Skate Returns: Early Access Launches September 16, 2025

After years of silence, EA is finally bringing Skate back – but not in the way many fans expected.

The long-awaited revival of the cult skateboarding series will launch in Early Access on September 16, 2025, marking 15 years since Skate 3 first hit consoles.

The new installment, simply titled Skate, is free-to-play and designed as a live service game, available across PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Players will jump into the fictional city of San Vansterdam, a vibrant playground built for grinding rails, kickflips, and community-driven creativity.

A short trailer released by EA revealed gameplay snippets, the game’s cover art, and a first look at San Vansterdam. But this isn’t just a nostalgic callback – EA and developer Full Circle are positioning Skate as a long-term platform. The title requires an always-online connection and will feature cosmetic microtransactions, a direction that has sparked mixed reactions from fans.

“Skate is not just a return, it’s a complete evolution of the franchise that’s built to last,” said executive producer Mike McCartney. “Our goal is to capture the freedom, creativity, and community of skateboarding while pushing into a bold new future.”

Head of creative Jeff Seamster echoed this, emphasizing the role of the community: “From the start, we’ve built this alongside players. San Vansterdam is an open city where anyone can skate, express themselves, and connect with others. Early Access is just the beginning of that journey.”

Despite skepticism about its free-to-play structure, Early Access means fans will have a direct hand in shaping the game’s evolution. If Full Circle nails the gameplay, the live service model may fade into the background – but if not, Skate risks becoming another EA experiment cut short.