In its ongoing playtests for upcoming free-to-play skateboarding title Skate, publisher EA and developer Full Circle have begun testing microtransactions. As caught by Insider Gaming, participants received a message that listed microtransactions as part of the next update.
They take the form of San Van Bucks, which can be bought with real-world money and are used in an in-game shop to buy cosmetic items. Full Circle has stated in the message that they’re testing to ensure the store works fine when Skate finally launches.
“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,” reads the message. “Your feedback will be greatly appreciated in providing a great experience at Early Access launch.”
The message also warns players that, since it is a playtest, players might see resets in progression. When this happens, however, players who have purchased items with San Van Bucks will see the currency returned. When the game is out in Early Access release, players can use the San Van Bucks acquired during the playtests with the same EA account.
Full Circle recently released a video to showcase how development has been coming along, featuring gameplay from the February playtest. Models and textures were seemingly more complete, and players had access to a vast number of tricks that they could pull. Tricks showcased in the video included flips, grinds, and grabs.
The video also highlighted the level of customisation players can access. Every player character is uniquely dressed, and the fashion ranges from the mundane to the bizarre. There were also tricked-out skateboards, which gives you an idea of how many cosmetics will be available.
Skate doesn’t have a release date but it will enter early access sometime in 2025. It primarily focuses on offering a multiplayer experience with social aspects and character customisation.
While the Early Access release is coming, in the meantime, players can still sign up for the playtests through the game’s official website. The playtests have been going on for PC for quite some time, but the studio has revealed that console players will be able to get in on the action as well.
A lot of the customisation was previously detailed thanks to a dev diary video. Players can change their characters’ height, body shape, and other features. On the clothing front, players can change their tops, pants, eyewear, and even socks.
