‘Skate.’ to Launch X Games In-Game Collab (Gaming News Roundup)
Electronic Arts' skateboarding game "skate." is launching an in-game collaboration with the X Games, running from 21 July to 25 August 2026. The update will transform the game's virtual stadium with X Games-inspired challenges, allowing players to compete on an authentic X Games League course, and comes amid growing viewership for the newly launched X Games League.
X Games CEO Jeremy Bloom said the tie-in lets millions of players "represent their clubs" and experience the sport's intensity and creativity, while Full Circle's senior creative director Deran Chung said developers worked closely with X Games to translate the real-world competition into the game. The San Van experience begins three days before the XGL Summer League championship in New Orleans, the first event of its kind for X Games, whose league has drawn over 12 million US linear viewers across ESPN and ABC.
In short
- "Skate." adds X Games-themed content from 21 July to 25 August
- Ties in with X Games League's championship event in New Orleans
- X Games League has reached over 12 million US TV viewers
Explained simply
The X Games is an annual extreme sports competition featuring skateboarding, BMX, and other action sports. It has been running for decades and is one of the most prominent platforms for these sports, primarily broadcast on ESPN. The X Games recently launched a professional league called the X Games League, which has attracted millions of viewers.
"Skate." is a video game about skateboarding, published by Electronic Arts and developed by Full Circle. The game allows players to create skateboarders and compete in various skating challenges within a virtual environment. Video games increasingly feature partnerships with professional sports organisations.
The collaboration allows players of the game to engage with X Games-themed content and compete on challenges inspired by the real-world competition. For the X Games League, partnering with a popular video game provides access to millions of potential new fans. Such arrangements between games and sports are becoming more common as both industries seek to expand their audiences.
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