Skatex

SkateX is a free-to-play, extreme-sports massively multiplayer online (MMO) video game in which players own their skateboards and other gear as non-fungible tokens on the Solana blockchain. The game is the debut title of Block Tackle, Inc., a San Francisco-based game studio founded by Ben Topkins and Rob Oshima. In-game activities described by sources include missions, challenges and performing tricks, with boards and streetwear usable inside the game and, according to project materials, in other Solana-based applications.

Alongside the game, SkateX operates an NFT staking program. Holders lock SkateX NFTs in time-limited staking pools (hosted via the Cardinal Protocol, with pools linked from skatex.io/staking) to accrue GRIND (GRND), an SPL token positioned as the project's in-game and utility token used for NFT mints and other utilities. Pools rotate with varying eligibility rules based on attributes such as board collection, type or rarity, and some award "mystery drop" airdrops including additional NFTs and whitelist ("skatelist") spots. Staked NFTs remain in the holder's Solana wallet, can still be used in the game, and can be unstaked at any time.

A separate SKATE token is described by a DApp listing as having had a token generation event and exchange listings in June 2025.

Founding story

Block Tackle was co-founded by Ben Topkins and Rob Oshima, who met while working at mobile gaming company Kabam and later built NERF Strike on Roblox. Sources state that while working on free-to-play mobile titles such as Kingdoms of Camelot, the founders observed that players invested substantial time and money into games without acquiring assets they could sell or carry into other games, which motivated a blockchain-based ownership model. The studio announced its official launch in March 2022 alongside its seed round.

Business model

The studio develops blockchain-based games in which players purchase and own in-game items as NFTs, with a free-to-play game layer and token-based utility (GRIND) tied to NFT ownership and staking.

Traction

The team behind Block Tackle previously built NERF Strike on Roblox, cited with more than 30 million plays, over 10 million players and an 84% positive rating. A DApp listing reports a June 2025 SKATE token generation event, exchange listings, and roughly $14.85M in 24-hour trading volume as of July 2025.

Latest developments

A DApp listing reports that the SKATE token generation event occurred on 9 June 2025 with listings on Binance (Alpha platform and Binance Futures) and Bybit, an accompanying 24-hour airdrop claim window, a SKATEUSDT perpetual contract with up to 50x leverage, and the introduction of a "Skatepark" cross-chain ecosystem hub.