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

EA's highly anticipated revival of Skate will require an "always on" internet connection, as confirmed by developer Full Circle in an updated FAQ on the official blog. The team provided a straightforward response to whether the game could be played offline: "The simple answer: No." They elaborated that Skate is designed as a "living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving." This means players will witness both large-scale changes to the city over time and smaller events like live in-game activities.

The "always on" requirement implies that the game cannot be played without an internet connection, even for those who prefer solo play. Full Circle emphasized that this connectivity is essential to fulfill their vision of a dynamic skateboarding world. They noted, "That is probably not much of a surprise if you’ve been in our playtest," referring to the Always-On Playtest that began in September 2024. This phase is designed to test the game in a continuous live environment with servers running 24/7.

Skate’s early access is slated for 2025, though a specific date has yet to be announced. Initially unveiled during EA Play way back in 2020, the game was described as being in its early stages of development. Since then, Full Circle has engaged the community with closed community playtests of early builds and recently introduced microtransactions.

Players can use real-world money to purchase a virtual currency known as San Van Bucks, which can then be used to acquire cosmetic items. Full Circle aims to test Skate’s microtransaction system, emphasizing their desire for players to have a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store." They acknowledged that using real money during a playtest is unconventional but necessary to fine-tune the system before the official launch. The team reassured players that any money spent during the playtest would be converted into San Van Bucks (SVB) upon the reset for the Early Access launch, and they should expect to see price adjustments and other changes as part of the ongoing testing process.