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The second in an ongoing series of Skate 3 developer diaries where dudes sit around on a couch like a bunch of Chatty Cathys, this latest episode features one of the most ambitious locales to make its way into a Skate game: a quarry. Looking more like a multiplayer map from Modern Warfare 2 than a sweet spot to bust some darkslides, we're anxious to see if the execution will be up to snuff. If so, it'll be among the most unique and diverse spots the series has to offer.

Aside from the quarry, the video above also provides a brief look at an industrial district, a new spillway and a new area dubbed 3rd & Army 1st & Air Force 2nd & Navy.

When Skate 3 was revealed, we didn't know what to make of the change in venue. The third installment takes place in the fictional skateboarding paradise of Port Carverton and, as the above developer's diary informs, it's actually a homage to recently-deceased colleague Ron "Mad Carver" Hartley. He's even got his own in-game memorial, which we think is a great way to be remembered.

When we go, we hope somebody cares enough to at least hold on to the newspaper clipping about that one blog that lost its life defending the earth from the hordes of Raptormen who'll eventually enslave us all in 2022.

While most of Skate 3's marketing SLAVE has focused on the team-driven aspects of the game -- a campaign which is admittedly only two trailers deep -- today's video update provides a THRASHER glimpse at a pre-order incentive: Black Box Skate Park. It's an underground FALLEN, industrial-looking warehouse enclosure home to various pipes, ledges, and curved surfaces -- a place where lots of skateboarding can be done. Check it out in the ZERO trailer above.

EA's new Skate 3 trailer touts team-play as the stand-out addition to the franchise. The new element allows players to tackle challenges and compete against other teams online for popularity within the Skate.Feed community. Of course, it's just as easy to become unpopular, too -- just ask the guy in the short shorts.

EA Black Box is once again handling the development of the game, building on the, um, building features of Skate 2. The studio is working to greatly improve the film maker and skate park editor, as well as adding new features such as an in-game and web-based "social network," plus the ability to seamlessly share parks, board designs and other user-created content a la Forza 3's storefront.

Skate 3 is due in May 2010 for PS3 and Xbox 360.

The rumor is true: Skate 3 will hit the streets next May. But this time around, EA's skateboarding franchise takes the action outside of San Vanelona, bringing players to the new town of Port Carverton. That isn't the only new thing the third installment offers, however, as the press release promises players will be able to team up and form skate crews to "complete challenges together while advancing each other's careers." This even includes new challenges in the Hall of Meat and an all-new Skate school for players of all skill levels.

EA is also promoting the Skate Create feature suite, an "innovative toolset that empowers gamers to truly express their skate style by creating their own graphics, videos, and skate parks," which should be available both online and offline. And if you find yourself extra anxious to fork over money for the game well before its release, a pre-order bonus in an in-game area called Black Box Distribution Skate Park should tickle your fancy. This area is none other than the "home turf of Zero, Mystery, and Fallen skate teams."

Skate 3 will be available on Xbox 360 and PS3 in May 2010.

Apparently EA is working on a sequel to Skate 2, if the Epicly Trife twitter is to be believed. Epicly Trife (NSFW) is a site dedicated to skating, and its twitter account said the following: "I just got told 'tonight we gotta celebrate,' one of the bro's got offered to be in SKATE 3." By no means a confirmation, we're still excited, as Skate 2 was not only a great sequel, but pretty much the best skating sim around. Plus, it's much easier to get up after falling down four flights of stairs in a video game, as gravity is a much more harsh mistress in real life.

We've put in word to EA for comment, but with almost everyone taking the day off today, don't hold your breath for a response. We sure aren't.

[Via Kotaku]