Can a 2000s Trend Resurge with a New Skate Release?

EA is gearing up to bring the beloved Skate series back into the spotlight, much to the thrill of devoted fans who have been waiting for over 15 years since the iconic Skate 3. The buzz around the upcoming game, cleverly titled skate., is undeniable, although EA hasn’t pinned down an exact release date yet. However, they’ve started inviting players to participate in playtests as it gets ready to roll out in early access.

In the realm of skateboarding video games, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater has long reigned supreme. That said, Skate carved out its own niche with innovative gameplay. Early glimpses of the new Skate suggest a thrilling ride for fans, but more importantly, it might just reignite interest in the extreme sports genre that has seen better days.

The introduction of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater back in 1999 helped popularize extreme sports games in the gaming world. At the time, it, along with games like 1080 Snowboarding and Thrasher: Skate and Destroy, laid the foundation for a golden age of extreme sports games in the early 2000s. Titles focused on snowboarding, skateboarding, racing, and surfing eventually faded from the mainstream, overshadowed by more traditional sports games.

EA’s latest vision for Skate takes a groundbreaking leap by going free-to-play, a first for the franchise. If this new rendition succeeds, it could lead to a resurgence, not only reviving past favorites but maybe even inspiring fresh entries within the genre. Just imagine a renaissance for skating games, echoing their former glory.

Intriguingly, last year, Tony Hawk himself hinted at a partnership with Activision for a secretive project. Although details are scarce, there’s a chance that we could see a revival of skating games. Combine that with Skate’s upcoming early access, and fans of the genre may soon have plenty to cheer about.

Traditionally, football, basketball, and soccer titles have dominated the sports segment of gaming. However, with Skate making waves, there’s hope that extreme sports could reclaim some of the spotlight. Other titles from the 2000s like Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer, Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX, and Burnout could see renewed interest or inspire new takes on the genre.

Gaming has evolved significantly since the early 2000s, yet it’s often the trends from the past that circle back into popularity. Skate culture was a defining aspect of early gaming, and its possible revival with Skate’s fresh take could captivate both nostalgic gamers and new fans alike. As we edge closer to seeing what Skate has to offer with its cutting-edge mechanics, the anticipation is palpable.

Although the genre has been quieter in recent years, titles like Skate might just encourage other big names to follow the lead and reignite the genre’s vibrant past. The coming months could very well usher in a resurgence of extreme sports games, sparking the kind of excitement not seen since the turn of the millennium.