Want a new way to skate?

by Nick Doerr { Jun 4th 2007 at 1:00PM }

Tony Hawk, your days are so numbered! Actually, it would be more appropriate if we were to say "arcade-style skating games, your days of off-the-wall tricks are numbered!" See, the upcoming PS3 and 360 title skate isn't like Tony Hawk games and others in that it plays more like a skating simulation. Gran Turismo for the X-Games, so to speak. For those instantly turned off by the mention of a sim, don't worry. Black Box is still approaching skate like a video game, so they'll let you have quite a bit of fun. We'll tell you how.

The dual-analog control scheme is innovative and a huge draw for those trying to find something new in their skating titles.
Create your own skater isn't limited to five standard skins, but a completely unique character for every player. skate sports 40 brands of apparel, so mixing and matching your dress is just the start. Roll up the sleeves, perhaps roll up one pant leg, tilt that hat sideways ... it's possible.
Skateboard physics are paramount -- choosing between soft and hard wheels greatly affects your performance. Along with altering your trucks (tighter or a bit more on the loose side) is a good idea when taking on specific challenges. Sounds intense? It is.
No stats, no set tricks, nothing locked away. The experience depends solely on your ability to perform tricks using the unique control scheme and manipulating the physics to your advantage.
There's no hokey-pokey story to play through -- more like the Quest Mode in Virtua Fighter 5, with an open world like Grand Theft Auto. Gain clout by owning skating arenas, win competitions and just create your own story. Wanna be an underground legend, or a magazine-cover mogel? Your choice.

It sounds like a very ambitious project and we're extremely interested to see how it pans out. But we want to know what you guys think -- will taking a more realistic approach to a mostly arcade-inspired genre breathe new life into it? We'd like to imagine so.

Tags: Black Box, BlackBox, EA, Electronic Arts, ElectronicArts, Microsoft, PlayStation 3, Playstation3, PS3, skate, Sony, Xbox 360, Xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

adamantypants @ Jun 4th 2007 1:16PM

I'm super stoked for this game. Ever since Tony Hawk came out, I've wanted something that's a little more for the true skaters. I remember having conversations with my friends about how these tricks would always be impossible.

So finally years of my real tinkering with trucks, wheels, bushings, hardware, bearings, etc will actually be put to use. I just hope the control scheme will be easy to get accustomed to.

pete @ Jun 4th 2007 1:40PM

u know people knock th, and with dhj id agree but a skating sim sounds so boring especially to pick up and play. have your friends roll over and u can pot in th and everyone would usually have a blast but pop this baby and all your friends will be able to do is ollies, unless they spend all types of time playign it and they aint doing it on my rig. but thats all speculation since i havent played it myself

davebo @ Jun 4th 2007 1:54PM

I don't know if pete has a point about tricks being too difficult to pick up or not, since neither of us has played it, but he did touch on the fun factor of friends coming over and playing. I haven't heard anyone mention split-screen multiplayer for Skate, is that in the works? I'm constantly disappointed in this generation of gaming's lack of "real life friends" multiplayer in favor of online multiplayer.

MAXfromBelow1979 @ Jun 4th 2007 2:20PM

online comps would be the cherry on top for this banana split sundae. im definitely reserving this one. THPS games are getting boring even while im stoned. definitely reserving this game!

iRoy @ Jun 4th 2007 2:33PM

I am an avid skateboarder and I have been ever since before THPS1 on PSX. I've owned just about all Tony Hawk games but the series completely lost me at "American Wasteland" or whatever it was.

This game looks very promising though but the real reason that I am going to buy it is the support it has from pros that I really look up to. My favorite street skater Dennis Busenitz is in this game and so are a lot of other amazing skaters like Jerry Hsu who are not household names like Hawk and Burnquist. EA Vancouver are really trying to appeal to people like myself and Vancouver also has an amazing skate scene that they have embraced. Hopefully they will stay true to what skateboarding is all about and not get caught up with glamor and in-game corporate sponsorship and really gay Margera-esque stupidity.

I can't wait to get my hands on this game that's for sure but I must say that kickflipping a stair set is much more rewarding in real life.

John @ Jun 4th 2007 3:25PM

I love the idea of skating games, but never got into that multiple combo button mash thing.

When I heard this game was coming, I was totally stoked, and the more news I heart the more excited I am.

I think the comparison to Gran Turismo is appropriate. I'm really looking forward to this, as I think pulling off the tricks will be closer to real life, it'll look better (smoother animations between moves), and character customization is an absolute must.

I do hope there's a replay feature. I can see tons of these going up on youtube with favorite music in the background. Hopefull replay will also allow on-the-fly camera angles, panning and zoom?