Skate 2 – First Trailer and Information

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EA Blackbox has started to roll brand new information about upcoming board sim, Skate 2.

Skate 2 introduces a bunch of new moves and features, such as allowing you to step off the board for on-foot navigation. Not just a handy way to step up curves and find sweet starting spots, creative skaters can drag objects such as benches and mailboxes to create a stage for their perfect run.

The game adds two much demanded staples of the skateboarding world; Hippie Flips and Handplants. The former (letting your board sail under a rail as you hop over it) was achieved in the original Skate by some persistent exploiters, but will be a whole lot easier in the sequel as you hold both A and X to take both feet off the board.

Hand, foot and other limb plants are also achievable with the bumpers, which let you grab the environment. Once you are holding your invert, you can take your feet off the board or use the right stick to tweak your position. Adding tricks to almost every button on the controller will surely deviate from Skate’s simplistic beauty, but will no doubt appease fans eager for new moves.

Those lucky enough to see and play the game at an EA event in San Francisco praised the updated visuals, commenting on vivid colours, stunning lighting and new aesthetic choices across the city such as woody hills and a waterfront. The developers also noted the game is running at a smooth 60 frames per second.

Skate 2 takes place after an earthquake (which you can witness in DS and Wii “Skate It”) and features a newly rebuilt San Vanelona. The game will be released on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 in November, 2008.