2025 Could Be a Huge Year for Skateboarding Fans

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2025 Could Be a Huge Year for Skateboarding Fans

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the upcoming year of 2025 could very well be the golden age for skateboarding games. The revival of both Skate and Tony Hawk franchises has me more stoked than a pro skater on a halfpipe.

It appears that the skateboarding games from the original Skate trilogy, which were once everywhere, have fallen out of favor with time. While there have been independent projects like Session Skate Sim and Skater XL, the time of grandiose, professionally endorsed, exaggerated virtual skating experiences seems to be stuck in the past. This is particularly true now that Electronic Arts (EA) and Activision, publishers of Skate and Tony Hawk respectively, have moved their focus elsewhere.

However, things might be shifting rather quickly, given the upcoming release of a fresh skate game, which suggests a revival of interest in this genre among gamers. Titles like “Session” and “Skater XL” have rekindled both players’ and developers’ passion for skating games, with their emphasis on intricate mechanics over mere gimmicks or peripherals. The remakes of the original “Tony Hawk Pro Skater” games also provided a significant boost. As we look towards 2025, skateboarding enthusiasts have good reason to be optimistic.

Skate and Tony Hawk Could Make 2025 Skateboarding‘s Year

A Free-to-Play Skate Game Is On the Way

As a long-time fan, I can hardly contain my excitement as Skate 4, now stylized as skate., is finally set for release next year, even if it’s just in early access first. This new installment of the beloved Skate series has certainly stirred up some conversation, given its free-to-play model. Some have expressed concerns that this change could potentially dilute what makes Skate so unique.

The focus on intricate mechanics is what’s crucial in the upcoming Skate game, especially since the previous games were acclaimed for their robust physics and realism. If Skate 4 manages to get these aspects right, it could mark a triumphant comeback for the series. It’ll be delightful to have another authentic Skate game available, despite the live-service elements potentially altering our interaction with it.

A New Tony Hawk Game Could Be Forthcoming

During an appearance on the “Last Meals” show, Tony Hawk hinted at a potential revival of the Pro Skater series by alluding to a new game in development with Activision. While he was cryptic about this forthcoming project, only mentioning that he’s discussing a new game with Activision, it may still be some time before we receive further details.

As the 25th anniversary of the original “Pro Skater” game approaches, there’s growing speculation that Activision might be planning an official announcement. The company’s recent activity on social media, hinting at the anniversary, has fueled this assumption. Some believe it could be a new installment in the series, while others think it might be a remake of “Pro Skater 3” and “4”, following the trend set by the 2020 remake of its predecessors. Interestingly, there are also rumors about Activision working on remakes of the “Tony Hawk Underground” games, which would undoubtedly excite fans given the positive reception to the “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” remake. Both possibilities seem probable at this point.

Regardless of how Tony Hawk’s remarks are understood, it appears that Activision intends to continue producing skateboarding games. Given the intense rivalry between the original Tony Hawk games and the Skate series, it makes sense for them to rekindle this competition around the time of Skate 4’s early access launch. This way, they can prevent Electronic Arts from dominating the scene. If this is the case, skateboarding enthusiasts might have a lot to look forward to in 2025 and beyond.

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2024-09-24 15:04