Skateboarding games rarely feel simple once you’re on the board. With skate. now available in early access as a free download, there’s a lot to take in—from a constantly evolving city to a control scheme that rewards finesse. If you’re just dropping in, these practical tips will help you land tricks more consistently, move around San Vansterdam with less friction, and unlock cosmetics without opening your wallet.

Note: skate. is live as an early access, free-to-play release. You can grab the game from the official product page, and read the studio’s early access plan in the team’s recent dev update:

1) Set up your controls and flick sensitivity first

Skate’s learning curve starts in the settings. The game offers three control presets that change how you flick, spin, and handle core mechanics, plus adjustable sensitivities for how responsive those inputs feel. The fastest way to steady your trick consistency is to pick a preset and immediately tune flick sensitivity until your kickflips and shuv-its leave the deck at the speed you intended—slow flicks for floaty, held rotations, fast flicks for snap.

Plan on returning to this menu after a couple of hours. As you settle on a playstyle (street lines, bowls and vert, stair sets), the “right” sensitivity becomes obvious—usually the point where you stop over- or under-rotating and your muscle memory starts to stick.

Tip: reduce camera shake and tweak vibration to your preference while you’re here. Clearer visual feedback makes it easier to spot when you’re late on a catch or entering a grind at a bad angle.

2) Bank Rip Chips, spend them on neighborhood boxes

Skate’s economy uses two currencies:

  • Rip Chips: earned through gameplay (challenge goals, exploration)
  • San Van Bucks: premium currency purchased with real money

Rip Chips unlock cosmetics via neighborhood-labeled boxes in the in-game shop; higher-tier boxes cost more Chips but have better odds for rarer items. The loop is straightforward: complete challenge goals in a district of San Vansterdam, earn Rip Chips, then open that district’s box for gear. It’s currently the only progression path that doesn’t require cash, so check the shop after you clear a set of challenges so Chips don’t sit idle.

If you choose to buy premium currency, San Van Bucks are offered in tiered bundles (from a small starter pack up to a large 12,000 SVB bundle). Cosmetic bundles in the store cost the most; individual items like decks or apparel are cheaper. None of this alters performance—the benefit is purely look and expression.

3) Use session markers like a training remote

Session markers are the fastest way to grind the repetition you need for consistency. Plant a marker at the start of a line—on top of a ramp, before a stair set, or just ahead of a ledge—then attempt your trick combo. If you bail or don’t like the line, teleport back to the marker and try again. On a controller, hold the D-pad up to set one and use the corresponding respawn input to return.

Two smart uses:

  • Fine-tuning: set a marker before a spot to perfect the flip speed and catch timing for a specific gap.
  • Flow practice: place markers at the start of multi-spot runs and drill them until your entries feel automatic.

Tip: replace markers often. A slight shift in starting angle or speed can smooth out a stubborn approach.

4) Unlock fast travel early so the city opens up

San Vansterdam is big, and pushing across town can kill the urge to attempt “one more” mission. Fast travel points—often at bus stops and other hubs—unlock as you level up and visit new neighborhoods. It’s worth making a short scouting circuit through each district early to light up the quick hops you’ll rely on later, especially when mission objectives or good practice spots are far apart.

Prefer to cruise? Great—fast travel doesn’t replace your board. It’s a time-saver when you’re chasing a specific challenge or meeting up with friends across the map.

5) Treat parkour as part of the line

Skate’s on-foot movement isn’t just filler—it’s how you reach unique drops and sketchy run-ups that aren’t practical to roll into. The city includes set parkour routes, but you can climb most objects and facades to stage a better entry: stair-roof-ramp, wall-run to ledge, ladder to launch. If a run feels awkward, hop off your board, reposition using a climb, and drop back in where the line makes sense.

Tip: add a short run-up after a climb so you have enough speed to clear the first gap in your sequence.

6) Keep the Skatepedia open while you learn

The in-game Skatepedia is a faster reference than memory. From the main menu, you’ll find a full trick list spanning flick tricks, grinds, grabs, and off-board movement, plus a glossary for terminology that pops up in challenges. When you see a trick requirement that doesn’t immediately click—late flips, specialty grinds, grab combos—look it up, try it next to a session marker, and lock it in before moving on.

As early access evolves, expect the move list and examples to expand alongside new mechanics.

7) Run missions for progression, unlocks, and reps

Even in early access, missions do useful work. They feed you new mechanics at a reasonable pace, hand out Rip Chips and reputation, and naturally pull you into fresh neighborhoods—often unlocking fast travel points along the way. You’ll usually have at least one mission available; if you’re stuck on a specific objective, pivot to another mission or district, then return once your inputs feel steadier.

Tip: if a challenge demands a precise trick or awkward approach, drop a session marker and break it into pieces. Nail the entry first, then add the flip, then the grind, then the revert.

A few quality-of-life habits worth adopting

  • Rebind or adjust just one setting at a time. If something starts to feel “off,” you’ll know what to revert.
  • Practice both slow-flick and fast-flick versions of core tricks. Being able to hold a rotation for style or snap one quickly helps thread tight lines.
  • When hunting cosmetics without spending, focus your challenge runs in one neighborhood so your Rip Chips go back into the matching box.

What to expect as early access continues

Full Circle says early access will add modes, tricks, and quality-of-life features over time. The studio also describes San Vansterdam as an evolving city with multiple neighborhoods and changing spots. Keep an eye on the San Vansterdam page and the team’s updates for new areas, challenges, and systems as they come online.

skate. San Vansterdam
Explore San Vansterdam
The skate.™ logo

The core loop right now is about repetition and exploration: stabilize your inputs, loop lines with session markers, and use missions to push into new districts. Do that, and the crashes come less often—while your clips start to look the way you pictured them.