From Server Queues to Belly Flops: The Chaotic Launch of EA’s New Skate Game

The long-awaited, free-to-play reboot of EA’s Skate franchise is finally here, and it has arrived with a thud, a bounce, and a lot of frustration. On its launch into early access on September 16, 2025, the game, which is built on a “massively multiplayer” always-online model, was plagued by server outages and extensive queues, leaving countless players staring at a loading screen with wait times of over an hour. While developer Full Circle is “hard at work adding more servers” to accommodate the overwhelming demand, those who have managed to get past the endless queue have discovered a chaotic, physics-defying world where the most efficient way to get around is not by skating at all. In a series of viral videos, players are showcasing their characters’ bizarre, belly-flopping, and bouncy traversal, which many are comparing to the movement mechanics of a beloved classic: Super Mario 64. This unexpected and hilarious detail has added a new layer of absurdity to a launch that has already been defined by technical issues and a chorus of complaints about its online-only requirement.

The core of the issue lies in the game’s “always-online” requirement, which many in the community have been vocal about since it was first announced. The developers have stated that this is necessary to create a “living, breathing massively multiplayer skateboarding sandbox,” but for many players, it has simply meant a barrier to entry. The server queues have been a major source of frustration for a community that has been waiting over a decade for a new game, and the irony is not lost on them: a game about freedom and expression is being held hostage by its servers. However, the chaos has not been confined to the login screen. Once inside the game, players have been taking to social media to share videos of their characters performing a variety of physics-defying acts. One video shows a player’s character rolling and bouncing across the city without a skateboard, while another shows a character launching themselves off a ramp and using a belly-flop to slide across the ground at incredible speeds. The consensus among the community is that this strange, bouncy traversal is often faster and more efficient than actually skateboarding, which is a hilarious and unexpected consequence of the game’s ambitious, physics-based engine.

The SEO of a Bouncy Bug: High-Value Keywords for a Massively Engaged Audience

The conversation around this discovery is a powerful driver of search traffic, as it taps into a high degree of user curiosity and a sense of “wait, is this real?” The combination of a high-profile game and a completely unexpected, mischievous bug makes this an essential topic to cover. The core of this story is a high-intent search query: “is Skate a good game?”

• Skate Game Belly Flop: This is the most direct and high-intent term, targeting players who are actively looking for information on the game’s bizarre, belly-flopping physics. It is a high-volume, high-CPC (Cost-Per-Click) term.
• Skate Server Queues: The server issues are a major part of the story. This is a crucial keyword for attracting the massive audience that is looking for information on the game’s launch issues and its online-only requirement.
• Skate Mario 64: The comparison to Super Mario 64‘s movement mechanics is a key part of the story’s appeal. This is a valuable keyword for attracting an audience that is interested in a quirky and humorous take on the game.
• Skate Reboot Review: The game’s controversial launch has made its overall reception a major topic of discussion. This keyword is an excellent way to attract a broad audience that is simply looking for a critical opinion of the game.
• Skate Always Online: The always-online requirement is a major point of contention within the community. This is a vital keyword for attracting an audience that is looking for information on the game’s business model and its future content.
• Skate Steam Reviews: The game’s “Mixed” Steam reviews are a key piece of the story. This keyword is excellent for attracting a broad audience that is interested in the game’s overall reception.

A Glimmer of Hope in a Chaotic Launch

While the launch of Skate has been defined by its technical issues, there is still a glimmer of hope. The game’s core gameplay and its physics-based engine have been widely praised by those who have been able to get in. The game’s city, San Vansterdam, has also been praised for its size and its verticality. The game is still in early access, which means there is a chance that the developers can address the technical issues and the bizarre physics glitches. The developers have already been active on social media, communicating with the community and promising fixes. The game’s future is a bright one, but it is one that is contingent on the developers’ ability to fix the issues that have plagued its launch. The game’s unique blend of realism and absurdity is a testament to the developers’ ambition, and for many, the new game is a sign that the golden age of the series is not just a thing of the past but a reality in the present. The journey has only just begun, and for many, the new game is a sign that the series is ready to take on a whole new kind of a journey.

The wait may be long, but for many, the bizarre, belly-flopping chaos of the new game will be worth it.

The game is now available on PC via Steam and the EA App, as well as on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information from official announcements, social media, and community discussions. The experience is subjective and may vary from player to player.