Helskate's Phantom Coast Sparks Console Controversy

Phantom Coast has announced plans to bring Helskate, their upcoming skateboard action-roguelite game, to consoles. Jordi van den Bussche, CEO of Phantom Coast, also known as the content creator Kwebbelkop, revealed in the Bonuslevel podcast that Helskate is aimed to launch on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch after its initial release. The game, which combines skateboarding with combat and features bonuses through collectible video tapes, is scheduled to spend approximately one to one and a half years in early access on Steam, which could extend by up to fifty percent. Helskate is described as a game where during runs, players perform skateboard tricks and engage in combat, enhancing their abilities with video tape bonuses. The release date for the console versions is not yet confirmed but the game will hit Steam as Early Access on February 15.

While an exact date isn't set, Phantom Coast plans to finish developing Helskate for a full 1.0 release and subsequently launch it on consoles. This process is expected to take about a year to a year and a half following its Early Access release on Steam.

Helskate enters the gaming scene as a unique combination of skateboarding and combat in a roguelite format. It stands out by merging traditional action game elements with skill-based sports mechanics. Players can look forward to a game where progression is made through runs, mastering tricks, and overcoming enemies while making strategic use of collectible items. This genre hybridization reflects a growing trend in the gaming industry, experimenting beyond traditional game boundaries to create novel experiences for players.