In a rare convergence of AAA video game licensing and viral internet culture, publisher Electronic Arts and developer Full Circle have officially integrated a widely circulated community meme into the soundtrack of the latest installment of the Skate franchise.
Rather than featuring Pearl Jam's 1991 grunge anthem "Even Flow" as a standard track in the game's default rotation, developers have hid the multi-platinum single behind an interactive Easter egg that directly pays homage to the viral "Steezus Christ" meme.
From 'Steezus Christ' Brainrot to Official License
The inclusion stems from a long-running social media trend that originated in late 2022 across TikTok and YouTube. Players utilized Skate 3’s character creator to design a skater resembling Jesus—complete with flowing hair, a beard, and traditional robes—and filmed clips pulling off mega-ramp tricks.
Dubbed "Steezus Christ" by the community, the clips almost exclusively depicted players holding an extended Christ Air grab while soundtracked by the recognizable opening guitar riff of Pearl Jam's "Even Flow". Over four years, videos using the format generated tens of millions of views, turning a 35-year-old rock catalog track into an enduring running joke among younger gamers.
To trigger the track in the new Skate title, players must replicate the meme mechanics within the game:
- Equipping the Gear: Players equip the in-game "Steezus" cosmetic t-shirt or bundle item available in the digital shop.
- Replicating the Trick: Located within the S.U.M.R. Camp map zone, players must execute a Christ Air trick off high-altitude launch ramps for a specific distance or airtime duration.
- Unlocking the Track: Once performed correctly, "Even Flow" immediately cuts in over the environmental audio. Completing the sequence permanently unlocks the full song in the player's in-game audio menu.
A New Benchmark for Community-Driven Sync Licensing
While video game soundtracks have historically relied on traditional A&R curations, the inclusion of "Even Flow" highlights how publishers are increasingly leveraging community-generated content to dictate sync licensing decisions.
Acquiring the commercial rights to a major catalog track from a group like Pearl Jam typically carries significant clearance costs. By tying the sync directly to an in-game secret, Full Circle bridges legacy rock publishing with contemporary gaming fandom.
"It’s a masterclass in listening to your player base," music supervision analysts noted following the discovery. "Taking an unscripted, user-generated meme from a decade-old game and officially clearing the rights to make it a playable reward shows how organic internet culture is reshaping interactive music placement."
The track now sits permanently alongside the game's broader soundtrack lineup, offering a direct bridge between 90s alternative rock catalog and modern digital meme culture.
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