Skate 4 trailer, playtests, and everything else we know

Skate 4 is officially titled Skate, and playtests have been ramping up on PC and consoles. While we're still waiting for an exact release date, there are already plenty of details out there about upcoming skateboarding adventure that's currently set to come our way in a lineup of exciting new games for 2025.

Confirmed to be launching in Early Access sometime this year, its also been revealed that it won't be a direct follow-up to previous Skate games, and it'll also be free-to-play. We've also been getting some Playtesting highlights from developer Full Circle, with the team set to use player feedback to help shape the experience throughout development and Early Access.

With lots of information out there, we've brought together everything you need to know about Skate 4, or Skate as its officially called - so you can get read to shred when it launches sometime this year, from playtests to platforms, and more.

Skate 4 release date speculation

The good news is that Skate 4 will be released in Early Access sometime in sometime in 2025. This news came via EA and Full Circle on September 17, 2024. We also got a snappy video of gameplay along with the announcement, which you can see for yourself below.

When EA revealed the game in 2020, it was noted that Skate 4 was in the early stages of development. So we've been waiting for any form of release for a while now, even if it is just Early Access.

Console playtesting also began in September 2024, and are still ongoing now, with an Into the Grind post detailing that another wave of invites are expected to be sent to players in June 2025 for those that sign up. The post also reaffirms that Skate is still expected to launch in Early Access in 2025, but we still don't have an exact date just yet.

Skate 4 free-to-play

Skate 4 will, indeed, be free-to-play. As revealed during a developer stream in mid-July 2022, the devs confirmed Skate 4 – or Skate as it is in fact known – will not come with a premium price tag, but will also not be pay-to-win.

There will be "no map areas locked behind a paywall," the devs said, while affirming the next Skate game will not have loot boxes or "paid gameplay advantages." The devs also cited Apex Legends as a good example of a game doing free-to-play well, as they stressed Skate 4 is designed for all players, even those of us who do not wish to spend money on it.

Despite reports to the contrary, the developers have stated again and again in 2023 that there will be no paid loot boxes in the new Skate. The first post of Into the Grind which launched in April 2025 also shared some more details about microtransactions and why the team decided to make them available in early playtesting:

"San Vansterdam will be a living skating world and we want to support ongoing development effectively while also offering a system that feels fair and fun for all of our players. To get there, we're running extensive testing across PC and PS (Xbox testing will be rolling out later) to catch any issues or pain points, and to ensure that the content represents a fair value for our players."

"We know that using real money during a playtest is a little unusual, but we think it’s the best way to properly assess and adjust the system before launch."

While prices are subject to change over the playtesting period as it heads towards Early Access launch, the post reiterates that gameplay areas will not be locked behind any paywalls, or have paid lootboxes:

"We are still adjusting the in-game rewards system, including the items available with San Van Bucks and the earnable Rip Chips currency, which will allow you to grab items from Product Boxes by completing Challenges and ranking up the districts of San Vansterdam," the post states. "As mentioned in The Board Room Ep 3, skate. will not have paid lootboxes. The bottom line – there will be "cool" things for you to earn and customize your character without having to spend real cash."

Skate 4 cross-play and cross-progression 

In the same stream that confirmed Skate 4 will be free-to-play whenever it lands, the devs said the game will also boast cross-platform play and cross-progression play. This means that PC, PlayStation and Xbox players can all buddy up if they so choose, and with a mobile version of Skate 4 also in the works, those playing on IOS or Android will be pleased to know cross-platform options will be supported on mobile too.

Skate 4 trailer

There's close to no gameplay in sight, but Skate 4 received its first meaningful "premiere trailer" at Summer Game Fest 2024. Check it out for yourself above, including some insights on the game from the developer.

Skate 4 playtest

There have been a series of Skate 4 playtests, with console sessions taking place in September 2024 - following the first early playtests that began back in 2022. "More than 200K players" have been invited to take part to date, and the biggest playtest session yet was held in March 2025. An Into the Grind post details how the team are working with the community to bring the game to life and launch it in Early Access:

"As skate. Insiders share their feedback and issues, the Full Circle team is working to address these reports and continually improve the gameplay and the feel of skating in San Vansterdam. We're building this game in collaboration with the community, and that's why these playtests and the sharing of bugs, issues, and feedback is so important."

You can currently still sign up for future playtests (if you're 18 and over), with the Into the Grind post revealing that the next wave of invites is expected to come in June 2025. According to the official EA page where you register, it details what to expect if you want to take part: "As a Skate insider, you have the chance to play early versions of the game and provide feedback throughout our development journey," the sign-up blurb reads. "We need to scale access to Skate gradually as development progresses to ensure a smooth experience, and that means we can't guarantee how soon you'll get to play."

Skate 4 platforms

EA has confirmed that Skate 4 will come to PC - this will be the first installment of the series to arrive on PC. According the Skate FAQ, Skate 4 is set to be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, and PS5 along with PC. It also states that the devs "are currently exploring mobile."

Since Skate is coming out sometime in 2025, we are also guessing that you'll be able to play it on the PS5 Pro, which released in November 2024. So, it looks like no matter your platform of choice, you'll be able to wheel around to your heart's content.

Skate 4 gameplay

The Skate series was famous for letting you define your own style of skating. The animations and physics were set up in such a way that you felt as if you had the freedom to decide how your skater moved and presented themselves in the parks – particularly as you began using the innovative FlickitT dual analog control system to develop your own skill-based tricks and string them together to create unique lines.

Every indication we've had from EA so far would indicate that Skate 4 gameplay will look to update this award-winning formula for a new generation of players. The publisher has also confirmed that it's investing in "user generated content, exploration, and community" for Skate 4, noting how key the community has been to making the Skate series stand the test of time.

Skate 4 developer

Skate 4 is being developed by a brand new studio called 'Full Circle', which was founded to help guide the Skate franchise into the future. Full Circle is based in Vancouver – where EA Sports and Respawn Entertainment are located – and it's staffed with a mixture of Skate series veterans from EA Black Box (including creative leads Deran Chung and Cuz Parry) and developers fresh to the session.

The former general manager of Xbox Live, Daniel McCulloch, is overseeing the studio as general manager. In a statement, McCulloch explained: "The fans wished Skate back into existence, and we want them to feel involved in the process from development to game launch and beyond… We want them to feel like they are a part of Full Circle."

Skate 4 leaks

Skate 4 leaks hit the internet back in April 2022, marking the first time early Skate 4 gameplay was shown to the public. The Skate 4 pre-alpha footage leak showed in-development greybox gameplay, and from it you can get a sense of where developer Full Circle is placing its focus.

There's a large-scale world full of lines to shred, off-the-board free-roaming for exploration, tricks centered around precise movement, and delicate animations to help pull it all together. Which is to say, it's everything you'd want from a long-awaited Skate sequel.

Keep track of all the upcoming releases with our lists of all the upcoming PS5 games and upcoming PC games.