The highly anticipated new installment in the Skate franchise, officially titled "skate.", is gearing up for an early access release in the summer of 2025. Developed by Full Circle, a studio comprised of veteran developers from the original series, the title is poised to redefine the skateboarding genre as a free-to-play, always-online, live-service experience.
Set in the sprawling new metropolis of San Vansterdam, "skate." is being built with a strong emphasis on community and player-driven content. The game will be available on a wide range of platforms, including PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, with full cross-play and cross-progression confirmed.
A significant departure from its predecessors, "skate." will require a constant internet connection. The developers at Full Circle have explained this decision as integral to their vision of a dynamic and evolving world, with plans to introduce new gameplay areas and content for all players for free over time. While the game will feature microtransactions for cosmetic items, the studio has firmly stated there will be no loot boxes or pay-to-win mechanics.
At the core of the gameplay is the beloved "Flick-It" control system, which has been a hallmark of the series. However, "skate." will introduce a host of new traversal mechanics, such as climbing and swinging, allowing for greater freedom in exploring San Vansterdam's verticality. A key innovation is the ability for players to instantly add ramps, rails, and other objects into the game world for everyone on the server to use, fostering a collaborative and ever-changing skate park.
Full Circle has been actively involving the community in the development process through a series of playtests. The next major update for playtesters, version 0.27, is scheduled for this July and is expected to significantly increase the player count per server to 150, alongside other enhancements. These playtests have been crucial in gathering feedback and refining the core experience ahead of the wider early access launch.
As the summer release window approaches, anticipation continues to build for what Full Circle hopes will be a long-lasting and community-driven skateboarding platform.
