Newcomer

4 days ago

Next-Gen Skate. Gameplay & Progression Discussion

Introduction

Creating a game like this takes an incredible amount of work from fine-tuning physics and progression systems to building realistic environments and dynamic gameplay. Every detail, every trick, and every patch plays a role in shaping an experience that feels immersive, rewarding, and unforgettable. I believe that all this effort will be worth it, delivering a game that players will not only enjoy but also want to master and share with others. My name is AJ, and as a Software Engineer, I’d like to share some ideas that could take Skate. to the next level. Thank you for your hard work.

Gameplay & Graphic UI/UX Ideas

I enjoy playing this game because its gameplay immediately reminds me of Skate 2, with fluid, highly realistic skating that makes every trick feel responsive and satisfying. The combination of on-board tricks, manuals, grinds, and flips, paired with smooth off-board parkour and climbing, creates a seamless flow across rooftops, streets, alleys, and other urban environments. Players can discover hidden lines, challenging gaps, and creative paths while maintaining momentum, making exploration both rewarding and skill-driven. Classic features like Hall of Meat, collectibles, and customizable gear add nostalgia, while optional systems such as combat or freerunning across buildings provide extra depth for those who want it. With dynamic environments, including changing obstacles and construction zones, the city feels alive, ensuring every session remains engaging and unpredictable.

The game leans heavily into realistic visuals, similar in quality to Star Wars Battlefront 2, which other players would appreciate for its immersive detail and polish. With detailed textures, lifelike lighting, accurate clothing and board physics, and subtle environmental effects, the world feels authentic. Combined with already impressive physics, this realism makes every grind, jump, and trick feel impactful, fully immersing players in the city’s streets, rooftops, and skateable spots.

🛹 Gameplay & Settings

Core Gameplay Loop

◦ On-Board / Off-Board Skills – Upgradeable attributes and patches affecting skating, parkour, and mid-air glide control.

Explorable Buildings & Urban Interaction

◦ Accessible Buildings – Players can enter shops, malls, apartments, and other city buildings for skating, challenges, or collectibles and free roam.

◦ Security Alerts – Entering certain areas triggers NPC security; players must evade, escape, or navigate around them.

◦ Construction Sites – Dynamic construction zones like buildings and others to create vertical playgrounds for tricks, parkour, and risky jumps. These areas are constantly changing to keep the live world fresh.

◦ Hall of Meat – Track wipeouts, bails, and spectacular crashes with score and replay value, especially in challenging areas like rooftops or construction zones.

Classic Skate Features

◦ Mall & Shops – Purchase clothing, boards, and gear with in-game currency.

◦ Challenges & Collectibles – Hidden skate spots, trick lines, and collectibles in buildings encourage exploration.

Live/Online Features

◦ Dynamic sessions with friends, live events, and competitions.

◦ Mini-Map & 3D Buildings – Navigate rooftops, streets, and see friend locations.

◦ Dynamic Weather & Time-of-Day – Rain, night/day, fog, and other conditions affect visibility and physics.

◦ XP & Patches System – Progression through leveling, attribute points, and patch unlocks.

Monetization Ideas

While Skate 4 already has a solid monetization system focused on cosmetics and seasonal battle passes, there are several areas that could further enhance player engagement and personalization. Introducing more diverse cosmetic options, such as custom animations, unique trick effects, and branded gear, would give players additional ways to express their style. Limited-time events or collaborations with real-world skate brands could provide exclusive rewards and challenges, encouraging frequent play. A player-driven economy allowing the trade or sale of cosmetic items could create a dynamic in-game marketplace, while enhanced progression rewards tied to milestones or achievements would incentivize long-term dedication. These additions would build on the existing system, offering deeper personalization and more engaging ways for players to interact with the game’s world.

Expanded Cosmetic Categories:

Introducing more diverse cosmetic items, such as custom animations, unique trick effects, or branded gear, could provide players with more personalization options.

Limited-Time Events and Collaborations:

Hosting special events or collaborations with real-world skate brands could offer exclusive cosmetics and challenges, increasing player engagement.

Player-Driven Economy:

Implementing a system where players can trade or sell cosmetic items among themselves could create a dynamic in-game economy.

Enhanced Progression Rewards:

Offering unique cosmetic items as rewards for completing specific milestones or achievements could incentivize long-term play.

Progression System Ideas

The Progression System is designed to give players a sense of growth and mastery as they skate both on and off the board. Players earn Experience Points (XP) by completing tricks, chaining combos, exploring the environment, participating in challenges, and interacting with live events. XP allows players to allocate Attribute Points (AP) across a variety of skill categories, including Board Control, Trick Mastery, and Flow Mastery for on-board performance, as well as Physical, Technical, and Combat (Optional) skills for off-board movement and interaction.

Additionally, players can unlock Patches (similar to badges) that provide permanent or situational bonuses, enhancing specific skills or playstyles. This system encourages players to experiment with different builds, specialize in certain skills, and progress at their own pace, while also offering visible rewards and goals to keep gameplay engaging over time.

On-Board Attributes

◦ Trick Mastery

▪ Balance – Stability during manuals, grinds, and landings.

▪ Flip – Precision and execution of flip tricks.

▪ Grind – Lock-in accuracy, grind length, smoother exits.

▪ Landing Stability – Clean recoveries from drops and tough tricks; reduces bails.

Flow Mastery

◦ Board Handling – mid-air control, flips, grabs, grinds.

◦ Speed with Board – Acceleration and push power on the board.

◦ Trick Precision – Accuracy of landings, alignments, and overall trick placement.

Off-Board Attributes

◦ Technical

▪ Parkour – Vaulting, wall hops, climbing ledges, hopping obstacles.

▪ Spot Reading – Reading ledges, rails, stairs, and gaps to plan tricks.

▪ Approach Timing – Hitting obstacles at the right speed/angle.

▪ Board Control Off-Board – Picking up, positioning, and controlling the board.

▪ Precision Jumping – Accuracy jumping between ledges, stairs, or rooftops.

▪ Glide Handling – Mid-air maneuvering and hang-time adjustments while leaping; determines how well the skater can adjust body positioning for safe landings or reaching further distances.

◦ Combat (Optional)

▪ Punching / Striking – Power and speed when hitting opponents or objects.

▪ Blocking / Parrying – Ability to defend against attacks or collisions.

▪ Grapple / Grab Control – Skill in grabbing, pushing, or throwing objects/players.

▪ Balance in Contact – Maintaining stability during shoves, impacts, or fights.

▪ Reaction Time – Quickly responding to threats or opponents in close encounters.

Physical

◦ Speed - Movement speed off the board.

◦ Agility - Quickness in sprints, cuts, and directional changes on foot.

◦ Strength - Power for climbing and faster, vaulting, and holding momentum on obstacles.

◦ Vertical - Jump height while sprinting; determines how far/high the skater can leap across gaps, rooftops, or obstacles.

Patches (Perks System)

🛠️ How Patches Work

Patches are special perks that boost gameplay beyond raw attributes. They represent a skater’s style, skill, and reputation, and they stack with attributes to make each build feel unique.

Unlocking: Patches are earned by completing milestones, like landing a set number of tricks, skating specific spots, winning online sessions, or exploring hidden areas.
Equipping: Players can slot a limited number of patches (e.g., 4–6 active) or for each Season since it is a Live Service Game. This forces strategy in customizing their skater.
Progression: Patches level up through usage. For example, the more grinds you land cleanly, the faster your Rail Magnet patch climbs from Common → Rare → Exotic → Mythic.
Patch Tiers

◦ Bronze – Grom Beginner skaters still learning the basics. Patches here give small boosts that help with consistency.

◦ Silver – Shredder Intermediate skaters who can hold their own at the park or street. Patches add noticeable upgrades in control and flow.

◦ Gold – Stylist Known for clean tricks and creative lines. These patches give high-impact boosts with flair that stand out.

◦ Purple – Legend A name recognized across the community. Patches here provide unique effects that define advanced playstyles.

◦ Red – Mythic Once-in-a-generation status, like a skate icon whose influence is untouchable. Patches are game-changing, representing the absolute peak of progression.

This tier system makes progression organic and skill-driven instead of just grinding generic XP, you’re rewarded for skating your way.