The long-awaited return of one of skateboarding’s most beloved franchises is finally happening. Skate — unofficially referred to as Skate 4 by longtime fans — will launch into early access on September 16, 2025, and it’s coming in hot with a bold approach: free-to-play, cross-platform, and fully focused on community-driven development.
After more than a decade of silence following Skate 3, the series is back under the direction of Full Circle, a new studio formed by Electronic Arts specifically to revive the franchise. But this isn’t just a nostalgic revival. Skate aims to reinvent the skateboarding game for a new generation — while keeping the soul of the series intact.
Set in the brand-new open city of San Vansterdam, the game blends realistic physics-based skating with a massive multiplayer world where players can skate, build, and hang out together. Unlike its predecessors, Skate doesn’t follow a traditional career or story mode. Instead, it emphasizes creative expression, player-made content, and the thrill of mastering the streets at your own pace.
Early access will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and even last-gen consoles, with full cross-play and cross-progression from day one. This means players can skate with friends across different systems, and progress carries over no matter where you log in. Full Circle has confirmed that mobile versions are in development as well, hinting at an even more accessible future.
Being free-to-play, Skate naturally raises questions about monetization — but the developers have been upfront about their strategy. There will be no pay-to-win mechanics and no gameplay-affecting microtransactions. Instead, revenue will come from cosmetic items, seasonal passes, and optional in-game content like branded gear and skatepark props. According to the team, the goal is to create a living platform that evolves with its player base, not to nickel-and-dime them.
Core gameplay remains physics-driven and trick-based, with an improved Flick-It system that builds on the intuitive controls the series is known for. Players can link tricks fluidly, grind rails, wallride, and use environmental features to pull off creative lines. New mechanics include parkour-style movement off the board, giving players more ways to interact with the world — and each other.
Perhaps the most exciting feature is the “Create Mode”, where players can design and share their own skateparks, obstacles, and challenges. Full Circle has built tools that are both powerful and user-friendly, allowing the community to shape the game’s future through shared content. Whether it’s building the ultimate mega ramp or recreating iconic real-world spots, creativity is at the heart of the experience.
With Skate entering early access, it marks not only the return of a classic series but a major shift in how modern sports games are delivered. Full Circle is betting on community, accessibility, and authenticity — and if early reactions are anything to go by, they’re rolling in the right direction.
Grab your board, find your line, and get ready to drop in. The streets of San Vansterdam open on September 16.
