Topic: Experiences with the Tony Hawk: Ride Launch Event

[NWR_Neal]

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blogArt.cfm?artid=20344

 

Lauren Lewandoski and I made the journey from New Jersey to New York City to go to Activision's Tony Hawk: Ride event. At the event, we got to play the game, interview Tony Hawk, and take in the sights and sounds.    

The whole event had a family theme, and there were different kid-centric areas set up, such as a decorate-your-own-skateboard room and a table riddled with temporary tattoos. There was also this one kid that totally made Lauren and I feel like we sucked at the game as he managed to match our best scores with one epic, flailing trick.    

   

The main event was when Tony Hawk came out and talked about the game to the crowd. Then, he proceeded to beat the pants off of Robomodo's Joshua Tsui in a score competition. Afterwards, the aforementioned kid ran off like a man on a mission determined to beat Hawk's score.    

   

The game, which launches today, is developed by Buzz Monkey for the Wii, and the skateboard peripheral and Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions were created by Robomodo.    

Troy Jacobsen, the Wii version's lead designer, strangely enough worked with n-Space when they made Geist, which, in light of a recent Radio Free Nintendo segment, spawned some fun conversation about the game and how it is underrated.    

[that Baby guy]

I hate to say it, but Penny-Arcade hit the nail flat on the head:  This looks like a game you'd need to be careful with.  It seems dangerous, with how freely it moves.

Also, you'd need at least three TV screens for the best effect. XD

[NWR_Neal]

Also, you'd need at least three TV screens for the best effect. XD

I don't quite get that. Three TVs surronding you? Meh.

You do need to have good balance to play this, but I kind of like that a lot. It's not real skateboarding, but it's a pretty kick-ass video game interpretation of it.

On the bright side, it's way better than Skate It.

[that Baby guy]

I'm saying that the "on the skateboard" experience would be very awesome if it had the feeling like it was more first person:  When you're turning in a circle, it's hard to see what's in front of you, eh?  Really four or more would be better, but three would give a good visual range.  Any more, and you could have something awesome, though.

Edit:  Coordinated, balanced, or whatever, it only takes one accident.  My roommate slung a Wii Remote at me, and all he was doing was turning to speak while we were playing NSMBWii.  It kind of made me realize that accidents do happen, especially if people get too caught up into things.

[NWR_Neal]

...And Wiis are still popular.

I famously clocked Lauren in the head while drunk and playing Wii Sports Bowling two years ago.

Also, that experience is more or less impossible to represent in a home entertainment environment. If you're going that far, just ride a damn skateboard.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Shaun White Snowboarding is better.

[NWR_Neal]

Shaun White Snowboarding is better.

Shaun White Snowboarding is a lot better than Skate It.

From my experiences with Tony Hawk: Ride, it's too soon to say if it's better than Shaun White, but it's definitely more ambitious.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Shaun White has the advantage of being an easier sell to an existing Wii Fat owner.

[D_Average]

I'm interested. But only $30 interested. Which is still $90 short of their ask. Sounds like suicide to me.

[EasyCure]

i feel ya. I saw a display board at gamestop and it looked like sweet peice of equipment compared to the rest of the plastic crap surrounding my console, but I really don't see myself dropping that kinda money for this. I'd love to try it though, and who knows... maybe it'll be such a great experience that it'll change my mind and i'll spend the cash on this, but i doubt i'll get to play the game soon so... i'll wait till its in the bargain bins.

[BlackNMild2k1]

"maybe it'll be such a great experience that it'll change my mind"

How can this not change your mind?

[NWR_Neal]

True story: That dog has a bunch of videos of him skateboarding and surfing.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

That dog is not the target audience.

[vudu]

At this point I think Activision will take what it can get.

[EasyCure]

so if i offer them some of my junk, think they'll trade me TH RIDE?

ps, i'm sorta glad the didn't call it "Tony Hawk's Exciting Ride" so they wouldn't try to be cool and plaster "THE RIDE" everywhere.