Skate Playtests: Promising Gameplay, Art Style & F2P Model Debated
Last Updated: October 26, 2025
The highly anticipated return of EA’s iconic skateboarding series, now officially titled skate., is taking a uniquely transparent path to release. Developer Full Circle has opted for an extended, collaborative development process, inviting players into ongoing playtests to shape the future of the free-to-play title. While feedback from these "insider" sessions has showered praise on the game's core physics and authentic skateboarding feel, passionate community discussions have ignited around its stylized art direction and the implications of its live-service model.
Playtest Impressions: The Core is Strong
For years, fans have clamored for a return to the series' revolutionary physics-based controls, and early signs indicate Full Circle is delivering. Players with access to the pre-alpha playtests, which have expanded from PC to include consoles, consistently report that the fundamental act of skating feels incredible. The tactile, responsive nature of flipping, grinding, and stringing together lines—the very soul of the franchise—has been successfully recaptured and modernized. This strong mechanical foundation is a critical win for the studio, proving they understand what made the original trilogy so beloved.
However, as more players have gotten their hands on the game, the praise for the gameplay has been met with a more critical eye on its presentation.
The San Vansterdam Debate: A "Fortnite-ification" of Skate?
A primary point of contention among playtesters revolves around the game's visual identity. Set in the new city of San Vansterdam, skate. features a bright, colorful, and highly stylized aesthetic. This has led to a recurring critique within the community, with many players describing it as a "Fortnite-ification" of the franchise—a move away from the grittier, more grounded urban realism of its predecessors.
The character models have also drawn comparisons to games like The Sims or Saints Row, with some players feeling they lack a distinct style that resonates with modern skateboarding culture. These concerns highlight a fundamental tension: while the gameplay aims for simulation-level authenticity, the visuals appear to be targeting a broader, more mainstream audience accustomed to the aesthetics of popular live-service games.
In their "The Board Room" video series—a primary tool for developer transparency—Full Circle has directly acknowledged this feedback. They have stressed that the visuals are still very much a work in progress and that they are actively listening to the community's thoughts on the art direction. The goal, they state, is to find a unique look that feels both fresh and true to the spirit of skate, even as they continue to build out the world of San Vansterdam.
Navigating a Free-to-Play Future
The announcement that skate. would be a free-to-play, live-service game was met with both excitement and trepidation. While the model removes the barrier to entry, it also raises familiar concerns about monetization. The original article’s fears of "copious microtransactions" echo a common sentiment in the community.
Full Circle has been proactive in addressing these worries head-on, establishing clear "rules" for their monetization strategy. The studio has pledged that skate. will not feature pay-to-win mechanics, loot boxes, or gameplay-relevant areas locked behind paywalls. Their stated focus is on cosmetic items and convenience, allowing players to support the game through optional purchases that don't impact the competitive balance. This transparent approach is a crucial step in building trust, but the community remains watchful to see how this philosophy translates into the final in-game economy.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Road to Launch
The journey of skate. is proving to be a modern case study in game development. Its extended playtest phase has confirmed that the gameplay foundation is exceptionally strong, delighting longtime fans. Simultaneously, it has created a vital feedback loop, allowing Full Circle to engage directly with player critiques regarding its art style and free-to-play model.
While the "Fortnite" comparisons persist, the studio's commitment to open communication and community-driven iteration offers a promising outlook. The final look and feel of San Vansterdam are still being shaped, and the success of skate. will ultimately depend on the team's ability to balance its fresh vision with the expectations of a passionate, legacy-driven community. As development continues, all eyes remain on Full Circle to see how this ongoing dialogue will define the next generation of skateboarding games.