The latest Skate game from EA, marking the series’ return after 15 years, has just entered early access. While the free-to-play title is immensely popular, its launch has been marred by significant server queues. Developer Full Circle has responded to player complaints, but the community’s primary frustration stems from the game’s mandatory always-online connection, a detail that, despite prior warnings, is not being well-received today.
Lengthy Server Queues Plague Early Access
In an official statement, developer Full Circle acknowledged the “LOT” of players attempting to access the Skate servers on launch day. To manage the high demand, server queues were implemented. Full Circle assured players they are actively working to reduce wait times. While server queues are a common occurrence in online games—even observed in other EA titles like Battlefield’s multiplayer beta—they remain a significant source of annoyance for players eager to jump into the action. Reports from the fan community indicate that some players who finally reached the front of the queue were subsequently disconnected due to further server problems.
Widespread Frustration Over Mandatory Online Connection
The new Skate title is fundamentally an always-online game, a fact Full Circle had previously announced in April. The developers explained that this design choice was crucial for realizing their vision: “The game and city are designed to be a living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox that is always online and always evolving.” They highlighted that this persistent connection enables larger-scale evolutions within the city, alongside smaller elements like live events and other in-game activities. Full Circle firmly stated, “In order to deliver on our vision of a skateboarding world, the game will always require a live connection.” However, with the game now live, many players are expressing intense frustration with this requirement. Numerous discussions within the fan community show calls for EA and Full Circle to introduce an offline mode. Given the developer’s strong stance on its integration into Skate’s core design, an offline option may be an unlikely prospect.
Early Access Status Means More Development Ahead
It’s important to remember that the new Skate is currently in early access, meaning it’s an unfinished product. As expected with games in this phase, players will likely encounter bugs and other unexpected issues. Full Circle has committed to carefully reviewing all feedback from this early access period to refine and enhance the overall player experience.
Impressive Player Numbers Despite Challenges
Despite the initial hurdles, Skate has already achieved remarkable popularity, exceeding 78,000 concurrent players on a major gaming platform, placing it among the top ten most-played games. This impressive figure represents only a portion of the game’s total audience, as it’s also available across other PC platforms and both PlayStation and Xbox consoles.