Electronic Arts has today unveiled the first five PS3 screenshots from forthcoming skateboarding game Skate 3. According to EA, the game is groundbreaking in the way in which it incorporates the camaraderie of being in a real-life skateboarding crew. In this latest instalment in the series, players will have the chance to band together, both on- and off-line, with the aim of forming the ultimate skate crew. The game will also feature team-based challenges and the opportunity to battle rival crews, as well as giving you the chance to fully explore the all-new city of Port Carverton, so splendidly depicted in these hot-off- the-press screenshots.

“The social and community aspects of the Skate franchise are something we’ve always embraced, but we’ve never done anything to the scale you’re going to see in Skate 3,” said senior producer, Jason DeLong. “We’re giving gamers a very unique experience by providing them with the tools they need to build their ultimate team or to create a team comprised entirely of their online friends. From there, it’s all about proving yourself – teaming up, and throwing down.”

Fans who pre-order the game will receive an unlock code granting them exclusive access to the legendary Black Box Distribution Skate Park, the stomping ground of the Zero, Mystery and Fallen skate teams. Skate 3 is due to be released on PS3 in May 2010.