EA’s skate. to launch in early access on September 16

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA), the $43 billion gaming giant with annual revenues exceeding $7.4 billion, announced Tuesday that its skateboarding game "skate." will launch in early access on September 16 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC platforms. According to InvestingPro data, EA currently trades near its 52-week high, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s strategic initiatives.

The free-to-download game will feature cross-platform play and cross-progression capabilities, according to a company press release. Set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, the game offers four distinct neighborhoods - Hedgemont, Gullcrest, Market Mile and Brickswich - each with unique skateboarding environments. This release comes as EA maintains a robust 79% gross profit margin and demonstrates strong cash flow generation, based on recent financial data.

EA’s Full Circle studio has rebuilt the franchise’s signature Flick-It control system using the Frostbite Engine and added new skateboarding techniques including wallies, slappies and firecrackers. The game also introduces off-board controls allowing players to climb and explore the environment.

"skate. is not just a return, it’s a complete evolution of the franchise that’s built to last," said Mike McCartney, Executive Producer of skate., in the press release.

The multiplayer-focused title will include features such as Quick Drop for placing skateboarding obstacles, various challenges across the map, and a Spectate mode that allows players to watch and join others’ sessions.

During the early access period, EA plans to release seasonal content updates with new challenges, cosmetics, music, and events. The company emphasized that player feedback has guided development and will continue to shape the game’s evolution.

This release marks the franchise’s return after more than a decade since the previous installment. The original "Skate" series gained popularity for its realistic approach to skateboarding controls and physics when it debuted in 2007. With management actively buying back shares and maintaining moderate debt levels, EA appears well-positioned for this strategic launch. For detailed analysis of EA’s financial health and growth prospects, including 12 additional exclusive insights, visit InvestingPro.

In other recent news, Electronic Arts has been in the spotlight following several key developments. Oppenheimer maintained its Outperform rating on Electronic Arts, with a price target of $185.00, after Battlefield 6 set a new franchise record with 92.4 million gameplay hours during its open beta. The firm revised its estimate for beta participants from 5 million to over 20 million players. Additionally, Raymond James reiterated its Market Perform rating on the company, suggesting Battlefield 6 might attract players due to a perceived weak year for Call of Duty.

DA Davidson raised its price target for Electronic Arts to $160.00 from $150.00, maintaining a Neutral rating while expressing increased confidence in the company’s outlook. However, the firm noted potential challenges for the remainder of the year. In corporate governance news, Electronic Arts announced amendments to its Change in Control Severance Plan, including a provision for a pro rata bonus upon employment termination. The company also reported the results of its annual meeting, where shareholders elected several directors with a majority of votes cast in favor.

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