Skate’s developer is laying off staff before the game leaves early access

Breaking News: EA’s Full Circle Studio Restructures and Lays Off Staff Just Months After Skate’s Early Access Launch

In a shocking turn of events, Full Circle, the developer behind the highly anticipated new Skate game, has announced a major restructuring that includes layoffs of undisclosed numbers of staff. The news comes as a surprise to many, especially considering that the game, simply titled skate., launched in early access just five months ago on September 15, 2025.

The Restructuring Announcement

Full Circle released a statement explaining the decision, stating, “We’re reshaping Full Circle to better support skate.‘s long-term future.” The studio acknowledged that these changes would impact some roles within the team, emphasizing that the affected employees were “talented colleagues and friends who helped build the foundation of skate.” The statement continued, “Their creativity and dedication are deeply ingrained in what players experience today. This decision is not a reflection of their impact and we’re committed to supporting them through this transition.”

A Studio Born from Legacy

EA originally formed Full Circle in 2021, assembling a team of development talent from the original Skate franchise. The Skate series has long been considered a more realistic alternative to the arcade-style Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games. However, Full Circle has taken the franchise in a notably different direction with the new skate. game.

A Bold New Direction

Unlike previous paid entries in the series that featured both single-player and multiplayer modes, skate. represents a significant departure from tradition. The game is now a free-to-play live-service title supported by microtransactions. This shift to a live-service model was a controversial decision among long-time fans of the franchise, who had been eagerly awaiting a proper sequel to Skate 3.

The Harsh Reality of Live-Service Games

The timing of these layoffs raises questions about the viability of the live-service model in today’s gaming landscape. Recent history has shown just how challenging it can be to launch and maintain a successful live-service game. The spectacular failure of Concord, which shut down just two weeks after its PS5 and PC launch, serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved. Similarly, the ongoing struggles of Highguard Studio, which laid off most of its team just weeks after their game went live, highlight the precarious nature of the industry.

Player Numbers vs. Engagement

Full Circle’s announcement mentioned that “tens of millions” of players have tried the new skate. game. However, there’s a significant difference between players trying a free game and players remaining engaged and spending money on microtransactions. The restructuring could potentially be a response to challenges in maintaining player interest and monetization over time.

Industry Context

This news from Full Circle is part of a larger trend in the gaming industry, where studios are increasingly facing pressure to deliver consistent revenue through live-service models. The shift away from traditional game development to ongoing service-based games has created a volatile environment where success or failure can hinge on post-launch performance and player retention.

Looking Ahead

As the gaming community processes this news, many are left wondering about the future of skate. and what this restructuring means for the game’s development roadmap. Will we see significant changes to the game’s direction? How will this affect the player experience moving forward?

Tags: #Skate #FullCircle #EA #Layoffs #GamingIndustry #LiveService #Restructuring #VideoGames #GamingNews #IndustryTrends

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