What a "surprise": Electronic Arts has once again deceived players by adding paid locations to skate.

What a "Surprise": Electronic Arts Deceives Players Again, Adds Paid Locations to skate.

The relationship between studio Full Circle and the fan community of Skate has cracked: the announcement of the updated map for the third season has turned into a scandal. The developers announced the return of the "Thunder Island" location, familiar to fans from the second and third installments of the series. However, access to it turned out to be paid, which directly contradicts the promises made by the authors when announcing the project in 2022.

The monetization scheme looks convoluted: from March 10 to April 14, the map will be open only to owners of the premium pass, followed by a short period of universal access, and from May 5, the location will again become an exclusive for subscribers. Regular players are offered one-day passes for in-game currency.

Studio representatives explain the decision by the need to fund the game's development and add new mechanics, but the community has met these arguments with skepticism. Players remind that the absence of paid zones was positioned as a fundamental principle of the project's monetization.

The third season will also introduce a tattoo system, collaborations with Adidas and Vans, and the Speedlines speed mode. The studio's plans include another major location, competitive modes, and a user park editor.