EA's Skate Early Access Shifts the Franchise Into an MMO Space, But Does It Still Work?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
EA and Full Circle's Skate Early Access drops 150 players into an always-online San Vansterdam, blending tactile stick controls with a surprisingly wholesome MMO structure.
Electronic Arts and developer Full Circle have brought back a beloved franchise with the Early Access launch of Skate, offering players an always-online open world where up to 150 skaters share the urban playground of San Vansterdam. While online connectivity and live service structures naturally prompt understandable skepticism from players regarding game preservation and monetization, this multiplayer pivot creates a unique dynamic. Traditional massive multiplayer online games usually revolve around epic quests and impending apocalypses, but Skate embraces low stakes, where everything feels important on a micro level yet nothing is urgent.
The core gameplay heavily relies on the returning Flick-It control scheme, which continues to provide a satisfying, tactile connection to every kickflip, grab, and manual. Finding the sweet spot for a manual using the right stick feels less like a traditional input and more like mechanical safe-cracking. San Vansterdam itself functions less like a gritty, realistic metropolis and more like a massive, beautifully laid-out skate park.
Players can drop into community spaces, watch others pull off complex lines, and use straightforward drag-and-drop tools to build custom ramps and rails for the entire server to enjoy. Monetization in this early build leans entirely on cosmetic items and loot boxes earned through gameplay or purchased with real currency, keeping actual gameplay challenges completely free of paywalls. At the same time, the game leans into a surprisingly wholesome, corporate-friendly vibe that lacks the raw, rebellious edge historically associated with skate culture.
Even so, the community is already finding ways to push back against the boundaries, utilizing clumsy parkour mechanics and exploration to repurpose the environment in unexpected ways. As Full Circle continues shaping San Vansterdam through seasonal updates during its Early Access run, the long-term identity of this multiplayer experiment remains full of potential. For the original review and further details, check out Eurogamer.
Tags: Skate, EA, Full Circle, MMO, Early Access
Original article: Eurogamer