Skate Is Back — Free-to-Play Early Access Lands Sept. 16 with Cross-Play and Revamped ‘Flick It’
Skate is finally back: EA and Full Circle are launching the new live-service Skate into early access on September 16, and it will be free-to-play across PC (Steam and Epic), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game will support cross-play and cross-progression, and the studio is positioning this return as a wider-reaching, modern take on the series.
- Release date and platforms for early access
- Trailer tone and where to watch it
- Key features: free-to-play, cross-play, cross-progression, and the rebuilt “flick it” control
Release date and platforms
Skate will enter early access on September 16. It will be available on PC through both Steam and the Epic Games Store, plus on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. In short: both last-gen and current-gen consoles are supported, and PC players get both storefront options.
Trailer and tone
EA released a short, cheeky trailer that plays like a nature documentary — peaceful city shots of San Vanamsterdam followed by a highlight reel of tricks and pratfalls. The clip leans into physics-driven comedy as much as it does skateboarding flair.
Features, cross-play and development
The new Skate is being built by Full Circle, a studio formed specifically for this project, and it represents the franchise’s first main entry in 15 years after being announced in 2020. EA is treating the title as a live-service, free-to-play experience that keeps series staples like the “flick it” control system, now rebuilt in EA’s Frostbite engine.
Importantly, all platforms will support cross-play and cross-progression, according to the official FAQ. For details, see the FAQ on Skate’s website.
EA had previously mentioned a mobile version was in development, but today’s release date announcement didn’t include any further information on that front.
What this means
In short, EA appears to be aiming for maximum reach: a free-to-play launch across many platforms, plus cross-play and progression to keep the player base connected. Whether the live-service approach and the rebuilt control system will satisfy longtime fans remains to be seen, but you won’t have long to find out — early access begins on September 16.
