Skate Game to Mandate Constant Internet Connection

EA's eagerly awaited revival of Skate will necessitate an "always on" internet connection, as confirmed in an updated FAQ on the official blog by developer Full Circle. The team 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 will allow for dynamic changes to the city and the inclusion of live events and other in-game activities.

The "always on" requirement means that even those who prefer solo play or avoiding multiplayer modes will need to stay connected. Full Circle explained that this is essential "to deliver on [its] vision of a skateboarding world," ensuring that the game remains a vibrant, interconnected experience.

This decision might not come as a surprise to those who have participated in the playtests. In fact, since September 2024, the team has been running an Always-On Playtest to assess the game in a continuous live environment, with servers operating 24/7.

While Skate's early access is slated for 2025, a specific date has yet to be announced. Initially revealed at EA Play in 2020, the game was described as being in the "very early" stages of development. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community through closed community playtests and recently introduced microtransactions.

Players can now use real-world money to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks (SVB), which can then be used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle aims to refine Skate's microtransaction system during these tests, ensuring players have a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store."

In their latest blog update, the team acknowledged that using real money in a playtest setting is unusual but necessary for effectively evaluating and fine-tuning the system before the official launch. They also reassured players that any money spent during playtesting would be refunded in SVB upon the reset for the Early Access launch, and any price adjustments seen during this period are part of the testing process.