The new title, called Skate It, will be compatible with the Balance Board on Wii and use the stylus on DS.
Electronic Arts announced that they are working on a Wii and a DS version of the next game in their popular Skate franchise. Entitled Skate It, the game will have distinct versions developed for the two Nintendo systems. The biggest news from this announcement is that the Wii version will be compatible with the Wii Balance Board which is included in the upcoming release of Wii Fit.
Skate It takes a thematic cue from the original Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 game, taking place in the same fictional locale, San Vanelona. However, Skate It will, according to Executive Producer Scott Blackwood, contain "fresh new designs and gameplay components built from scratch". The Wii and DS versions will use what EA calls "FlickIt" controls via the Wii Remote, Wii Balance Board, or DS Touch Screen. In the Wii version, the Wii Remote is held normally and mimics a skateboard. For example, jumping will simply require a flick of the Wii Remote upwards.
Skate It is currently scheduled for a 2008 release.
GAMERS SKATE BACK INTO ACTION... THIS TIME ON NINTENDO WII AND DS
'Skate It' Delivers Popular Flickit Controls and Introduces Support for Wii Balance Board to Deliver Unique Skateboarding Experience
GUILDFORD, UK. – May 12, 2008 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced Skate It, a new game in the award-winning Skate franchise that taps into the heart and soul of being on a skateboard. Designed exclusively for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ systems, Skate It has Nintendo players riding with the skate pros, owning the best spots in San Vanelona and pulling off the sickest tricks using the popular FlickIt controls. Loaded with all-new gameplay features, Skate It breaks new ground by introducing innovative support for the Wii Balance board which gives players a fresh way to create their own signature skateboarding style.
"We knew it would be an exciting challenge to bring the soul and feel of skateboarding to the Wii and Nintendo DS, " said Scott Blackwood, Executive Producer - Skate franchise. "With fresh new designs and gameplay components built from scratch, we’ve been able to, once again, capture the true experience of skateboarding in a completely innovative way."
Skate It unleashes the FlickIt revolution on to the Nintendo platforms, letting gamers use the Wii remote or the Nintendo DS stylus to string together their best tricks for the ultimate skate line. The Wii remote becomes a skateboard and reacts to gestures that mirror actual skate flips and moves. Players can also deepen this experience by planting their feet on the Wii Balance board. Skate It brings the hit Skate franchise to a new level of creative ingenuity and gameplay excellence.
Skate It will ship in 2008. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB.
