Skate Players Get Free Rewards After Rocky Launch
Developer Full Circle is offering a token of appreciation to its massive player base for the new free-to-play title Skate, acknowledging a turbulent start for some since the game’s early access debut in September. In a new, transparent blog post, the studio outlined the free rewards coming to all players and provided crucial clarity on how progression and currency will be handled heading into the game's next season.
Since launching into early access, the highly anticipated return of the Skate franchise has seen an incredible turnout, with the studio reporting that "tens of millions" of players have already dropped into the sprawling city of San Vansterdam. However, that massive influx of skaters has come with its share of technical hurdles. The developers are meeting the community's feedback head-on, admitting the experience hasn't been perfect for everyone.
Acknowledging the Bumpy Ride
For many players, the initial weeks in San Vansterdam have been a mix of thrilling discovery and frustrating technical issues. The development team has been closely monitoring player feedback and has acknowledged several key problem areas that have impacted the community's experience.
These issues, common for a game in its early testing phases, have included:
- Server Instability: Players have reported intermittent connection drops and lag, particularly during peak play times.
- Matchmaking Problems: Difficulty finding and joining sessions with friends or other players has been a recurring point of frustration.
- Performance Hitches: Some players, even on high-end hardware, have experienced unexpected frame drops and stutters while exploring the city.
- Miscellaneous Bugs: A variety of in-game glitches, from physics quirks to progression blockers, have been actively reported by the community.
Full Circle emphasized that player feedback is the entire purpose of this early access period and that their top priority is building a stable and fun foundation for the game's future.
Free "Thank You" Bundle Dropping for All Skaters
As a direct result of this feedback and as an apology for the frustrations, Full Circle is granting a free rewards package to all early access players. This bundle is designed as a gesture of goodwill to thank the community for their patience and valuable contributions in identifying bugs and helping to shape the game.
While the exact name of the bundle was not specified, it will reportedly contain a collection of exclusive cosmetic items to help players customize their skaters. These items are expected to be unique to this early phase of the game, allowing early adopters to showcase their veteran status down the line. The free rewards are a clear signal from the developer that they value their foundational community. All players who have logged in during the current season are eligible to receive the pack.
The Big Reset: What Carries Over and What Doesn't?
One of the most critical clarifications in the developer update concerns the upcoming seasonal reset. As is standard practice for games in a pre-launch or beta state, a progression wipe is necessary to test the game's economy and ensure a level playing field for all players when the next major phase begins. Full Circle has now detailed exactly what players will keep and what will be reset.
What You Will Keep:
Any premium currency purchased with real-world money will be fully carried over. Furthermore, any cosmetic items that were purchased using that premium currency will also remain in your inventory permanently. The studio stressed that players will not lose any real-money value they have invested in the game.
What Will Be Wiped:
- Earned In-Game Currency: All non-premium currency earned through gameplay, challenges, and level-ups will be reset to zero.
- Seasonal Progress: Any progression made on the seasonal pass or reward track will be wiped.
- Unlocked Items from Gameplay: Cosmetics and gear unlocked through in-game accomplishments or the seasonal pass (rather than purchased with premium currency) will be removed.
The developers explained this reset is essential for balancing the in-game economy and progression systems. By analyzing how players earned and spent currency in this first season, the team can make critical adjustments to ensure the system is fair, rewarding, and sustainable for the game's official launch and beyond.
What's Next for Skate?
Looking ahead, Full Circle reaffirmed its commitment to building Skate alongside its community. The blog post serves as more than just an apology; it's a renewed promise of transparency and collaboration. The team is actively working on patches to address the server stability and performance issues that players have reported.
The next season of Skate is expected to bring not only a fresh start for progression but also new content, gameplay tweaks, and further refinements based directly on the mountain of data and feedback gathered during this initial early access period. The developer urged players to continue sharing their thoughts, promising that they are listening intently as they work towards the full launch of the game on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I claim the free rewards in Skate?
The rewards bundle will be automatically granted to the accounts of all players who have logged into the game during the current early access season. You should see the items in your inventory upon your next login after the update is deployed.
Why is my in-game progress being wiped?
The progression and currency wipe is a standard part of game development during an early access or beta phase. It allows the developers to test and balance the economy and progression speed. It also ensures that all players will start on equal footing when the next major season or the full game launches.
Will I lose items I paid for with real money?
No. Full Circle has confirmed that any premium currency you purchased and any cosmetic items you bought with that premium currency are safe and will carry over through all future wipes and into the final game.
Is there a release date for the next season of Skate?
The developer has not yet announced a specific start date for the next season. However, they have assured players that they are working hard on the next phase of content and technical fixes. Players should keep an eye on the official Skate channels for the latest news.