For EA`s highly anticipated new Skate game, the most crucial element isn`t merely polished gameplay or captivating environments; it`s the soundtrack. Within the extensive playlist, one particular sub-genre generates immense interest: ska music, which many enthusiasts consider the ultimate accompaniment for executing perfect kickflips. The question on everyone`s mind is, how much ska will be featured in the upcoming Skate title? While the developers are actively promoting the game`s release on PC and consoles, they remain somewhat evasive regarding the exact amount of ska included.
“I know ska is really polarising. I love Ska, I love Rocksteady (another genre of music), so I don`t know how to answer this. I`m also bad at math, so I`m going to say it won`t be a high percentage but I won`t rule out ska being on the soundtrack,”
— Senior Creative Director Deran Chung
Chung humorously acknowledged ska`s divisive nature while expressing his personal fondness for both ska and rocksteady. Adding to this, Jeff Seamster, Skate`s Head of Creative, confirmed that the game would definitely include “some” ska. This hint might be enough to encourage fans to unearth their vintage Mighty Mighty Bosstones T-shirts and revisit their cherished Reel Big Fish CDs.
Players will not be strictly limited by the game`s official soundtrack, however. The new Skate is designed with seamless integration for streaming services on both console and PC. This functionality allows users the freedom to curate their ideal ska playlists, featuring artists like Fishbone and Madness from platforms such as Spotify, to personalize their skateboarding experience.
After several years in development, Skate is slated to launch into early access on September 16 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. This new iteration of the beloved series is conceived as a free-to-play, live-service game, developed by Full Circle. The studio prides itself on a team that includes veterans of the Skate franchise, such as Deran Chung and Chris “Cuz” Parry. Set in the vibrant, fictional city of San Vansterdam, the developers are placing a significant emphasis on fostering a strong and engaged community of players to define the next era of Skate.