I have just been poring over the press release from EA regarding the announcement of Skate 3 and have found a few more details.

Whether online or offline, players can now team up to build the ultimate skate crew in the definitive skateboarding co-op experience.

This obviously means that the game will be based around the use of teams. It sounds like you will be able to earn team points and I expect there will be be a massive amount of team based achievements.

We’re giving gamers a very unique experience by providing them with the tools they need to build their ultimate team or to create a team comprised entirely of their online friends.

The franchise also continues to raise the bar for user created content with the skate.Create feature suite, an innovative toolset that empowers gamers to truly express their skate style by creating their own graphics, videos, and skate parks.

Wow! It sounds like we are getting some real tools to create content including a whole skatepark! Imagine being able to get together with your online mates, create a park from scratch, decorate it in your own graffiti and logos and then skate it, invite other teams to compete there, record videos of the competition and post them all online. Amazing!

SKATE 3 features an all-new co-op mode where teammates can complete challenges together while advancing each other’s careers. From rewarding epic bails and fails with a beefed up Hall of Meat mode to honing your craft with the all-new skate.School, players of all skill levels have multiple ways to “kill it” in the game.

Again, this smells of team based achievements that can be awarded on a team basis. So if I am away on holiday and can't skate, my team can still earn points towards completing an achievement whilst I am away. When I come back I jump back in and start helping earn points again.

EA and Black Box have got me stoked again!

Skate 3 comes out in May 2010!

Although EA have had plenty of time to sort it out since Skate 1, their online website system is still really causing me issues.

I made this video to test if I was actually able to upload stuff before buying the Filmer Pack and the 2 most recent sets of downloadable content, the San Van Classics and the Drydek Fantasy pack.

The issues I have with EA's online service are as follows:

• My XBOX Live account is associated with an email address I no longer use or have access to.
• I know my XBOX Live account password and used the same one for the EA skate reel logins and stuff - but it won't recognise the password - therefore I have to get it reset, but I can't get to the email account to get the email about it being reset.
• I have created another account on the EA site using a different email address - and had to have the password reset as it will not recognise any that I have - but after I reset the password and log in - it just says "system error" or some crap like that.
• Xbox gamertag names are case sensetive when you search
• It always pops up with the "what country at you from" window - every bloody time!!! I just X it in the corner to get through otherwise I get dumped somewhere weird.

From memory, I think that I had similar issues with Skate 1 too when trying to use the Skate Reel system. At least now I can get to the videos and images I have uploaded - but can never log into the Graphics Creator though due to these crappy password/username/error message issues.

Pants.

Yet again EA Skate 2 is looking better and better each time one of these videos is released!

This video features a chat regarding Online play in Skate 2 and reveals the following tit-bits of information:

1.  You can start an online "freeskate" session where ever you want.  Pause the game - start the freeskate and find people to skate with.  Sounds cool.
2.  You will be able to create your own "own the spot" areas by dragging items in and setting scores and points.  You can then share your area online for others to download and play.
3.  There will be a "hurt yourself the most" mode where you compete to cause as much damage to your bodies as you hurl yourself off a high ledge into traffic.  This part is a bit Tony Hawk Project 8 for my liking - but could be fun.
4.  There will be the usual "S-K-A-T-E" online battles where you compete to match tricks against other online players.
5.  There will be a mode where you can make a run against another player and then others can vote for who wins based on the best line and tricks rather than the highest score.

Skate 2 looks incredible and is out 21st Jan 2009.

I can't wait!