EA’s Skate franchise has returned after a 15-year break, with skate. launching as a free-to-play Early Access title on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. It’s a modern, always-online take built around drop-in multiplayer, seasonal updates, and a sprawling new city called San Vansterdam. Servers support up to 150 players per shard, and the classic Flick-It control system has been overhauled for finer trick control. Cross-play and cross-progression are in from day one.
There’s a big caveat for Valve’s handheld crowd: no Steam Deck support at launch. EA’s own PC specs page spells it out—macOS and Linux aren’t supported, and while the Steam build is “Steam Native,” the Deck itself isn’t supported. That decision is tied to EA’s anti-cheat stack, which relies on kernel-level tech that doesn’t play nicely with Linux/SteamOS.
- crashes
- lags
- fps drops
- BSoDs
- failed launches
PC players should also note a few Early Access constraints. For now, mouse and keyboard aren’t supported—you’ll need a controller (Xbox or PlayStation pads work, including Elite/DualSense Edge). Upscalers are a work in progress: AMD FSR and Intel XeSS options are available today, with DLSS planned for a future update.
If you’re on a Windows handheld like an ROG Ally or Legion Go, you’re in better shape than Deck owners since the game targets Windows and includes full cross-play/cross-progression. The Steam page also confirms the always-online foundation, the 150-player server cap, and that it’s free now and beyond Early Access.
Launch-day reception is still shaking out, but on Steam the rating sits at Mixed as of writing (about 42% positive). That’s not unusual for a big live-service debut, especially one leaning on real-time servers and anti-cheat. EA says Early Access is a starting point that will evolve over time, and the team estimates a roughly one-year runway toward a fuller release—subject to change based on feedback.
There were also the predictable opening-night growing pains: some players encountered server queues and connectivity hiccups as demand spiked. EA says it’s working through the load.
