skate.
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Massively OP Podcast Episode 579: BlizzCon breakdown
The Massively OP Podcast episode 579 breaks down the major announcements from BlizzCon, including World of Warcraft Forever, Wrath Remix, a StarCraft project, Diablo V, and a Warcraft III expansion. The hosts also briefly touch on news from The Lord of the Rings Online, Final Fantasy XIV, and Skate.
Skate Season 5 brings underflips, block parties, and the S.U.M.R. Camp location
Skate's Season 5 update introduces the S.U.M.R. Camp location, new underflip tricks, and block parties. The season features a premium battle pass for early access to the new mega park, with general access starting October 6th. Developer Full Circle also announced changes to legacy skate passes and various gameplay fixes.
skate. Season 5 Takes Things To New Heights With S.U.M.R. Camp
skate. Season 5, titled Big Air Retreat, has launched, introducing a new mountain destination called S.U.M.R. Camp Mega Park, new tricks, revamped progression systems, and enhanced community features. Developed by Full Circle and published by EA, this free-to-play update also adds new social modes like Block Parties supporting up to 150 players and introduces new brands and cosmetics.
Skate Season 5 offers up new underflip tricks and a new big air-focused location September 8
Skate's Season 5 update introduces new underflip tricks, improvements to pumping and footplants, and a new large map called S.U.M.R. Camp Mega Park focused on big air. The season also features a progression overhaul with repeatable bounties, increased mission variety, and a new battle pass with a big air theme. The block party feature will become a permanent addition.
WRUP: Billy Joel was definitely convicted of arson in 1995 and other absolutely true facts edition
The Massively OP community and staff share their weekend gaming plans, with titles like Lord of the Rings Online, Palworld, and Final Fantasy XIV being mentioned. The discussion also touches on uncomfortable office settings and personal work experiences.
Skate is testing out 150-player competitive block party events this weekend
Full Circle is testing 150-player competitive block party events in the early access multiplayer game Skate this weekend. These events will feature objective-based rounds, live leaderboards, and drop-in gameplay without requiring party invites. The developers are conducting this as a technical test to manage large-scale events and encourage social play, acknowledging potential bugs and server issues.
EA CEO Received Over $38 Million in Bonuses Despite Layoffs Due to Battlefield 6’s Success
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received over $38 million in bonuses and stock awards despite recent layoffs, with other executives also receiving substantial compensation. These bonuses were reportedly tied to the success of titles like Battlefield 6 and EA Sports FC, and come as EA is undergoing a $55 billion acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The deal faces potential scrutiny from the US FTC regarding labor markets and job safeguarding.
EA boss got £29,000,000 bonus for Battlefield 6 while the devs were laid off
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received a bonus of nearly $39 million for the 2026 financial year, despite the company laying off employees from studios working on Battlefield 6. This bonus is an increase from the previous year and does not include his base salary. Other executives also received significant bonuses, while games like Battlefield 6, EA Sports FC, and Apex Legends were highlighted for their success, alongside a generative AI strategy.
EA boss awarded $38.6M after year of franchise success, studio layoffs, and GenAI adoption
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received $38.6 million in compensation for the 2026 fiscal year, a significant increase from previous years. The company reported success with franchises like Battlefield 6 and EA Sports FC, alongside the adoption of generative AI. Despite these successes, EA conducted layoffs at Full Circle and its Battlefield division.
After laying of Battlefield 6 devs, EA boss Andrew Wilson's bonus rose $8m to $38m last year, thanks to the game's success across "all milestones"
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received a bonus of $38.7 million for the 2026 financial year, attributed to the success of games like Battlefield 6 and the execution of an AI strategy. This occurred despite significant layoffs across multiple studios during the same period. Other senior executives also received substantial bonuses and stock awards.
Ex-PlayStation Boss Calls For A Return To The Good Old Days Of AA Gaming
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes the current game development model is unsustainable due to ballooning budgets and a lack of diverse titles. He advocates for a return to the 'AA' gaming era of the PlayStation 1 and 2, aiming to create a publishing concern that supports smaller studios and offers more varied experiences for players.
skate. X Games San Vansterdam Released
The X Games San Vansterdam event is now available in skate. as part of Season 4. This content update is accessible on PC via Steam and other consoles. Further details about the event are available.
Morning Multiplex
The Convergence Games Showcase 2026 featured trailers and developer videos for upcoming titles including Graft and Silver Pines. The event also highlighted skate. and Steam Train Fest 2026.
EA vice president of advertising says game ads are a 'huge opportunity', but it 'has to make sense for…
Alexander Dao, EA's vice president of advertising and sponsorship, discussed the company's new advertising platform, highlighting the significant opportunity for in-game ads. He emphasized the importance of integrating advertising thoughtfully from the initial game design phase to ensure it feels native and offers flexibility for brands. Dao also noted the need for standardization in viewability and reporting, while stressing that any advertising must make sense for the specific game, citing a successful collaboration with Coach in The Sims as an example of democratizing access to branded products.
Skate Adds Its Biggest Event Yet: The Legendary X Games
Skate developer Full Circle is introducing the X Games as its biggest in-game event yet, transforming The Stadium location into a virtual X Games venue. This free, limited-time event runs from July 21 to August 25 and features familiar X Games spots like the vert ramp and street park. Players can participate in 10 challenges, complete Club Tasks inspired by pro skaters, and earn X Coins for exclusive merchandise.
Skate’s X Games collab brings new challenges, skate parks, and cosmetics on July 21
Skate's collaboration with X Games launches on July 21st, introducing new challenges, skate parks inspired by real-world X Games locations, and X Games-themed cosmetics. The update also adds a spot battles feature, friend codes, and increases co-op challenge party size to eight players, running through August 25th as part of Season 4.
EA exec says in-game advertising is a "huge opportunity" for devs, especially for games like Skate
Electronic Arts vice president of advertising, Alexander Dao, believes in-game advertising presents a significant opportunity for developers, particularly for free-to-play titles like the upcoming Skate. EA is actively developing its advertising platform, integrating brands into games like Madden NFL and Skate, and Dao encourages developers to design with advertising in mind from the outset to create more native experiences.
"It has to make sense for the game" - EA sees a "huge opportunity" for in-game advertising "but it has to be done properly"
Electronic Arts sees a significant opportunity for in-game advertising, provided it is implemented authentically and makes sense within the game's context. EA's Alexander Dao highlighted sports games as a prime area for replicating real-world advertising experiences, but also noted successful non-sports integrations like Coach-branded items in The Sims 4. The company believes designing advertising experiences early in development, especially for free-to-play titles, will lead to more native and flexible integrations.
EA hit with third round of layoffs this year
Electronic Arts has conducted its third round of layoffs this year, impacting recruitment, customer support, trust and safety, and IT teams. This follows previous staff reductions affecting developers on "Skate" and "Battlefield 6," and comes after EA's acquisition by an investor consortium last September. The company has also shed staff and studios over multiple years, including layoffs at "Apex Legends," Codemasters, BioWare, and the closure of Cliffhanger Games.
EA Reportedly Lays Off More Staff in US and India
Electronic Arts has reportedly conducted another round of layoffs affecting recruitment, customer support, trust and safety, and IT teams in the US and India. This follows previous workforce reductions, including those impacting the Battlefield and Skate development teams. The news comes as EA is reportedly in talks to sell itself to a consortium for $55 billion.