Refreshed with fresh parks, skaters, and lifestyle enhancements, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 isn’t just a remaster; it’s a whole new experience. On May 8, Tony Hawk himself, alongside other professional skateboarders, celebrated this upcoming release in grand fashion. The festivities took place at Los Angeles’ El Rey theatre, where THPS Fest assembled many of the game’s new and returning characters for an evening filled with hands-on gaming, live performances from the soundtrack artists, and exciting brand collaborations. Invite-only, this event also streamed live on Twitch to ensure those who couldn’t attend could still join in the fun.
In their hands-on review, ScreenRant commends Iron Galaxy for excelling in the gameplay aspect of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4. However, THPS Fest underscored the authenticity of the arcade-style game to skateboarding culture as a whole. The forthcoming game successfully showcases various eras of skateboarding by incorporating iconic figures like Rodney Mullen (the inventor of the flatground ollie and kickflip), prominent women in skateboarding such as Lizzie Armanto, respected skaters like Jamie Foy, and Olympic medalists including Yuto Horigome from Japan.
At THPS Fest, I had the thrill of chatting with Tony Hawk about the revival of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, which was initially put on hold. It was an absolute pleasure to also catch up with skateboarding greats like Rodney Mullen, Lizzie Armanto, Jamie Foy, Jamie Thomas, and Geoff Rowley on the event’s red carpet. Hawk shared the fascinating journey that led to the game’s resurrection, while these legendary pros reminisced about their contributions to the franchise. For hardcore skate enthusiasts like myself, it was particularly exciting to hear Rodney Mullen tease a fresh video project he’s currently working on!
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Was A Surprise, Even To Tony Hawk
But The Skater Says He’ll “Campaign All I Can” For More Remakes
When Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 was warmly received in 2020, it seemed logical that remasters of subsequent series installments would follow suit. However, this plan changed when Vicarious Visions merged with Blizzard Entertainment, resulting in the cancellation of a planned Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4. Consequently, when asked about the game’s creation, Tony Hawk himself expressed confusion by saying, “I can’t explain how it happened.
Hawk stated unexpectedly, “Activision approached me and mentioned, ‘It seems we’ve found the ideal studio for 3+4,'” he revealed. Furthermore, he expressed that it wasn’t something he had anticipated they were actively seeking. Despite not knowing the details of the internal discussions leading to the project’s approval, Hawk was clearly thrilled about receiving the call.
As a passionate Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater fan speaking for myself, this revelation means it’s Activision, not Tony himself, who holds the reins when it comes to creating new games like the iconic Tony Hawk’s Underground for today’s gaming era. While I harbor big dreams, the truth is, it’s mostly out of my hands. I’ll do my best to advocate for a remake, but I’m collaborating with a much larger and wiser company that’s got more tricks up its sleeve than I do.
How Bam Margera, Jamie Foy, Lizzie Armanto & More Were Chosen For THPS 3+4
Hawk & Activision Made Sure The Game “Represents All Facets Of Skateboarding”
One significant piece of news regarding Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 since its announcement is the disclosure that professional skater and Jackass crew member Bam Margera will be featured as a playable character in the game. After facing struggles with sobriety, which led to his exclusion from 2022’s Jackass Forever, Margera’s appearance in THPS 3+4 is a major triumph for both the skater and his legions of supporters. According to skateboarder Roger Bagley on The Nine Club podcast, Tony Hawk personally contacted Activision to lobby for Margera’s inclusion.
As a passionate fan, I can certainly affirm that, in a way, it’s true. The excitement is real for me having Bam on board! He’s such a legendary figure within this series and his impact was truly felt in the later installments. Considering the rich history we’re aiming to honor, excluding Bam from this would be an injustice, almost like omitting a crucial chapter from our beloved game’s story.
As a fan myself, I can’t help but notice that Bam isn’t the only outstanding newcomer. The pro skater from Birdhouse Skateboards, Lizzie Armanto, is back on the scene after her debut in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2, and she expresses a sense of relief at being included. She further mentions that it’s not just about making the first appearance, but having the opportunity to continue being part of this series feels like an honor for her. To put it simply, I, too, knew this game before I even got into skating, and being a part of it was never something I thought possible.
Jamie Foy, twice named Skater of the Year by Thrasher magazine, expressed a sentiment that echoed his words: “Growing up, I used to play Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, so it’s incredible to be here among some of the skaters I admired as a kid and feel like I’m on the same level with them. It feels like a dream come true.” However, he was just as taken aback as Armanto when he found out about being chosen. When asked how it all came together, he simply said, “I guess my manager received an offer and asked if I was interested.
Hawk clarified a bit more about the selection, labeling Foy as one of the “standout choices.” Apart from Foy, other skaters on the roster – which also features French professional Aurélien Giraud and Brazilian sensation Rayssa Leal – were chosen through a collaborative process with Activision. This involved a collective opinion and voting system to determine what embodies all aspects of skateboarding.
Original THPS Pros Reflect On Joining The First Games
“I Didn’t Want To Be Involved With A Game That Was Kooky”
As the launch date for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 draws near, it’s tough to conceive that not every professional skateboarder was instantly enthused about the idea of a Tony Hawk-themed arcade-style skateboarding game during its creation in the late ’90s. Rodney Mullen, one of the pros, candidly shared, “We were thrilled to be a part of Tony’s game. Honestly, we didn’t anticipate it would last much longer than a year or two at most.
Jamie Thomas, creator of Zero skateboards and professional skater, agreed to collaborate with the franchise. Yet, he was equally committed to ensuring an accurate representation of skateboarding in the portrayal. He mentioned playing the first four games extensively, claiming that he did so more than any other pro. This dedication was partly due to a series of knee injuries he suffered, a traumatic experience for any skateboarder. However, another reason was his desire to avoid being associated with a game deemed “not authentic” or “kooky.
Thomas shared, “I provided them with a wealth of feedback, clarified various trick names, and assisted them in numerous ways.” He added, “They were already headed in the right direction; I was essentially offering insider tips.
English skateboarder Geoff Rowley responded without hesitation: “Not at all,” he said, when asked if any persuading was needed for him to join the original Pro Skater. “I have faith in Tony Hawk’s vision for skateboarding, and I stand behind it. I always have, and I likely always will. It was a privilege to be part of it … it was undeniably evident that we were working with the right individuals, doing the right thing.
How THPS Special Tricks Are Made, Explained
“Because We’re In A Video Game Realm, We Can Be Fantastical About The Tricks”
A standout feature of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series lies undeniably in its unique and varied tricks, some of which seem downright unattainable. Hawk explained their existence by pointing out that while the game is based on real skating, being in a video game world allows for a touch of the fantastical when it comes to the tricks. There are numerous tricks that are far-fetched and even comical, and this has always been a part of the series.
For the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, certain professional tricks were included that were filmed by the pros themselves. One such trick is the Rowley darkslide, though Rowley himself clarified, “I didn’t come up with that name. People started calling it the Rowley darkslide because I placed my foot in a different position.” Interestingly, in actual skateboarding, there isn’t a single consistent version of this trick as Rowley explained, “I put my feet in a different place every time. It’s just how skateboarding works.
In Hawk’s perspective, what stands out most about the special tricks in the THPS series is how they motivated skateboarders to explore and transcend the limits of their sport on the streets. As he put it, “There were countless combos that seemed implausible in real life back then, so they were exciting to perform in a video game. Today, when you see skaters like Shane O’Neill, Yuto [Horigome], and Nyjah [Huston] doing those same tricks, they’re no longer just video game moves.
Lizzie Armanto Reflects On THPS Truly Embracing Women’s Skateboarding
Armanto Praised “So Many Great Examples That Weren’t There When I Was A Kid”
As a devoted fan, I must highlight an exceptional aspect of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 – the representation of diverse skateboarders, including women, transgender, and non-binary individuals like Leo Baker from Nike. While the skateboarding community is often touted as inclusive, it’s worth noting that the initial series of THPS games only featured one female skater, Elissa Steamer from Florida. However, progress has undeniably been made in the world of women’s skateboarding since then, and it’s refreshing to see this reflected in the remakes.
Women’s skateboarding has become a significant aspect in international competitions such as the X-Games, Street League Skateboarding, and the Olympics, fueling excitement within a continually evolving community. Lizzie Armanto expressed her feelings about sharing the screen with skaters like Rayssa Leal, Chloe Covell, and Margielyn Didal in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 & 4, stating, “It holds immense value. It’s astounding to witness the transformation and see so many inspiring figures that weren’t present during my childhood years.
Armanto expressed that skateboarding significantly altered his life’s course, stating, ‘It played a crucial role in helping me discover who I am.’ He hopes others will find their own passions, whether they are into skateboarding, another activity, or something related. Armanto believes that life is all about enjoying yourself, pursuing your interests, challenging yourself. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t, but in skateboarding, you learn every day that success doesn’t always come right away.
“You have to put in the effort, have the vision, and be open to the possibilities.”
Pros Reflect On The Legacy Of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
“This Is Permanent”
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater significantly transformed both skateboarding and video game culture, leaving a lasting impact. It birthed an entire category of skateboarding games (though Rockstar Games’ Thrasher Presents Skate & Destroy came out the same year), inspired countless individuals to take up skateboarding, and raised the profile of the community at large. Tony Hawk expressed surprise at the game’s success, stating that he hadn’t anticipated it creating a franchise or a genre of games, before describing subsequent titles like EA’s Skate as “competitive, but also not—just like skateboarding itself.
Rodney Mullen expressed the idea as follows: “It transformed the entire culture into revealing what we all have in common.” He went on, speaking in his uniquely expressive manner, “The validation it provides to so many of my fellow contributors who added something significant to our lives on a broader scale… that gives us a sense of purpose that surpasses anything we could have achieved within our professions, if you follow me.
Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen & Lizzie Armanto Share What’s Next
From Stage Shows To Long-Awaited Video Parts
Although the future of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater as a recognized entity remains uncertain, the characters within the game are certainly active. In fact, Tony Hawk himself is currently involved in a unique project that fuses music and skateboarding for the stage, and he’s teaming up with Devo co-founder Mark Mothersbaugh. As they work together, they shared that they’re “deep in the details” of this theater production.
Lizzie Armanto is diligently gathering material for her upcoming skateboarding segment as part of her Monster collaboration. She shared, “We’ve been exploring some fascinating locations and having great experiences.” Additionally, she expressed enthusiasm about the expansion of the Monster team: “There are more women on the team now, and the atmosphere is incredibly positive and inspiring. This makes me feel proud to be a skateboarder.
She commented, “It seems as though there are countless young women emerging and excelling, which motivates me immensely.” She went on to say, “It’s strange to recognize myself in these rising talents because I find myself thinking, ‘Hold on, I’m still here doing my thing.’ Yet, it’s fascinating and exhilarating all at once.
58-year-old skateboarding legend Rodney Mullen, often considered the most impactful skater in history, recently shared that he has approximately 120 seconds of footage for a fresh video segment. For reference, the latest compilation of new Mullen footage was released 8 years ago through Vogue, while his last full skateboarding video part was featured in 2004’s Almost Round 3. Health concerns have been a challenge for Mullen lately, but at the THPS Fest red carpet, he expressed gratitude towards modern medicine, stating, “I managed to film last night.
He mentioned he’s a bit achy today, but his enthusiastic account of filming fresh footage makes it seem like a trivial concern: “What strikes me when I watch it is the genuine happiness. It just flows. I might be mid-trick, transitioning to landing, and burst into laughter. I’ve never done that before. I believe part of that is realizing I’d never feel this way again. Returning to this, it’s like water to a thirsty man – the joy. That, for me, is likely the most extraordinary aspect of the video, in an unusual way.
Mullen added, “I was exhausted physically due to my bones. The wear and tear, as well as what they replaced, made me feel older by about two decades. So, the tasks I could handle a decade ago seem like a breeze in comparison to what I’m dealing with now.
But, he said about the footage, “It’s coming out.”
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2025-05-10 07:28