Last updated on September 20, 2025
It’s been over ten years since the last game in the Skate series, and fans had almost given up hope. Back in 2010, Skate 3 was released, a title many consider a cult classic. Since then, silence. Now, EA has revived the franchise with a reboot simply titled Skate.
A Free Game, Still Under Construction
The biggest surprise is that the new Skate doesn’t cost a dime. It’s available for free on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. But there’s a catch: the game is currently in early access. That means the experience isn’t fully polished. Along with bugs and awkward animations, players have also faced long server queues, with EA introducing wait times to handle the flood of logins.
San Vansterdamn, a City Built for Skateboarding
The action takes place in San Vansterdamn, a fictional city divided into four distinct districts. According to the developers at Full Circle, the city is designed to be “ever-evolving,” with new areas, challenges, and even music added over time. In practice, the game world will grow alongside its community.
Long-Term Plans
The studio has promised a steady stream of updates: new game modes, additional tricks, online leaderboards, and party voice chat. The idea is to keep players engaged for the long run. Unlike the earlier titles, the new Skate is a free-to-play game funded by microtransactions.
A Franchise With History
The series first appeared in 2007 and quickly drew attention from players looking for something fresh compared to the dominant Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Success came quickly, with Skate 2 launching in 2009 and Skate 3 just a year later. Even mobile devices got their own spin-off, Skate It, in 2008. But after that, the franchise went into a long hiatus, leaving room for Tony Hawk remakes and smaller projects like SkateBird or the realistic sim Session.
Back on the Board
The 2025 launch shows that EA is betting on digital skateboarding once again. While the start may be a little rough, the promise of a free game that grows alongside its community could put Skate back in the spotlight. For those who grew up with Skate 2 or 3, this feels like the fresh new beginning they’ve been waiting for.
