Skateboarding games have enjoyed a golden age in recent years, with the likes of Devolver’s surreal skater Skate Story and Phantom Coast Games’ roguish shredder Helskate. And now a new entry in one of the most popular skateboarding series is one step closer to release.
EA has announced plans for an early access release of a new skate game – simply called Skate. (lowercase with a period) – next year on the game’s official X account. The update also includes some pre-alpha footage of the new game, which is currently being tested for consoles and the franchise’s first PC release on Steam.
We are very excited to announce that skate. will be entering Early Access in 2025. We will be sharing more details on what to expect in the coming months. pic.twitter.com/ZbFL3WycWu
Skate. (@skate) 17 September 2024
Fans of the long-running Skate series have been treated to a barrage of teasers and updates since the new title was first announced by EA four years ago. In particular, EA told fans last June that the new title would be a free-to-play live service game with microtransactions (but reportedly no play-to-win elements). In its official development diary, the game’s publisher also revealed new details about how it is reworking the ‘flick-it’ trick control system, expanding character customisation options and running playtests with feedback from fans of the franchise.
The developers also revealed some interesting details about the game’s core storyline. The new game, Skate, is set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, which has been taken over by a corporate overlord known as M-Corp. It seems that M-Corp’s misdeeds are finally catching up with the company, and the dismantled city of San Van is once again open to skaters. A teaser video starring the star of ‘I Think You Should Leave’ and comedian Tim Robinson as corporate lackey Richard ‘Richie’ Dandle gave an update on M-Corp’s crumbling empire.
