YOU’RE ALWAYS ONLINE: Skate’s Shocking Offline Mode Bombshell

Developers Full Circle, under the guidance of publisher Electronic Arts, are currently in the playtesting phase for the eagerly awaited reboot of the classic skateboarding game series, Skate. This is a thrilling moment for fans of the franchise, but there have been a few contentious issues surrounding the upcoming game that have sparked debate among players. These include the inclusion of microtransactions during the playtesting phase and the live-service design model. In particular, many gamers are hoping for an offline mode in the live-service free-to-play structure of the game.

EA and Full Circle recently unveiled The Grind, a direct communication channel between the publishers/developers and the Skate gaming community. This platform facilitates announcements, Q&As, and discussions about the game’s development in a straightforward and transparent way. In this initial release, they disclosed information about the ongoing playtesting of the game, along with addressing some frequently asked questions from the community. Notably, they confirmed that Skate will not include an offline mode.

To put it simply: No, the game isn’t something you can play offline. It’s a dynamic, interactive skateboarding environment that’s constantly updating and expanding, both with major changes like alterations to the city over time, as well as smaller adjustments such as live events and activities within the game. Given our goal of creating an ever-evolving skateboarding universe, the game will always need a live connection. If you’ve been part of our playtest, this shouldn’t come as a shock.

Recently, Full Circle shared a video titled “Skate Insider Playtest Highlights,” showcasing the game’s early stages and current playtest version. However, this video sparked numerous comments asking for an offline mode. Fans are worried about the game’s live-service approach, as many similar games have disappeared not long after their release. Games such as “Concord,” “XDefiant,” and “Multiversus” serve as examples of why players are concerned about Skate adopting a live-service model.

In the initial issue of The Grind, Full Circle and EA made an additional announcement which could cause unease among Skate enthusiasts. During a Q&A video from December 2024 featuring Cuz Parry and Deran Chung from Full Circle, Chung hinted that early access was “nearly here.” Although no specific date or timeframe was provided, the statement suggests that an early release was imminent. However, four months later, it remains in its testing phase.

2025 is when the companies have announced that the early access for Skate will be available, though it’s important to note that it won’t likely be imminent. The statement indicates that Skate will debut “later this year,” with a significant number of playtest invitations being distributed in June. This suggests that the early access release of Skate might not occur until after these invitations have been sent out.

If you’re a gamer eager to join the Skate Insider Playtest, you can sign up right away! This opportunity is open on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms.

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2025-04-25 00:39