Since the success of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2, Activision has confirmed the third and fourth games will be getting their remake treatment. On Mar. 4th, the official Tony Hawk Pro Skater YouTube channel released a trailer on the project’s development. This time, the franchise is under the hands of game developer Iron Galaxy.
The Vicarious Visions-Blizzard Merge
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 was originally planned in 2021 with Vicarious Visions. However, the project was soon dropped when the studio’s head, Jen Oneal was elected as Blizzard’s next executive vice president. Their name changed to Blizzard Albany on April 12, 2022. Skate legend Tony Hawk explained the situation on Twitch about Vicarious Visions’ company merge. WCCF Tech has archived the following statement to the fans:
“I wish I could say we got something in the works, but Vicarious Visions kind of got disbanded. Activision is going through other stuff, so I don’t know what’s next. […] Even up to the release of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2, we planned 3+4.
Then Vicarious got absorbed and they were looking into other developers and it was over. Activision tried to find people who would do 3+4 but they didn’t really trust them in the way they did with Vicarious. They took other pitches from other studios and they didn’t like anything they heard. That was it.”
Enter Iron Galaxy
Shocked to see Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4’s trailer on YouTube, the gamer community wondered who was leading the development. Activision has entrusted Iron Galaxy, the developers responsible for The Last of Us Part 1 & Part II PC ports. Other games they have assisted in development include Overwatch, 7 Days to Die, and Killer Instinct (2013). The team has already integrated improvements and bonus content into the remake.
Crossplay Multiplayer is Included
When Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2 launched, online multiplayer was restricted to the player’s console of choice (PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC). This choice forced players to purchase a new console to play with friends. It became bearable if you intended to plan local multiplayer parties. Iron Galazy told Playstation.Blog that 3+4 will include cross-platform support to have every skate together.
Who’s Skating in THPS 3+4?
A couple of skaters from the original games have agreed to return for the next remake project. Joining Tony Hawk are:
- Bucky Lasek
- Steve Caballero
- Kareen Campbell
- Geoff Rowley
- Andrew Reynolds
- Elissa Steamer
- Chad Muska
- Eric Koston
- Rodney Mullen
- Jamie Thomas
- Rune Gilfberg
- Bob Burnquist
CKY and former Jackass member Bam Margera who made his skater debut in the original Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 will be absent. The next-generation skaters added in 3+4 are Rayassa Leal, Chloe Covell, Jamie Foy, Zion Wright, and Yuto Horigome. They give insight into new tricks and skating styles if you plan to create your custom skater.
New Parks, Tracks, and New Game+
Like its predecessor, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 will include additional content in the remakes. Iron Galaxy decided to offer players a New Game+ after they finish 3+4’s Career mode. Players will keep their skater stats from the first playthrough and test their skills in every park. Only the Waterpark has been revealed as the newest park for skaters to explore the Mojave Desert’s abandoned venue.
The remake’s soundtrack will also be updated with new song tracks. Back in 2021, Bam’s brother and CKY drummer, Jess hinted about 3+4’s remake on Behind Closed Doors’ podcast. CKY’s involvement is now confirmed with their single,”96 Quite Bitter Beings” which can be heard in the trailer. Motörhead, Gang Starr, and Adolescents collaborated to add their music as well.
THPS 3+4 Will Release in 3 Editions
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 is planned to release this year on July 11th for Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. However, there is a way to play the game on July 8th depending on the game edition you pre-order. All versions will offer the pre-order bonus of the Foundry Demo and a Wireframe Tony Hawk.
- Standard (Cross-Gen) Edition: Can only be played the full game on launch day (July 11th).
- Digital Deluxe Edition: Can be played on July 8th. Players will have Doom Slayer and the Revenant as playable skaters, 2 secret tricks, an Unmakyr Hoverboard skate deck, and exclusive Create-a-Skater and Doom items.
- Collector’s Edition: Can be played on July 8th and is only available in physical. Comes with a limited-edition Birdhouse deck and includes everything from Digital Deluxe Edition.
