Topic: Activision Reveals Tony Hawk Ride

[NWR_pap64]

The reinvention of the Tony Hawk franchise will feature a new peripheral.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18480

 After almost two years of absence from the industry, Tony Hawk returns to the gaming world in Tony Hawk Ride, which promises to reinvent the franchise with bold new controls.    

Players will now be able to physically interact with the game thanks to a new wireless peripheral that is currently being called the "motion sensing skateboard controller." The peripheral allows the player a realistic skateboarding experience that lets players of different skills to play.    

Tony Hawk is working closely with the developers, Robomodo on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and Buzz Monkey on the Wii, on this game.    

"This is the game IÂ’ve always wanted to make," said Hawk. "Playing on the board is unlike any other game, and I'm excited for everyone to have the chance to feel what it's really like to experience the true feeling of skateboarding."  Tony Hawk Ride is scheduled for release this fall.    

  ACTIVISION REINVENTS TONY HAWK FRANCHISE  THIS HOLIDAY WITH INNOVATIVE  SKATEBOARD CONTROLLER      

Tony Hawk: RIDE Set to Redefine Gaming by Offering  Unparalleled Hands-Free Gaming Experience      

Santa Monica, CA – May 18, 2009 – This fall players will be able to experience skateboarding like never before in Tony Hawk: RIDE from Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI).  For the first time, players will have the ability to physically play the game using an innovative motion sensing skateboard controller, allowing for unprecedented freedom and movement.Tony Hawk: RIDE focuses on innovation and fun, bringing the #1 best-selling action-sports franchise to the forefront with cutting-edge technology for the hardcore fans and accessibility for the mass audience.      

"Tony Hawk: RIDE is a massive step forward for the franchise and the gaming industry as a whole," said Rob Kostich, head of marketing, global brand management, Activision Publishing, Inc.  "The skateboard controller will redefine sports games by offering players a true skateboarding experience, hands-free, playing with friends and family at home or online in a variety of different locations."      

"This is the game IÂ’ve always wanted to make," said Tony Hawk, who has been directly involved with development of the project.  "Playing on the board is unlike any other game, and IÂ’m excited for everyone to have the chance to feel what itÂ’s really like to experience the true feeling of skateboarding."      

Tony Hawk: RIDE features a wireless skateboard controller designed in conjunction with the game to offer a dynamic gaming experience built from the ground up.  Using a combination of accelerometers and motion sensors, the intuitive controller allows players to physically control the action by performing various movements and gestures on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game.  Without complex button combinations or analog sticks, gamers of all skill levels can literally step on the board and play!      

Tony Hawk: RIDE is in development by Robomodo for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.  Buzz Monkey is developing the Wii  system version. The game is not yet rated by the ESRB and is scheduled for release later this year.

[TJ Spyke]

I've never heard of Robomodo or Buzz Monkey. What else have they done?

The idea behind the game sounds kind of cool, it's also something that I know has been rumored for a few years.

BTW, I hate what game companies put their game names in capitals for no reason (i.e. "Tony Hawk: RIDE" instead of "Tony Hawk: Ride").

[Mop it up]

This makes me wonder how you're supposed to ollie.

BTW, I hate what game companies put their game names in capitals for no reason (i.e. "Tony Hawk: RIDE" instead of "Tony Hawk: Ride").

It doesn't really matter as I'm sure this game will quickly become known as "Crazy Lawsuit Game". After what happened with the Wiimote, this can't end well...

[Ian Sane]

A game that requires a new peripheral?  On the Wii?  By the makers of Guitar Hero?  What a surprise!

I lost interest in the Tony Hawk series long ago since, well, Activision milked it so hard that the concept became embarassingly stale.  Some things never change I guess.  So it will take something pretty impressive for me to get back on board (accidental pun there).  But even if it turns out great you just KNOW Activision is going to milk it to the ground and in three years we'll all be "oh God are they making ANOTHER Tony Hawk: Ride game?"

I'll bet Activision already has plans for offering a new bundle with a slightly altered skateboard controller every six months.

[Plugabugz]

I'll bet Activision already has plans for offering a new bundle with a slightly altered skateboard controller every six months.

Of course! They want to "annualize" the franchise. If they want to be innovative then add balance board support at the same time. Then it can be like playing twister but on your own.

[Flames_of_chaos]

A game that requires a new peripheral?  On the Wii?  By the makers of Guitar Hero?  What a surprise!

I lost interest in the Tony Hawk series long ago since, well, Activision milked it so hard that the concept became embarassingly stale.  Some things never change I guess.  So it will take something pretty impressive for me to get back on board (accidental pun there).  But even if it turns out great you just KNOW Activision is going to milk it to the ground and in three years we'll all be "oh God are they making ANOTHER Tony Hawk: Ride game?"

I'll bet Activision already has plans for offering a new bundle with a slightly altered skateboard controller every six months.

It's sad when a company tries to make extra profit by making a game require a peripheral, for every of their series. First Guitar hero, then DJ hero and now Tony Hawk Ride.

[AV]

so why exactly is this better than a balance board ?

[Dasmos]

No skating game is ever going to better than THPS2. They should just stop trying.

[Jonnyboy117]

so why exactly is this better than a balance board ?

It has a lot more sensors and actually doesn't sense your weight at all.  It's more like standing on a huge Wii Remote. It's designed to be very mobile, and you are expected to balance the board on its curved ends as well as sometimes spin the board around on the floor, all without using your hands. I recommend watching the video at GameTrailers to get a better idea of how it works.

Personally, the controls look very cool and fun to me. What I'm more concerned about is whether this new developer has made a good game to play with the neat controller. It's been a long time since I cared about Tony Hawk games at all, and this one has already changed that.

[Mop it up]

It's more like standing on a huge Wii Remote. It's designed to be very mobile, and you are expected to balance the board on its curved ends as well as sometimes spin the board around on the floor, all without using your hands.

So you need to have actual skateboarding skill in order to use it? Then why not just go buy a real skateboard? At least then you'd have a chance of seeming cool instead of dorky.

[Enner]

Because this is for the thunderous rainy days or if you want to go faster and harder than what you're comfortable with. Gotta love video games for letting people act out some of their fantasies without risk of serious injury or death.

[Jonnyboy117]

There are different settings for people of different skill levels.  Of course you don't have to be a skateboarder to play the game.  But if you are, you will be able to play it with more advanced controls.

[BlackNMild2k1]

here is a link to the actual site
http://thride.com/

and a link to the video they direct you to @ GT
http://www.gametrailers.com/gametrailerstv_player.php?ep=59&ch=1&sd=0

[BeautifulShy]

For those wondering about Buzz Monkey here is their website.
http://Http://buzzmonkey.com

[AV]

hmmm. looks like it actually beats balance board in some way. I wonder how it will sell. Some of the 360 and PS3 fans have an elitism about themselves and hate motion stuff.

[EasyCure]

Because this is for the thunderous rainy days or if you want to go faster and harder than what you're comfortable with. Gotta love video games for letting people act out some of their fantasies without risk of serious injury or death.

I've fractured 3 bones (all at once) skateboarding a little too fast and losing control of the board. Its not fun kids! I haven't been back on a skateboard since.. it feels like I've never been on one before and I have to relearn it, but I have like a mental block that keeps me from really wanting to.

I'd be interested in this game i the price was right, but i doubt it will be. Now that skateboardings become some sort of hiphop fan, i'm even LESS interested in returning to the series out of principal alone lol (seriously, ghetto kids walking around with skateboards in their hands and none even know how to ride em? geez!)

[NWR_Neal]

I'm interested in this.

Yes, it might be another big, bulky peripheral to add to the collection, but I'd prefer Activision trying something new then just do the same crap they've been doing for 10 years with the Tony Hawk franchise. The Tony Hawk series up until THPS4/THUG was one of my favorites. I still put in THPS3 every now and then.

Plus, after the disapointment that was Skate It, I wanna see a good skateboarding game come to Wii.

[Enner]

From the GameTrailers TV feature on the peripheral, it looks like the board will be on the small and slim side. Tony Hawk was on it and the length of his food covered the peripheral's width, I think.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

"Tony Hawk was on it and the length of his food covered the peripheral's width"

Subway sandwiches or massive hot dogs?

[Ian Sane]

ghetto kids walking around with skateboards in their hands and none even know how to ride em? geez!

The really exists?  That's both pathetic and rather hilarious at the same time.

God help me if I ever spot kids carrying about electric guitars as a fashion accessory without being able to play them.  Guitar Hero was bad for sparking wannabe guitar players but thankfully it hasn't yet gotten to this.

[Flames_of_chaos]

ghetto kids walking around with skateboards in their hands and none even know how to ride em? geez!

The really exists?  That's both pathetic and rather hilarious at the same time.

God help me if I ever spot kids carrying about electric guitars as a fashion accessory without being able to play them.  Guitar Hero was bad for sparking wannabe guitar players but thankfully it hasn't yet gotten to this.

There's a lot of them in New Jersey, I guess they are rare in Canada.

[NWR_Neal]

ghetto kids walking around with skateboards in their hands and none even know how to ride em? geez!

The really exists?  That's both pathetic and rather hilarious at the same time.

God help me if I ever spot kids carrying about electric guitars as a fashion accessory without being able to play them.  Guitar Hero was bad for sparking wannabe guitar players but thankfully it hasn't yet gotten to this.

There's a lot of them in New Jersey, I guess they are rare in Canada.

To be fair, I don't think "ghetto kids" are the only people that walk around with skateboards and don't know how to ride them.

[TJ Spyke]

Anybody hear remember the old WCW tag team of Shane Douglass and Johnny Ace? They were called The Dynamic Dudes, they would carry skateboards with them to the ring but never rode them, making it obvious that they didn't know how.

[Rize]

The concept is pretty neat, but honestly my desire to ride a fake skateboard is pretty low.  I'd like to try it some day, but I don't want to buy an expensive peripheral/game combo when I have a feeling I won't like it much.  Sometimes it's all I can do to plop down on a couch and play a regular game, much less something this active.

[EasyCure]

ghetto kids walking around with skateboards in their hands and none even know how to ride em? geez!

The really exists?  That's both pathetic and rather hilarious at the same time.

God help me if I ever spot kids carrying about electric guitars as a fashion accessory without being able to play them.  Guitar Hero was bad for sparking wannabe guitar players but thankfully it hasn't yet gotten to this.

There's a lot of them in New Jersey, I guess they are rare in Canada.

To be fair, I don't think "ghetto kids" are the only people that walk around with skateboards and don't know how to ride them.

Yeah you're right. To be fair the "ghetto kids" are new to the poser scene when it comes to skateboard, the "emo kids" did it too as well as the "(pop)punk kids" before them. Still doesn't really matter who'se doing it though, its still sad to see. The problem is its getting harder to tell who can ride and who can't because the line between scenesters is being blurred. Now they all wear brightly colored tight shirts, skinny jeans (some that still 'fall' off the waistline), skateboard sneakers and dyed hair.

Before i de-rail this even more, i just wanna say this all goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover. Unless its obvious its a magazine with a hard cover posing as a book.