EA’s highly anticipated revival of Skate will require a constant internet connection. In an updated FAQ on their official blog, developer Full Circle confirmed this by stating: “The game and city are designed to be a living, breathing, massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and ever-evolving. Expect big changes like modifications to the city over time, along with smaller elements such as live events and in-game activities.”
An “always on” requirement means the game cannot be played offline, even if you opt out of multiplayer modes or prefer solo play. For Full Circle, maintaining an active internet connection is essential to realizing their vision of a dynamic skateboarding universe. As they noted, “To deliver on this vision, the game will always require a live connection.”
This shouldn’t come as a shock to the community, especially after the Always-On Playtest launched in September 2024. This phase allowed players to experience the game in a permanent live environment, with servers operating around the clock.
Although Skate’s early access launch is slated for 2025, no specific date has been confirmed yet. The game was initially announced during EA Play back in 2020 but was described at the time as being very early in development. Since then, Full Circle has kept the community engaged through closed community playtests of early builds and, most recently, the introduction of microtransactions.
Players can use real-world money to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks, which is used to buy cosmetic items. According to Full Circle, they aim to evaluate and refine the microtransaction system before the official launch. They acknowledged that spending real money during a playtest might seem unusual but emphasized that it’s necessary for proper assessment and adjustment. Players should expect prices and features to change over time, noting this is part of the testing process. Additionally, any San Van Bucks purchased during the playtest will be refunded at the Early Access launch.
