Skate Playtesting Now Includes Console Players

Summary

• Console players can now participate in playtesting for skate., the eagerly awaited new addition to the Skate franchise.
• The playtest is accessible via the skate. Insider program for Xbox and PlayStation users.
• skate. is confirmed to be free-to-play, set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, with more gameplay features on the horizon.

Console enthusiasts can finally dive into skate., the highly anticipated new chapter in the beloved Skate franchise, thanks to a new round of playtesting. Although skate. has been undergoing playtests since mid-2022, these were initially limited to the PC version. Now, Xbox and PlayStation players can experience the first Skate game in about 15 years.

The last release in the Skate series was Skate 3 back in 2010. Despite a dedicated fanbase, the franchise was seemingly put on hold by EA, which focused more on FPS, Battle Royale, and live-service games. However, persistent support from fans, symbolized by the #Skate4 hashtag, eventually led EA to announce a new dedicated development studio. Last Fall, it was revealed that skate. would enter early access in 2025, and the inclusion of console testing is a promising step toward that timeline.

Announced through skate.'s official Twitter account, Xbox and PlayStation users can now join the playtest through the skate. Insider program, which requires registration. A brief video clip from the development team addressed fan questions, confirming the addition of more Black hairstyle options. They also humorously noted the playtest was initially announced for "Fall 2024."

EA has confirmed that skate. will be a free-to-play, live-service game, though full details remain somewhat elusive. The game is set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, a work-in-progress that draws inspiration from San Vanelona, Port Carverton, and real-world locales. Although a version of skate.'s map leaked in 2023, it may have undergone significant changes since then. Fans can either register for the playtest or wait for skate. to become more widely available.

Skate Around in the Meantime

While skate. is slated to enter early access in 2025, gamers are well aware that development timelines can shift, as is often the case in the gaming industry. In the interim, fans of the genre have plenty of other skateboarding games to enjoy until skate. fully launches.