Full Circle, the development team behind the skateboarding game Skate, has issued a statement addressing the popularity of an unofficial modding platform called ReSkate. The mod, which has gained significant traction, offers features such as community-run servers, custom maps, character skins, and importantly, the ability to play the free-to-play game offline through Steam. The developers have voiced their preference for players to remain within the game's official, always-online ecosystem.
In a statement released via social media, Full Circle acknowledged the importance of community and creative expression within skateboarding culture. However, they drew a line at mods that facilitate the unlocking of paid cosmetics, the release of unreleased content, or profit generation from unauthorized assets. Such actions, the studio explained, "rips off artists, skate brands, and creators, as well as our own development team here at Full Circle, who work hard to bring skate culture into our game."
The free-to-play model of Skate, which launched in early access, has faced challenges with player retention. This has led to studio restructuring in February. The resurgence of interest in Skate, now fueled by the ReSkate mod, presents a potential threat to its monetization strategy.
ReSkate, described as an open-source project, has reportedly garnered over 350,000 downloads and is playable via Steam's Proton emulation. The mod's developers have stated they do not intend to undermine Full Circle's operations, with one co-creator noting, "For me the game is free to play and they need to make money somehow to be able to keep developing the game. We were just doing it for the love of the game." They also indicated a willingness not to contest any legal action from EA.
Full Circle stated they are actively working on adding official, secure tools to enable "broader, deeper community creation." While the developers have not explicitly announced plans to shut down ReSkate, they are appealing to players to support the game's official environment. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between developer monetization models and player-driven modding communities, especially in the current landscape where AI-driven modding tools are becoming more prevalent.