It's official - Skate 4 is happening! After countless pleas from skating fans to EA over the years, we finally know that a fresh Skate is coming, although it could be a long time before it sees the light of day.
The legendary skateboarding game has gathered dust since its last outing in 2010 - but now it's being resurrected after a long hiatus. Perhaps EA has taken note of the success with the recent Tony Hawk remaster. While we still don't have much information, we've rounded up all we've seen so far. For now at least, here's everything we know about Skate 4:
We also have all the details you need on the next UFC game and EA Sports FC, which will replace FIFA after this year's game.
Latest Skate 4 News
As first reported by VGC, a build of Skate 4 has been leaked online and EA are pleading with fans to not download it.
As we know, the game is still a way out from being released, so any build you download will not be the final game, or even close to it.
For the first time since reveal, we've been treated to a proper look at Skate 4.
EA has confirmed that the team is "Still working on it" and that playtests will be starting soon. You can check out the new trailer, including very early footage of the game, below.
It seems like Skate 4 is coming along, with some prototype footage of the game leaking recently.
Jeff Crubb from VentureBeat tweeted the video below, which shows off the game in action.
The developers are clearly trying to nail down the feel of the skating - which is vital to the game - before focusing on everything else around it.
February 4, 2022 -
EA CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed during the company's recent earnings call that Skate 4's release might take place soon. Talking about the game's inclusion of user-generated content, that's "the ability to create your own content and put it into that ecosystem."
Part of his statement reads:
It has been at the very center of the Sims for a long time, it's at the very center of modes like FIFA and Madden Ultimate Team, it's at the very center at the design of Skate which will be launching soon.
26 August 2021 -
Releasing a brief video and a kickflip, EA confirmed Skate 4's coming to PC, marking the first platform confirmation we've seen so far.
19 July 2021 -
As promised, the Skate 4 dev team released a new Skate 4 trailer in place of attending EA Play. However, it's not quite what you might be thinking.
The new trailer gives a brief look at Skate 4's motion capture process with the caption "we're working on it."
18 July 2021 -
In a statement from the game's Twitter account, the team has confirmed it won't be at this week's EA Play event.
We're not ready for prime time just yet and we won't be part of the EA Play Live show on Thursday.
The tweet also promises to "share a little something with you all tomorrow".
Skate 4 - Release Date
There is no release date as it stands - as the title has only recently started development, we anticipate a 2023 release. The game's Twitter account confirmed that a development team was formed in January of 2021, so we could be some way from seeing it.
That being said, during EA's Q3 2022 earnings call EA CEO, Andrew Wilson, stated that the game will "launch soon".
Skate 4 - Developers
EA has announced that it is opening a new development studio called 'Full Circle' to build the next game in the Skate Series. Former Xbox Live boss Daniel McCulloch is overseeing the team as general manager.
The fans wished Skate back into existence, and we want them to feel involved in the process from development to game launch and beyond,” said McCulloch. “We want them to feel like they are a part of Full Circle.
Many will know that EA Black Box was the original studio behind the series. EA Black Box created an abundance of extreme sport games such as Need For Speed, Sega Soccer Slam, NHL 2K and more. However, the studio was shut down in 2012. Luckily, EA is bringing back both Deran Chung and Cuz Parry as key designers. The new studio will be situated in Vancouver, Canada.
Skate 4 - Platforms
A PC release is confirmed, but we can expect the game to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S too.
Depending on the release date and demand for older-generation titles, it could also arrive on PS4 and Xbox One.
There's no telling if it will appear on Switch, as it will depend on where Nintendo are with their own flagship console.
Why Is Skate 3 So Popular?
So why is Skate 3 so popular? If Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 Remaster didn't give you the answer, it's because skateboarding games are unbelievably popular and had a big fan base for the late '90s and early 2000s.
Players were extremely positive on the tight controls, nice animations, good level design, great soundtrack, lots of content and great satisfaction while playing.
One Reddit user summed it up perfectly:
THPS = Crazy Taxi of skateboarding games. EA Skate = Tiger Woods PGA tour of Skateboarding games.