This past week, a leaker claiming to be part of an ongoing Skate 4 playtest shared a variety of information that was supposed to be kept under wraps. The Skate 4 leak included a first look at the skateboarding game's map, mission types, fast travel, multiplayer, and more. It seems that Electronic Arts caught up with the leaker, however, and banned their account in the process. That leaker is now back, vindictive, with over 15 minutes of gameplay footage recorded from Skate 4's playtest.In a now-deleted Reddit thread from user /u/Parzalai, they claim that EA banned them, and so they decided to share a full video breaking down all mechanics in the game thus far. The video starts with a note that this isn't from the "current" playtest, but further clarification isn't provided. Following that, a lengthy introduction video EA made just for the playtest is shown. It describes Skate 4's setting, Fun City, as a "persistent, massively multiplayer social hangout," and then recommends players use "Specta Port" to instantly travel to interesting places.Next in the video is the Skate 4 playtest's four different game modes, Skate and Do Challenges, Explore and Sightsee, Build and Get Creative, and Hang Out and Meet Friends. These options lead players to different areas of the map where they can try the game's different features. The first is for skateboarding, doing tricks, and completing objectives. The second lets players fast travel using Bus Stops for exploration. Building is self-explanatory, allowing players to create skate parks in the open world. Lastly, players can spectate others and fast travel to them, socialize, and share photos and videos in Fun City's feed.
The next several minutes are spent introducing general movement features of the Skate 4 playtest. This includes not just a full list of in-game skate moves, but also how climbing, running, emotes, acrobatics like rolling, sliding, and flips. Then comes an extended look at in-game skateboarding moves and objectives. These objectives are broken into Own the Spot, Big Jump, and Checkpoint Race groupings.
A section on Skate 4's settings includes looks at editing videos, so players can cinematically record their tricks and shenanigans. There is also a range of diverse control options to help players skate and play the way they want, like with auto-wall-running or simple ollie execution. If all the playtest's content is carried over to the main game, Skate 4 players will have an incredible amount of customization at their fingertips.
The multiplayer aspects of the playtest were inaccessible to the leaker, so unfortunately all the social content was unavailable. Obviously, the multiplayer is what's going to be seen as Skate 4's biggest selling feature, but it's interesting to get a look at the game at a more mechanical level. Odds are Skate fans will see a lot more of the new game in the months to come as EA continues to hold additional playtests.
Skate 4 is currently in development.