, "to deliver on [its] vision of a skateboarding world, the game will always require a live connection."
The developer noted that this shouldn't come as a surprise to those who participated in their playtests. In September 2024, Full Circle initiated the Always-On Playtest, a new phase designed to test the game in a "permanent live environment, with servers running around the clock."
Scheduled for an early access launch in 2025, Skate was first announced at EA Play back in 2020, with the project still in its infancy at the time. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community through closed community playtests of early builds. Last month, the studio introduced microtransactions to the game, allowing players to spend real money on a virtual currency known as San Van Bucks (SVB), which can be used to purchase cosmetic items.
Full Circle aims to refine the microtransaction system through playtesting, stating, "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 mentioned that adjustments to pricing and other elements are to be expected during this phase. Players who spend money during the playtest will receive the equivalent amount in SVB when the game resets for the Early Access launch, ensuring a positive purchasing experience from the Skate store.
