Electronic Arts (EA) and Full Circle are gearing up for the early access launch of their eagerly awaited Skate reboot in 2025. However, fans might be a bit disappointed to hear that this new release won’t support offline gameplay. Instead, the developers have designed an always-online world set in the evolving city of San Vansterdam.
June 2025 will see a wave of playtest invitations, ramping up to the early access debut. This iteration of Skate seeks to redefine the series nearly a decade after Skate 3 last graced consoles in 2010. Since the game’s reveal in 2020, anticipation has steadily grown, with playtests expanding to next-gen consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
In their inaugural “The Grind” blog post, EA and Full Circle emphasize that the absence of an offline mode is intentional, aiming for a dynamic, multiplayer sandbox where the city continually shifts and changes with live events. This approach necessitates a constant online connection, similar to previous playtests.
As this new chapter unfolds, EA has clarified that the early access release will be just the beginning, with new features expected to roll out progressively. Although the inclusion of microtransactions has sparked some debate, the developers assure players that these in-game purchases, which use “San Van Bucks,” are designed to support the game’s ongoing development. Importantly, any currency spent during the playtest phase will carry over to the early access version, so players won’t lose their in-game investments.
While some long-time fans may miss the offline play options of previous Skate titles, they still have a chance to dive into the playtests and experience what’s in store. EA is set to send out more invites soon, with further details on early access coming later this year.
