Free-to-Play Pricing Meets Free-to-Criticize Community
EA’s free-to-play Skate reboot, currently in early access, has sparked massive controversy over its Dead Space crossover bundle pricing. The Isaac Clarke costume bundle costs 3,350 San Van Bucks – Skate’s premium currency – which translates to a minimum $35 real-world purchase due to awkward currency pack pricing. The bundle includes a cardboard-style Isaac Clarke costume, a themed skateboard, the Necro Stomp emote, several stickers, and cosmetic accessories. While a free USG Ishimura t-shirt is available separately, the $35 entry price for the full bundle has generated outrage across gaming communities.
What makes this particularly galling for fans is the comparison to Skate 3, which featured a high-quality Isaac Clarke skin unlockable via free cheat code 15 years ago. That version featured authentic Dead Space armor with accurate details, while the 2025 version looks deliberately cheap – described by critics as “slop cosplay with cardboard and tape” or “a kid’s Halloween costume made from Home Depot materials.” The intentional aesthetic downgrade combined with the $35 price tag has become a lightning rod for criticism of EA’s monetization practices and the franchise’s current direction.
The Currency Manipulation Adds Insult to Injury
The pricing structure exemplifies predatory free-to-play monetization at its worst. A pack of 2,800 San Van Bucks costs $25, while a 500 San Van Bucks pack costs $5. To purchase the 3,350 San Van Bucks bundle, players must buy both packs for a total of $30, leaving them 50 bucks short. This forces the purchase of another 500 pack for $5, bringing the minimum total to $35 while leaving players with 450 San Van Bucks they didn’t want or need.
This deliberate mismatch between bundle costs and currency pack amounts is a common manipulative tactic in free-to-play games designed to extract more money than advertised prices suggest. Players can never buy exactly what they need – there’s always leftover currency nudging them toward future purchases to “use up” those remaining points. The practice feels especially egregious in a game that’s already charging for early access on top of implementing aggressive microtransactions.
| Item | Cost/Details |
|---|---|
| Isaac Clarke Bundle | 3,350 San Van Bucks |
| 2,800 SVB Pack | $25 |
| 500 SVB Pack | $5 (need two to reach total) |
| Minimum Real Cost | $35 |
| Leftover Currency | 450 San Van Bucks (wasted) |
| Bundle Contents | Cardboard costume, skateboard, emote, stickers, avatar |
| Free Alternative | USG Ishimura t-shirt (separate item) |
Context Makes the Pricing Even Worse
The Dead Space franchise’s current state amplifies community frustration. Despite the critical and commercial success of 2023’s Dead Space remake, EA reportedly shelved plans for a Dead Space 2 remake and any potential Dead Space 4. Developer Motive was reassigned to the Battlefield franchise, leaving Dead Space’s future uncertain. For a beloved horror franchise that defined a generation of survival games, being reduced to a $35 cardboard costume cameo in a skateboarding game feels like a cruel joke.
Price comparisons further highlight the absurdity. The original Dead Space trilogy sells for $20 per game on Steam, with individual titles dropping to $4 during sales. The celebrated 2023 Dead Space remake currently costs $60 but has been available for as little as $12 during promotional periods. Physical copies can be found for around $20 at retailers like Walmart. As multiple fans noted on social media, “You can buy three Dead Space games with that money (and probably three Skate games).”
What $35 Actually Buys You
- Three Dead Space games during Steam sales
- Dead Space remake physical copy with money to spare
- Multiple complete Skate games from previous generations
- Full meals at restaurants
- Substantial progress toward an entirely different AAA game
The Cardboard Aesthetic – Intentional or Insulting
EA and Full Circle (the development studio behind Skate) defend the costume’s appearance as intentional. The cardboard, duct tape aesthetic supposedly fits Skate’s DIY skateboarding culture better than authentic Dead Space armor would. Some suggest it’s meant as a Halloween costume interpretation rather than a faithful recreation, which makes thematic sense given the October release timing.
However, this explanation hasn’t mollified critics. The Skate 3 Isaac Clarke skin – unlockable via free cheat code – featured authentic, detailed armor that looked incredible for 2010 hardware. That version celebrated both franchises appropriately, treating Dead Space’s aesthetic with respect while providing a fun crossover moment. The 2025 version feels cheap by comparison, with players describing it as looking like “something from Firstborn Collective Firebreak” or “a cosplay fail from a Reddit thread.”
The aesthetic disconnect becomes more frustrating when considering execution. If EA wanted a DIY costume vibe, fine – but charge $5-10 accordingly. The combination of deliberately downgraded visuals with premium pricing feels like having your cake and eating it too, asking players to pay flagship prices for intentionally budget aesthetics.
Community Response – Widespread Disgust
Reddit, Twitter/X, and gaming forums exploded with criticism following the bundle’s October 7, 2025 release. A Reddit thread titled “The state of Dead Space” summed up the sentiment: “Let’s hope that one day Dead Space will reach a state as an IP that it isn’t solely relegated to just being a skin in a mediocre always-online game to boost mtx.”
Side-by-side comparisons of the Skate 3 and current Skate Isaac Clarke skins went viral, showing the dramatic quality downgrade from free unlock to $35 purchase. Twitter user SirBlackout posted: “On the left is Isaac Clarke from Dead Space in Skate 3. Model looks incredible and could only be obtained through a cheat code. On the right is an Isaac Clarke outfit in Skate 4. It costs roughly $30-$40 and looks horrible. Idek what to say.”
Even outlets typically sympathetic to free-to-play monetization expressed skepticism. Kotaku’s headline read “Skate’s Charging $35 For A Dead Space Skin That Looks Like A Bad Cosplay Made Outta Junk From Home Depot,” adding “No shade to those making stuff outta materials from the hardware store.” PC Gamer noted “Dead Space returns in the saddest way possible,” acknowledging the franchise’s unfortunate fate as crossover fodder rather than getting proper sequels.
Early Access Monetization – Testing Tolerance
The timing exacerbates frustration. Skate launched into early access in September 2025, meaning players already paid for the privilege of testing an unfinished game. Introducing aggressive $35 cosmetic bundles during this testing phase feels premature and greedy. Early access traditionally implies players and developers collaborate to improve the game, not that developers use testers as guinea pigs for monetization strategies.
Other free-to-play titles like Valorant, Apex Legends, and Fortnite typically price individual skins between $10-25, with bundles offering multiple items for slightly more. Even among free-to-play standards, Skate’s $35 for a single character costume with skateboard and minor accessories feels excessive. The fact that Skate charges for early access and then immediately implements premium cosmetics at inflated prices suggests EA views the community as an ATM rather than partners in development.
Skate Culture vs Corporate Greed
The disconnect between skateboarding culture and EA’s monetization approach couldn’t be starker. Skateboarding thrives on authenticity, DIY ethos, creativity, and rebellion against corporate commodification. The Skate franchise built its reputation by capturing this spirit – emphasizing player expression, realistic physics, and community-created content over flashy commercialization.
A $35 cardboard costume betrays everything the series represents. Skateboarding culture celebrates making amazing things from limited resources – not paying premium prices for deliberately cheap aesthetics. The fact that EA wrapped this pricing in “DIY costume” justification feels like appropriating skate culture’s values to excuse corporate greed. Real skaters making DIY content do it from necessity and creativity, not because they’re charging $35 for the experience.
The Broader EA Monetization Problem
This controversy exists within a larger pattern of aggressive EA monetization that has eroded goodwill for years. From FIFA Ultimate Team’s loot boxes to Battlefield 2042’s specialist system to The Sims 4’s endless DLC packs, EA consistently pushes boundaries on what players will tolerate. Each incident generates backlash, EA issues vague promises about listening to feedback, then the next game implements similar or worse practices.
The difference here is that Skate was supposed to represent EA learning lessons and returning to beloved franchises with respect. Instead, it launched as free-to-play with exactly the monetization concerns fans raised three years ago when the business model was announced. The Dead Space bundle confirms that EA hasn’t learned anything – they’ve simply found new ways to extract money from nostalgic franchises.
What EA Should Have Done
The frustrating part is how easily this could have been handled better. Release the high-quality Skate 3 Isaac Clarke armor as a $10-15 premium skin for hardcore fans who want authentic crossover content. Simultaneously offer the cardboard Halloween costume version for $3-5 as a fun, affordable alternative. Include the skateboard, emote, and stickers as separate purchases or package them reasonably.
This approach respects different player budgets and preferences while acknowledging the franchise’s history. Players who loved the Skate 3 crossover get an updated version that honors that memory. Players who want something silly and seasonal get an affordable option. Instead, EA chose the worst of all worlds – downgraded quality at premium prices that pleases nobody except finance executives.
Will This Change Anything?
Probably not. Gaming history shows that online outrage rarely affects business decisions when whales (players who spend hundreds or thousands on microtransactions) subsidize losses from boycotting majority. If enough players buy the Isaac Clarke bundle despite complaints, EA will interpret that as validation of their pricing strategy regardless of Reddit threads and Twitter posts.
However, this controversy damages Skate’s long-term community health. The franchise depends on passionate skateboarding fans who remember and love the original trilogy. Alienating this core demographic with exploitative monetization risks creating a game that exists purely to extract money from casual players rather than building a sustainable, enthusiastic community. For a niche genre like skateboarding games where community support determines success or failure, burning goodwill over a $35 cosmetic seems remarkably shortsighted.
FAQs
How much does the Dead Space bundle cost in Skate?
The Isaac Clarke bundle costs 3,350 San Van Bucks, which requires spending a minimum of $35 due to currency pack pricing. You must buy a $25 pack (2,800 bucks) and two $5 packs (500 bucks each) to afford it.
What’s included in the Dead Space bundle?
The bundle includes a cardboard-style Isaac Clarke costume, a Dead Space-themed skateboard, the Necro Stomp emote, four stickers (Leaper, The Marker, Stomp, Plasma Cutter), Isaac’s Trunks wheels, and an Isaac Clarke avatar. A separate free USG Ishimura t-shirt is available.
Why does the Isaac Clarke costume look like cardboard?
EA claims the DIY cardboard aesthetic intentionally fits Skate’s skateboarding culture and represents a Halloween costume rather than authentic Dead Space armor. Critics argue this is justification for low-quality work at premium prices.
How does this compare to the Skate 3 Isaac Clarke skin?
Skate 3 featured a high-quality Isaac Clarke skin with authentic Dead Space armor details, unlockable for free via cheat code. The 2025 version costs $35 and looks significantly worse by comparison.
Can you buy the Dead Space remake for less than this costume?
Yes, physical copies of the Dead Space remake currently sell for around $20 at retailers like Walmart, while digital copies have been as low as $12 during sales. The original trilogy games sell for $4-20 each.
Is Skate free-to-play or paid?
Skate is free-to-play but currently in paid early access, meaning players paid upfront to test the unfinished game while EA simultaneously implements premium cosmetic microtransactions.
Will EA change the pricing after this backlash?
Unknown. EA has not responded to criticism as of October 9, 2025. Gaming companies rarely adjust pricing after backlash unless sales fail to meet targets.
What’s happening with the Dead Space franchise?
Despite the successful 2023 Dead Space remake, EA reportedly shelved plans for Dead Space 2 remake and Dead Space 4. Developer Motive was reassigned to Battlefield, leaving the franchise’s future uncertain beyond cameo appearances in other EA games.
Conclusion
EA’s $35 Dead Space cosmetic bundle in Skate represents everything wrong with modern free-to-play monetization – exploitative currency systems designed to extract more money than advertised, premium pricing for deliberately downgraded content, aggressive microtransactions during early access testing, and corporate cynicism wrapped in hollow appeals to community culture. The comparison to Skate 3’s free, high-quality Isaac Clarke skin makes this particularly insulting, showing how far EA has fallen from respecting beloved franchises to treating them as merchandise opportunities. For Dead Space fans watching their franchise reduced to cardboard costume cameos after EA canceled remake sequels and new installments, this bundle adds insult to injury. For Skate fans who hoped the reboot would capture the original trilogy’s authentic skateboarding spirit, seeing the series launch with the exact monetization concerns they raised years ago confirms their worst fears. The fact that $35 buys multiple complete Dead Space or Skate games during sales makes this pricing indefensible on any level beyond pure corporate greed. Whether this controversy affects EA’s long-term strategy remains doubtful – online outrage rarely changes business practices when whales subsidize majority boycotts. But for building genuine community goodwill and respecting franchise legacies, EA has once again chosen the path of short-term profit over long-term relationship building, and both Dead Space and Skate franchises suffer for it.