EA's highly anticipated revival of Skate will require players to maintain an "always on" internet connection. In an updated FAQ on the official blog, developer Full Circle confirmed that the game cannot be played offline, stating, "The game and city are designed to be a living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving." This design choice facilitates dynamic changes to the city, live events, and various in-game activities, enhancing the overall experience of the game.

Full Circle emphasized that this requirement aligns with their vision for a connected skateboarding world. They noted, "That is probably not much of a surprise if you’ve been in our playtest," referencing the Always-On Playtest that began in September 2024. This phase is dedicated to testing the game within a permanent live environment, with servers running continuously.

Scheduled for an early access launch in 2025, Skate has been in development since its announcement at EA Play way back in 2020. Throughout this period, Full Circle has engaged the community with closed community playtests of early builds. Additionally, last month saw the introduction of microtransactions, allowing players to purchase a virtual currency called San Van Bucks. This currency can be used to acquire cosmetic items, with Full Circle aiming to ensure a "positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store."

The developer acknowledges that using real money during a playtest is unconventional but believes it's essential for fine-tuning the microtransaction system before the official launch. They explained, "We know that using real money during a playtest is a little unusual, but we think it’s the best way to properly assess and adjust the system before launch." Full Circle also reassured players that any money spent during the playtest will be converted to San Van Bucks (SVB) upon the reset for the Early Access launch, allowing for potential price adjustments and other changes over time.