Skater XL News

The DIY Map Editor has been reactivated in the beta branch of the game.

To access this right click Skater XL in your Steam game library then click Properties -> Betas -> Beta Participation -> 'beta - Open Beta'.

To use the DIY Map Editor from within gameplay, push and hold Y / △ for half a second.

Note that the new Tampa Pro 2024 map contains some additional objects which can be used in the DIY Map Editor, and a few props in the map are also movable.

This patch build 1.2.7.8 addresses some gameplay glitches in last week's 'More Freedom With Grabs' update.

These Include:

• Fixed unnatural character lean angles during some grinds and slides in goofy stance.
  
• Fixed incorrect grab tweak angles and speeds in goofy stance.
  
• Fixed incorrect turning animations in goofy stance.
  
• Fixed altered animation blends during flip tricks which resulted in robotic, less detailed foot movement during the scoop & flip of the trick.
  
• Fixed auto-reverts in ramps tagged with both auto-revert and auto-pump.
  
• Fixed occasional excessive speed boost from both auto-pump and manual pump in ramps.
  

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
The ‘more freedom with grabs’ gameplay update is now available on in the public branch on Steam. An expansion of freedom and control in Skater XL’s core gameplay, the update has just been released which makes some changes and additions to the grab mechanic.

Players now have the ability to:

• Grab the board at any time with LB / RB, including while riding, during manuals, grinds, power slides, mid-air, during flip tricks, during pop-outs and more. You can also hold grabs through transitions between these different game states. There are no constraints on when you can grab or when you need to release the grab.
  
  
• Grab the board at any subtle angle you choose based on the angle of the board. There is a unique hand position and pose that will be created for any given board angle. Each hand can grab anywhere around the board including between-the-legs grabs, Seatbelts and Crails.
  
  
• Grab and release the board with either or both hands independently to mix and combine different grabs.
  
  
• Cleaned up and more polished poses and animations from previous PC beta release
  

Much like the original core gameplay, these new abilities are not programmed tricks or canned animations but a series of systems which create movements on the fly based on player input. This puts more creativity, style, and expression in the hands of the player.

Additionally, the update includes the introduction of an in-game news feed that will help streamline the way players stay informed about Skater XL. This new feature will provide regular updates on the latest news, tips, content releases, and more, all conveniently accessible without ever having to leave the game. Now you can stay connected to Skater XL content and keep up with the ever-evolving world of skateboarding right from within the game.

We have also made some improvements to coping grinds, making them smoother and more consistent, giving an overall more enjoyable transition skating experience.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Fire Station Park is now available in Skater XL coinciding with the grand opening of the brand new park in Fort Worth, Texas. The park was made possible by a generous donation from Dickies Skateboarding, and the construction is now complete, making it available in both physical and digital formats.

The park is designed to be accessible to skaters of all skill levels and has a real city plaza feel, offering unique terrain and lines to be discovered. With banks placed generously around the perimeter and ledges galore, the map's diverse terrain provides infinite opportunities for flowing lines and technical skating.

Similar to the physical park, the Skater XL map includes a pump track with grindable corners and unique angles, enabling players to get creative and find new lines. Special thanks go to New Line Skateparks and Dickies for collaborating on this project, and we are stoked to see the footage that players create at this park!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

In a step towards expanding freedom and control in Skater XL’s core gameplay, an update has just been released into public beta on Steam which makes some changes and additions to the grab mechanic.

You now have the ability to:

• Grab the board at any time with LB / RB, including while riding, during manuals, grinds, power slides, mid-air, during flip tricks, during pop-outs and more. You can also hold grabs through transitions between these different game states. There are no constraints on when you can grab or when you need to release the grab.
  
  
• Grab the board at any subtle angle you choose based on the angle of the board. There is a unique hand position and pose that will be created for any given board angle. Each hand can grab anywhere around the board including between-the-legs grabs, Seatbelts and Crails.
  
  
• Grab and release the board with either or both hands independently to mix and combine different grabs.
  

Much like the original core gameplay, these new abilities are not programmed tricks or canned animations but a series of systems which create movements on the fly based on player input. This puts more creativity, style, and expression in the hands of the player.

* Please note that these are incomplete features in early development, containing bugs, rough edges and (some amusing) animation and body pose glitches. Due to the real-time nature of Skater XL’s gameplay and animation approach animation and pose cleanup can be complicated and often make sense to focus on towards the end of the process.

Also, as things progress during public development elements may be added, changed or removed in further builds.

We look forward to seeing what kinds of tricks and lines everyone comes up with!

Coming soon for consoles.

* IMPORTANT: Update features referred to in this post are located in the “Beta” branch of the game on Steam. This is a separate stream of development for us to publicly test early or experimental features in development.

You MUST opt in to play this version of the game by following the steps outlined here:

-In your Steam Library, right click ‘Skater XL’ and open Properties

-Select the ‘Beta' branch.

-Steam should start downloading this version