EA’s new ‘Skate’ is a free-to-play live service game

It’s been a little over two years since we learned that the first entry in the Skate series since 2010 Skate 3† While the publisher isn’t quite ready to announce the release window yet, he revealed some more details, including the fact that the game has just been named †

It is a free-to-play live service title with microtransactions, although there are no pay-to-win elements or . You don’t need to transfer any money to unlock parts of the map (the action takes place in a new location called San Vansterdam) and there are no paid gameplay benefits. “We get inspiration from games like Apex Legends or other popular titles that are free to play, where spending money is completely optional, and it’s all about cosmetics and convenience,” said Isabelle Mocquard, EA’s chief of product management. †

EA plans to support Skate for years to come with additional gameplay features, balance changes, more content and seasonal events. “We’re in this for the long haul. That means we’re not an iterative title,” said creative director Chris “Cuz” Parry. “There will be no Skate 5 by means of 10. We won’t be pumping them out all the time.”

The publisher invited fans to test “pre, pre, pre-alpha software” and provide feedback to make the game the best it can be. Soon more players will be welcome to try early versions of the game †

EA opened a new studio in Vancouver to take control Skate, although it is a largely third-party team with developers across North America. Some veterans of the Skate franchise are also on board, including Parry.

Skate will be available on PlayStation and Xbox (including the last-gen consoles), and the series will be . Full Circle is also working on a mobile version, which is still in the early stages of development. There will also be cross-play and cross-progression across all platforms.