Skate is expected to be released in early access this year, but console players can take a peek early as console playtesting begins. Electronic Arts HAS opened up sign-ups for a closed, console playtesting period that’s ongoing — to access Skate, you’ll need to sign-up on the Skate website. Not everyone will get in, however.
Electronic Arts has done several playtests in the past, including as far back at 2022. Early playtests like Skate’s are not the norm in the video game industry; Electronic Arts has been quite open about development for this title. “We’re still in the development stages of skate. and are bringing insiders like you into the game much sooner than is the norm in our industry,” a representative wrote on the Skate insider FAQ page. “We’re incredibly passionate about skate. and want to ensure we’re building the best possible game, and that’s why we want you playing and providing valued feedback ahead of a worldwide launch.”
The new Skate game was officially confirmed in 2020, and in 2021, Electronic Arts announced it had created a new studio, called Full Circle, to make the game. The last Skate game was released in 2010 by Electronic Arts’ Canadian studio Black Box in 2013, preceded by Skate 2 in 2009 and Skate in 2007. Black Box has since been merged into Electronic Arts Canada.
The last big Skate update was last year, when Electronic Arts and Full Circle touched on art, worldbuilding, gameplay mechanics, narrative, and character customization in a blog past. Part of that update included a live action, in-world video starring I Think You Should Leave’s Tim Robinson. The video debuted at Summer Game Fest, bringing players into Skate’s world of San Vansterdam and introducing corporate overlords M-Corp.
There’s still no official release date for Skate’s early access release.
