EA’s upcoming free-to-play skating titleSkateis finally starting console playtesting, nearly five years after the game was announced. The new game will be called simplySkate(stylized asskate.) and it will be a free-to-play title for PC, Mac, and, as a series first, consoles and mobile devices. After a long wait, EA has finally started the console playtesting phase, inviting registered fans to try the title before it launches in early access sometime in 2025.
A post on theSkateXaccount states that “console playtesting is happening!”, confirming thatthe upcoming title has started inviting players to the console beta testing. The announcement urges players to register for a chance to playtest the new game on theSkatewebsite. However, it seems that not every registered player is getting invited to the playtest, as another comment follows up that anyone who hasn’t been invited via email should “hang tight” as the game will “continue to invite new players who are registered as we go.”
Skate Is Ready To Be Tested Several Years After It’s Announcement Debut
The Playtesting Begins A Bit Later Than Expected
ThenewSkatetitle plans to continue the legacyof the original games in the series. The first game was published in 2008 and was followed up with a few more before going dark after the third and final game, which was published in 2010. Since then, EA had been quiet about the franchise until 2021, when the development giant announced they were working on a new title. Rather than being a sequel,Skatewill be a new original game set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam.
Tony Hawk, Please Don’t Get My Hopes Up About A Pro Skater 3&4 Remake
Tony Hawk has teased a potential comeback of the Pro Skater series, but I don’t want to place too much faith in it until there’s more to know.
The announcement for the playtesting is coming later than expected, as it was originally meant to begin in the fall of 2024. The good news is that fans who signed up months or even years ago when the registration opened are still part of the playtesting pool.The developers have confirmed that there’s no need to re-register, no matter how long ago the original registration occurred. Selected testers will be contacted via email.
Our Take: Skate Could Bring The Nostalgic Genre Back To The Forefront
It Might Revive A Mostly Forgotten Genre
Skateis geared to bring back nostalgic skating games, mainly the pioneer of the genre,Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.Pro Skaterwas a hit when it first launched in 1999. Although the series has gone on to produce more titles since the original game, not many have managed to recapture the feel of the first title.
WhenSkateis released this year, it will make the game available to everyone for free, making it accessible to all fans. From the look of the videos and content, I’m excited to give the game a try when it launches sinceI was a huge fan ofPro Skaterand have been looking for a title that can recapture the essence of the late 90s. EA’sSkatepromises to bring realistic skating to all its platforms, reviving a genre that’s been mostly forgotten to time.
