Yes, Skate Will Require An 'Always On' Internet Connection

EA's eagerly awaited revival of Skate will necessitate an "always on" internet connection, as confirmed by developer Full Circle in an updated FAQ on their official blog. They provided a straightforward response: "No," explaining that the game and its city are crafted to be a dynamic, ever-evolving massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox. This means players will witness both large-scale changes to the city over time and smaller, dynamic events and activities within the game. This constant connectivity is crucial to realizing Full Circle's vision of a vibrant skateboarding world.

The "always on" requirement implies that the game cannot be played offline, even for those who prefer solo play. This shouldn't come as a surprise to those who participated in the playtests, as Full Circle noted, "That is probably not much of a surprise if you’ve been in our playtest."

The team initiated their Always-On Playtest in September 2024, aiming to test the game in a continuously live environment with servers operating 24/7. Skate's early access is slated for 2025, although a specific date has yet to be confirmed. Initially announced at EA Play way back in 2020, the game was described as being in its "very early" stages of development. Since then, Full Circle has kept the community engaged with closed community playtests of early builds and recently introduced microtransactions.

Players can now use real-world currency to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks, which can then be used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle aims to refine Skate’s microtransaction system, stating their desire for players to have a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store." They acknowledge that using real money in a playtest is unconventional but believe it's essential for properly evaluating and fine-tuning the system before the game's launch. They also reassured players that any money spent during the playtest will be converted into San Van Bucks (SVB) upon the reset for the Early Access launch, with potential price adjustments being part of the testing process.