The skateboarding community was taken by surprise when Electronic Arts (EA) announced a new Skate game was in development. After a decade of waiting, fans were thrilled to hear that the beloved franchise was finally making a comeback. While details are still scarce, an interview with Cuz Perry and Deran Chung, key members of the original Skate 3 team, provides some insights into what players can expect from the new title.
The Long Wait and the Revival
The journey to this new Skate game has been a long and winding one. The original studio behind the franchise, Black Box, was dismantled, leaving the future of the series uncertain. According to Perry and Chung, the team poured everything they had into Skate 3, not knowing if there would ever be another installment. While Skate 3 didn’t achieve massive initial sales, it gained a dedicated cult following over time. This surge in popularity, coupled with internal support, paved the way for the new title.
The unexpected reactivation of Skate 3 servers in 2018, which was later revealed to be accidental, further fueled fan speculation. However, the real catalyst was the appointment of Laura Miele as Chief Studios Officer at EA. She immediately championed the revival of the Skate franchise, setting the wheels in motion for the new project.
What to Expect From the New Skate Game
While the developers remain tight-lipped about specific details, they have offered some clues about what to expect. First and foremost, they emphasized that the new game will feel like a Skate title. The core gameplay mechanics that fans know and love will remain intact. This means the new game will maintain the series’ signature focus on realistic skateboarding, with intuitive controls and trick-based gameplay. However, the new game won’t be a mere update, they have exciting plans to expand upon the original formula.
The team is also working to integrate a new level of community engagement into the game. They recognize the significant evolution of skateboarding culture and aim to reflect that in the new title. Social features that were ahead of their time in the original games are being expanded upon.
The developers want to provide players with a platform for creativity and collaboration, creating a sandbox environment where players can build and share their own custom skate spots. The new game is also being designed to acknowledge the online communities that have kept Skate 3 alive for the last decade, by using the game as a way to expand on the online video content creation and virtual teams that fans have been engaging in.
Influences and the Future of Skate
The team acknowledges the impact that content creators had on Skate 3’s popularity, with YouTubers like PewDiePie introducing the game to a new generation of players. They also note the public demand for a new title, amplified by influential figures like Tyler, the Creator. However, the development team is primarily focusing on creating a game that is true to the spirit of skateboarding and the vision of the original Skate games.
The developers are aware of other skateboarding games that have emerged in recent years like Skater XL and Session, but are not influenced by their design direction. They are focused on building a game that expands on the original mechanics and community engagement while being respectful to the history of skateboarding and the legacy of the series. The focus is on ensuring the game is released in the best possible state and the developers are willing to take the time necessary to meet that goal.
Despite the long wait, fans can be assured that the new Skate game is coming from a team that is passionate about the franchise and dedicated to honoring its legacy.
