EA’s Skate franchise seemed to release at the right time; with Tony Hawk’s arcade style games beginning to face a fall in popularity and little competition on the market, 2007’s Skate game and its subsequent sequels quickly rose to the top spot. However, the games developing studio BlackBox studios shut down a few years after Skate 3, meaning fans were left for a decade unsure for the future of Skate. Twelve years later, we finally have more answers. So, other than not being called Skate 4, what do we know and what do we expect about the upcoming Skate. game?
History of Skate
Skate
Known for having organic controls (on which I will delve into more depth soon), Skate was the first title released in the series. It was created by developers BlackBox studio, who are also known for the earlier Need for Speed games. The game was released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox360. Not only did the game introduce more realistic gameplay, but also photography and filming challenges, which to this day remain a relevant part of skateboarding. The game introduces pro skaters, offering a different selection of skaters to skate with. This was in comparison to the Tony Hawk games at the time, who have since added more pros to their recent remasters.
The first game in the franchise, the 2007 release would change the skateboarding genre for ever.
Skate It
This spin-off from the main series was developed for Nintendo consoles, the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. Skate It made use of the Wii’s motion controls and the DS’s stylus, having you swipe and flick the required motions to perform tricks. Customization is available for both your skater and the spots you skate. This enables the player to tweak their environment to their style. Again, this perfectly displays the freedom that skateboarding brings.
The second game released in the franchise. Exclusive for Nintendo Wii and DS, this title made use of the stylus and the Wii’s motion controls.
Skate 2
Despite its creative title of and being the second main title in the franchise, this is the third instalment into the series. Following on from the events of the spin-off title, skateboarding is now a crime. Despite this nod to the controversy of the sport, the game still focuses on the loved aspects of the first game. Slick controls, filming challenges to raise your fame and earn sponsors and again skating with the pros. It is in this game where the iconic Hall of Meat mode is introduced. Not for the faint hearted, this challenge mode earns you points based on the gnarliest bails. It also highlights the bones broke during the trick.
The follow up skate game for console users. Although still loved by fans, Skate 2’s launch in 2009 wasn’t as successful as its successor’s.
Skate 3
I’m pretty sure Skate 3 brings a flash of nostalgia for anyone who owned either a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, or even spent a lot of time on YouTube. Skate 3 wasn’t just the strongest title in the series, but possibly of all extreme sport titles. The game improved further on the analog stick controls and introduced a brighter map divided into separate districts. Skate 3 took everything the series did best and then did it better. Multiplayer had new game modes. These included the real-life game of S.K.A.T.E played as 1UP. You could race and film with friends, skate around the fictional city unlocking spots and gear as you go. There were also new difficulty modes available; easy and hard, the latter of which made for a more challenging and realistic experience.
The best instalment in the franchise and an inspiration to the genre since, Skate 3 released in 2010.
What made Skate so good?
Innovative controls
Anyone who knows me knows I love games that make clever use of the controls. The Skate series is renowned for just that. Each part of the controller has an important use. The analog sticks are used to control both skater and board with ‘flick it’ motions used to pull off simple ollies to tre flips (also known as a 360 flip). The trigger buttons are used for finger flips and grabs, both left and right respectively. You can bail both on the ground and in the air. The ability to control your skater in the air with ragdoll-like physics have made for some hilarious gaming moments, mainly due to the glitches and crazy bails.
In game challenges
The in-game challenges not only helped to stop the skateable city from becoming boring after an hour or so, but stayed true to the roots of skating. Unlocking sponsor deals from real-life skateboarding brands and access to their merchandise, including apparel, footwear and skateboard decks/hardware. The objectives in the game aren’t filled with unrelated collectathons. Instead, you’re tasked with racing other skaters, filming and taking photos of specific tricks in spots. Or simply completing the skate school tutorials with Coach Frank.
Creativity and Freedom
Most games have an option where you are able to modify your character in some way. Despite the details not being amazing (we are talking about a 2010 release), there was a freedom in the ability to be able to choose your own style. You could choose to skate decks and represent your favourite brands, as well as of course landing tricks that you couldn’t even dream of.
The customization options are endless in Skate games. Skate 3 excels in this area, with its design-a-park feature. Designing and modifying your own skate spots essentially means endless possibilities in gameplay. You could create your own vert only park, or have a park designed and catered for street skaters only. I know myself and many others attempted to recreate their local parks in the editor. Besides creating your own park, you also have the ability to modify the spots already provided. The developers here realised that creativity was essential to skaters and handed them the ability to reimagine the Skate world.
Skate.
What we know
With a solid background and die-hard fanbase, the Skate franchise came to a grinding halt when BlackBox studios was officially closed in 2013. That was until June 2020, when original creators of the series Derun Chung and Cuz Perry announced they were back. Then again, the Skate community was left in the dark for another year. The following summer, we were finally treated to a teasing first look at the early stages of development.
Despite leaving many of us, including myself, disappointed with the reveal, it was still enough to create a sense of excitement. With no mention of a launch date or in fact any real information other than reactions, again we were plunged into darkness. Until, finally in June this year, we had another an early glimpse at gameplay.
This definitely generated more of a buzz. Considering the game is still in pre-pre-pre alpha stages, it is looking very promising. The physics look like they’ve maintained their previous hilarious qualities whilst improving on their better ones. You can see this is the bare bones of the game. Yet based on previous Skate games and a bit of imagination, it’s not too difficult to see where the game is heading.
Not even a full month later, the Skate team released a longer video. This time multiple members of the team sat down and discussed the game so far. Now we have more information from the studio themselves, here I’ve put together some information about Skate. what we know and what we expect.
The Team
EA’s new studio Full Circle was created specifically for the game. So far, everyone involved seems to be really engaged and eager to make a game which will be as iconic as Skate 3. The franchise’s creators, Deran Chung and Cuz Perry have made a return, alongside a few of the old developers. This has given me some reassurance that the new title will be something different but remain true to its roots.
Community
As mentioned before, community is a key aspect of skateboarding. We offer one another support, encouragement and new ideas. So far, Full Circle has had as much community involvement as possible. They have even gone as far to have signups for beta players in the pre-pre-alpha stages. The team mention how this is important for them. Not only do they want to hear feedback from long time fans and newcomers alike, they are also able to monitor activity. This means over time they’ll be able to cater the game for the playing community, instead of building on aspects no one will enjoy.
Free-to-play
I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it, but community is important to skaters. Again, the developers have shown their understanding of this by deciding the game will not only be free-to-play. Skate. will also have cross platform across all consoles. This will eventually include PC and mobile users too, bridging the gap between consoles. It will allow players whose friends are on PC and themselves PS5 to play together online. An expansive online multiplayer map which is available to all. It’s pretty hard to mess this up.
Microtransactions
Pretty hard to mess up does not mean impossible. Yet being a free-to-play title, there had to be a catch. EA has a history of riddling games with microtransactions. Full Circle studio however took a hard stance against anything pay to win or loot box related. With this rule in place, most microtransactions can expect to be related to exclusive gear and cosmetic items. Again, this eliminates any barriers between people playing together.
What We Expect
Hall of meat
Online or not, I think it would be a sad loss if the Hall of Meat mode was not to make an entrance into this instalment. The gruesome bit of gameplay is legendary in the Skate games. Flinging your in-game skater into the air in spread eagle positions and seeing the resulting injuries received, is undeniably entertaining. Another entertaining aspect of gameplay is the glitchy physics. I’m not requesting to be thrown off the board on every curb. However, Hall Of Meat was always funniest when your skater ends doing an Irish Jig morphed into a coping.
Freestyle/Variety of Tricks
Since it has been over a decade from the last Skate release, not only video games but also skateboarding has advanced a lot. The tricks being pulled off in this generation are unbelievable. Flips in and out of grinds are a skate game standard but are now a common occurrence among talented athletes. Skate is one of the only games where you can get off your board and interact with it beyond using your feet. It would be really cool to see the developers build on this, as it could lead to some enhanced detail and introduce freestyle to the series.
Single Player
Skateboarding and video games are fun with friends and solo. Although I am glad to see Full Circle’s commitment to community involvement and the multiplayer aspect, I also would like solo challenges too. So far there hasn’t been mention of a storyline or in game challenges. Whilst I am sure there will be some form of linear story, I hope this goes beyond travelling from point A to point B. Perhaps in the form of competitions with the choice to play them multiplayer or offline, it would be nice to have a single player option too.
Filmer Mode
Hear me out. I know the games already lend you the ability to change camera angles and choose filters for your photos/clips. However, with multiplayer being a huge focus of the team’s, it would be an amazing addition if you were able to follow another player with a camera. This opens up windows for more gear as it can bring the addition of different cameras used for pro edits. It will also allow players more creative freedom with their gameplay and could spark more interaction through in game edits being made.
No pressure
Although we only have unfinished gameplay, no release date and the fact that is not called Skate 4, there is high hopes for the upcoming game. A fanbase which has been replaying Skate 3 for a decade, while new skaters have joined the crowd are eagerly awaiting. And given the wait, the build up and the anticipation, I think I can say there is no pressure whatsoever on Full Circle studio. As long as the game stays true to its roots of being a game by skaters, about skaters and for skaters, I think Skate. is a game which will be very well received.
