Last June, EA announced that the infamous Skate series was getting a revival with a fourth release for the franchise. During the EA Play Showcase , the publisher refrained from revealing any gameplay of details surrounding the game, largely due to it being still in early stages of development. This did not stop fans from rejoicing, with the popular skateboarding series now on-track for a comeback.
The previous title in the series, Skate 3, released all the way back in 2010, meaning the franchise has skipped an entire console generation. In its absence from the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles, the skating genre seemed to take a hiatus, with the recently published remaster of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 reviving the nostalgic category of games.
Seven months on, and fans are waiting eagerly for more news surrounding the game,. However, EA has just shed more light on who is in charge of the future Skate title.
FULL CIRCLE FOR SKATE 4
As first reported by Game Informer , EA announced the formation of a new studio that is set to take the lead in the development of future untitled Skate game. Based in Vancouver, Full Circle will be at the helm in the creation of the game, set to be led by Daniel McCulloch, formerly Head of Xbox Live at Microsoft. McCulloch will be joined by Deran Chung and Cuz Parry, both of whom worked on the original three games within the Skate franchise.
In a statement, Chung and Parry said they were “so stoked to be back working on Skate,” whilst McCulloch offered a full statement later on:
“The fans wished Skate back into existence and we want them to feel involved in the process from development to game launch and beyond. We want them to feel like they are a part of Full Circle. We’re all about having fun and making great games that people want to play with their friends. And, we’re looking for more developers to help us build compelling worlds for players to explore."
SKATE 4 STILL A FEW YEARS AWAY?
An official announcement regarding the lead studio for the next Skate title can only cement fans' confidence in a future release. Given that the official reveal last year was presented without gameplay or screenshots, many were skeptical of EA's intentions for the franchise. But, with Full Circle now confirmed to be leading development, work can start on bringing the game to life.
According to reports, Full Circle is still hiring in a number of positions , potentially revealing some information on the current status of the game. Given there are still vacancies within the company, it seems as though fans may have to wait a few more years for any sort of release. Plus, with the current state of the video-gaming environment, it would be unsurprising that EA and Full Circle would want to take their time on the game, ensuring a high-quality title at release.
A release date and available platforms list should be right around the corner, and fans will be hoping now that the future Skate game can match their expectations and continue the great legacy the franchise has managed to achieve so far.
XBOX Writer