Skateboarding games have seen a new golden age over the past few years with the arrival of titles like Devolver’s surrealist skater Skate Story and Phantom Coast Games’ roguelike shredder Helskate, and now a new installment in one of the most beloved skateboarding franchises is one step closer to a release date.
EA has announced plans to release an early access version of a new Skate game (titled simply “skate.” (in lowercase with a period)) on the game’s official X account next year. The update will also include the new game, which is currently being playtested on consoles, as well as pre-alpha footage of the franchise’s first PC release via Steam.
We’re excited to announce that Skate. will be releasing in Early Access in 2025. We’ll share more details about what you can expect in the coming months. pic.twitter.com/ZbFL3WycWu
— Skate (@skate) September 17, 2024
Fans of the long-running Skate series have been treated to a flurry of teasers and updates ever since EA announced the upcoming title four years ago. Notably, EA told fans last June that the new game would be free-to-play and a live service game with microtransactions (though it was said there would be no “play to win” element to it). In an official game development diary, the game’s publisher also revealed new details about a reworked “Flick-It” trick control system, expanded character customization for the game, and playtesting implementations with feedback from fans of the franchise.
The developers also revealed some interesting details about the game’s core narrative. The new skate game is set in the fictional city of Saint-Vinsterdam, which is ruled by a corporate overlord named M-Corp. It seems M-Corp’s evil deeds have finally caught up with them, meaning the shreddable city of Saint-Vin will once again be open to skaters. The teaser video shares an update on M-Corp’s crumbling empire and features I Think You Should Leave star and comedian Tim Robinson as corporate stooge Richard “Richie” D’Andre.
