Summary

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

Console enthusiasts are thrilled to finally have the opportunity to playtest skate., the highly anticipated new entry in the beloved Skate franchise. Previously, playtests were exclusive to the PC version since mid-2022, but now Xbox and PlayStation players can experience the first Skate game in about 15 years.

The last installment in the Skate series, Skate 3, was released in 2010. Despite a dedicated fanbase, the franchise was seemingly put on hold by EA, who shifted focus to FPS, Battle Royale, and live-service games. However, the persistent demand from fans, highlighted by the #Skate4 hashtag, eventually led EA to announce a new dedicated development studio for the series. Last Fall, it was revealed that skate. would enter early access in 2025, and the inclusion of console testing marks a significant step forward.

The announcement came via skate.'s official Twitter account, inviting Xbox and PlayStation players to join the playtest through the skate. Insider program, which requires registration. A brief video clip featured members of the development team addressing fan questions. While specific gameplay features like the new and improved replay editor were not discussed, they confirmed the addition of more Black hairstyle options and humorously mentioned the playtest initially planned for "Fall 2024."

EA has confirmed that skate. will be a free-to-play, live-service game, though details about its full scope remain somewhat elusive. The game is set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, a city still in development, drawing inspiration from San Vanelona, Port Carverton, and real-world locations. A leaked version of the map surfaced online in 2023, but it may have undergone significant changes since then. Fans can either sign up 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 aware that development timelines can shift, as is common in the industry. In the meantime, fans of the genre have several other games to enjoy before the full release of the new Skate title.