After a 15-year hiatus, the highly anticipated return of the Skate. series has hit the virtual streets, drawing millions of players. But with early access comes the inevitable skate park of glitches and bugs that both thrill and challenge the dedicated development team.
The virtual skateboarding world recently erupted with excitement as EA`s new Skate. game finally dropped its early access build. For a franchise that last saw a release a decade and a half ago, the anticipation was palpable. The numbers speak for themselves: over two million eager players flocked to San Vansterdam within the first 24 hours. A triumphant return? Absolutely. A flawless one? Well, that would be far less interesting, wouldn`t it?
The Double-Edged Board of Early Access
Developers Full Circle have been commendably transparent about the nature of this initial release. Early access, by its very definition, is a grand experiment, a public beta where players get to jump in early, and developers get a real-time stress test on their systems and mechanics. It’s a symbiotic relationship: players get a sneak peek, and developers get invaluable feedback (and a torrent of bug reports). While some might view a litany of bugs as a dire omen, in the early access realm, it’s practically a badge of honor – or at least, a proof of concept that people really want to play.
San Vansterdam`s Unexpected Obstacles
Upon launch, players eager to shred faced the ultimate grind: a login queue. The sheer enthusiasm for Skate. managed to overwhelm even the most robust digital infrastructure, leading to long queues and server issues. Full Circle`s response? A candid “Thank you, you’ve exceeded our expectations!” – a polite way of saying, “We`re scrambling to make more room!”
Beyond the initial login challenge, San Vansterdam presented a few other unexpected hurdles for its new residents:
- Progression Stalls: Early tutorials and story missions proved to be particularly mischievous. Some players found themselves unable to place the Session Marker during the tutorial (a swiftly fixed issue in update 0.27.7), while others were stranded, unable to take the ferry to San Van after completing introductory tasks. The latter, alongside missing criteria for unlocking key neighborhoods like the Financial and Historic districts, meant some aspiring pros had to find their own ways to “get that XP!” through more challenges.
- Cross-Platform Quirks: In a world designed for seamless digital interaction, crossplay issues cropped up, preventing friends from uniting for a session. Furthermore, those who purchased the Founder`s Pack on a different platform occasionally found their Founder’s Upgrade missing. The workaround involves a quick trip to the skate. Shop and ensuring linked EA accounts – a minor inconvenience, but one that developers are actively looking to resolve.
- Enigmatic Errors and Glitches: From the infamous `endless configuring` errors (now backend fixed) to the rather specific `connection to EA Servers` error: `ERROR 852146987` (a classic for those forgetting to disable their VPN or checking offline modes), the game had its share of mysterious technical roadblocks. Visual hiccups also emerged, such as the replay editor often capturing stuttering or the RIP Card customization flickering.
The Dev Team`s Grinding Session
Amidst these challenges, the team at Full Circle has been relentless. Version 0.27.7 was deployed swiftly, tackling issues like softlocks and the aforementioned configuring errors. They’ve also provided pragmatic workarounds where immediate fixes aren`t yet available, such as changing “Quick Drop Visibility” to avoid being trapped by drop items. Many issues are already slated for resolution in the upcoming Update 0.28, demonstrating a rapid response cycle.
A Note From the Developers (Paraphrased): “We know there are bumps in the road, but your passion fuels our progress. We`re actively investigating the trickiest issues and rolling out fixes as fast as our virtual wheels can spin. Keep shredding, keep reporting, and help us build the ultimate skateboarding experience.”
A Glimpse into the Future of Shredding
While the launch of Skate. has been a mix of exhilarating highs and technical low-sides, it’s crucial to remember this is merely the beginning. The colossal player count underlines the series` enduring appeal, and the dedication of Full Circle to address issues promptly bodes well for its future. As San Vansterdam evolves, refined by player feedback and developer fixes, it promises to become the expansive, fluid, and utterly addictive skateboarding haven fans have craved for so long. The journey to the perfect ollie might have a few unexpected detours, but the destination still looks glorious.
Callum Darby