Electronic Arts Will Implement Microtransactions Into Skate Reboot

The long-awaited new entry into the Skate series is expected to launch in the third or fourth quarter of 2025. Based on the alpha playtest, the free-to-play sports game appeared to have microtransactions implemented into this early build, along with other "exciting" updates.

According to InsiderGaming.com, this update was conveyed to the players in a message explaining the changes. One source relayed the information to InsiderGaming which details the use of Skate.'s in-game currency, which is known as "San Van Bucks".

"To ensure we achieve these goals at Early Access we have enabled the option to purchase and use virtual currency (San Van Bucks) in our ongoing Closed Alpha playtest,” this message states. “Your feedback will be greatly appreciated in providing a great experience at Early Access launch.”

The account progress for the playtesters will likely be reset before the game is out of its alpha stage and goes into early access. Developer Full Circle sees this as the best time to stress test and balance out how this virtual currency will work. Implementation of microtransactions should not come as a surprise, given the game's free-to-play mission statement in this reboot of the series. There may be some shock about how the practice is being rolled out in the game's pre-alpha stage. Based on the literature, it does appear that the practice will be utilized for cosmetics at this point.