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Activision confirms Tony Hawk demo around Thanksgiving

If you can't read French, let us do the dirty work for you. According to PlayFrance, Activision has announced that the newest Tony Hawk game, Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, will get a downloadable demo onto the PlayStation Store a little before Thanksgiving. If you've got a US account but aren't quite sure when those crazy Americans celebrate turkey day, this means to expect a demo around the third week of November.

This is all well and good, but we can't forget that it is another Tony Hawk game. A lot of people have been saying that his titles have grown more and more stale throughout the years, so putting a demo up is risky. On the other hand, perhaps there is a lot of promise in the title and placing a demo up proves it. We'll see if Proving Ground really lives up to its name, or proves that it sucks, in November.

Today's which-one-is-evil comparison: Skate versus Tony Hawk

We've played Skate, and we've seen Tony Hawk's Proving Ground. Today's video picks compare the latest trailers for both games.

Admittedly, we think the two titles can coexist, at least for this year. Skate is a completely different control experience, while Tony Hawk is the latest in a solid franchise. We can see both games appealing to different -- or even the same -- gamers.

And we're glad Skate is here to keep Tony Hawk honest. Do we really expect a 1.0 game to dethrone Tony Hawk-we-stopped-counting-version-numbers? Maybe not, but competition should make them both stronger.

See the new trailers after the break.

Continued →

Video: Proving Ground is all about choices


"Life is about choices. They define who you are. Each path, every turn. It's your decision. That's what it's all about." Believe it? Well, that's what the main theme in the debut trailer for Tony Hawk's Proving Ground is all about, choices. You'll be able to create a skater that reflects the kind of person you want to be, whether you're going for the rockstar mystique or just doing it for the pain. It's an interesting concept, but the gameplay footage doesn't look all that graphically impressive. Give the trailer a watch and consciously compare what Mr. Hawk has to offer with EA's Skate. What are your thoughts?

Rockin' out to Skate's soundtrack

Yesterday, EA released the song list for their possible Tony Hawk killer Skate. Featured on the game's soundtrack are bands like Cheap Trick, The White Stripes, ZZ Top, and David Bowie giving Skate that edgy rock mix of skating fun. Complete list of songs that'll be available on the Skate soundtrack is available after the jump.

We all know a soundtrack isn't going to dethrone Tony Hawk's iron grip on the skating genre, but we think Skate's other features make it more than a worthy contender. The soundtrack is more or less "butta" on the skater toast.

Joystiq Interview: Skate's EA Blackbox, new screenshots


When it comes to games not called Halo 3, EA's Tony Hawk killer, Skate, is most definitely near the top of our "most anticipated" lists. In our last preview, we dumped an unbridled amount of praise upon it and for a very good reason: it embodies the feeling of skateboarding more than any game to date. For those of us who've spent our lives skating, getting our hands on this title was practically a spiritual experience.

And so, we sought more information from the good folks at Canada's EA Blackbox and have returned with an in-depth interview with its creators. From online multiplayer to recorded films and why we won't be seeing female avatars, there's something for everyone in this Skate love-in.

Gallery: skate.

Continued →

Forget Downhill Jam, Wii gets proper Tony Hawk game


That's right, Wii owners will now get to waggle and wiggle in a genuine Tony Hawk game come this Fall. Announced for all platforms known to man, GamePro has all the deets in their next issue, but we do know a few things. For one, it's called Tony Hawk Proving Ground and will allow players to create "epic skate videos," hang out in a customizable Skate Lounge where friends can skate around, along with seamless single player and online integration.

Let's hope that goes for the Wii and not just the other consoles it's available on.

[Via Joystiq]

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground unveiled, apathy ensues

Tony Hawk ... the franchise that just won't lie down and take a nap. Every month or so we get a new trick from this franchise and, frankly, we're tired of it. When the announcement rolled in about the new Tony Hawk's Proving Ground we smirked and thought to ourselves: "yes, this is a proving ground to see if you're a viable gaming franchise, still." Other than that, complete apathy.

Anyway, this new title to be released on the PS3 and 360 sports some revamped multiplayer, video editing, new modes (Nail-the-Trick was named), and a class system. Class system? For skaters? What, will one guy be pumping out buffer chants while the tank skater takes on the big tricks? Or will there be a homeless skater next to a sharp-looking business executive skater? We are interested to see how the multiplayer is changing and how in-depth the video editing tool will be. We'll keep you posted as information becomes available.

Prove yourself in new Tony Hawk title

Has your appetite for new-gen skateboarding games not been whetted by clips from Electronic Arts' Skate? Activision has just sent out a press release unveiling the latest Tony Hawk game, entitled Proving Ground.

New features with full-featured editing tools and visual effects for creating "epic skate videos," a customizable Skate Lounge where you and friends can skate around together, and seamless single player and online integration. There will be skateable terrain altering and more Nail-the-Trick moves.

Proving Ground is slated for release later this fall for Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PS2 and Nintendo DS. GamePro is dedicated their next issue to the game. Has anyone already received their copy of the issue in the mail?



[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Time to prove yourself, new Tony Hawk details

Being the magazine salesman they are, GamePro announced what's in their latest issue and spilled some new details on the next Tony Hawk installment. Among the new information revealed is the official title Tony Hawk Proving Ground and that the game will include a Nail-the-Trick mode, inclusion of skater classes, revamped multiplayer, and a new built-in video editor. The inclusion of a video editor is fantastic (reminds us of another game) and a beefier multiplayer is always welcome. EA Activision is going to have to pull out all the stops with Tony Hawk Proving Ground, because Mr. Hawk will be feeling some new competition from a little game called Skate. Who's up for a skate-off?

Update: Activision is responsible for Tony Hawk, not EA. The blogger responsible has been shot out of Fanboy Towers' recently installed Man Cannon ... into a cactus field.

[Thanks, Jeff]

Joystiq on Skate: watch your back Tony


Joystiq recently got a significant amount of hands-on time with the upcoming Electronic Arts title Skate. As we have mentioned myriad times before, the question on everyone's mind is whether or not Skate is better than Tony Hawk. According to Joystiq, the answer is an emphatic "Yes." Skate ditches the complex button combinations of Tony Hawk in favor of a slick, streamlined setup that relies on the analog sticks. The left stick controls your body and the right controls your feet. It takes some getting used to, but Joystiq has nothing but praise for the new system. Joystiq's conclusion: not only can Skate compete with Tony Hawk, it has already displaced it. Follow the "read" link for the full preview.

Skate slaps Tony Hawk, demands satisfaction


When you talk about EA's upcoming Skate, it's inevitable that you will compare it to Tony Hawk. There's just no way around it. EA knows this (they have to, they're EA). We've asked the Tony Hawk question repeatedly when discussing Skate. Is there any it can topple the Hawk? With their latest video, it looks like EA is giving us their own answer. Skate looks to completely change the traditional control method of Skating games. There are no button holds and direction presses here. No, tricks (at least the ones without grabs) are controlled entirely with the right stick, EA calls these Flickit controls. Check out the video and weigh in one more time: does Skate stand a chance against Tony?

[Via Joystiq]

Skate trailer grinds onto Marketplace


It's only a month and a half late, but the first gameplay trailer for Skate is now available for download on Xbox Live Marketplace. Originally released at the beginning of March, the trailer shows off Electronic Arts' more realistic take on the sport. Skate eschews the giant combos and tricks of Tony Hawk for a simpler and arguably more accurate version of skateboarding. If this video is anything to go by, you won't be landing many 900°s in Skate. No, it seems that the idea is centered much more around landing simple, real world tricks. Whether or not that makes for an entertaining skateboarding game remains to be seen. Go download it and revel in the HD goodness. Of course, you could also watch the streaming version that came out last month.

Buy Tony Hawk's board-burdened GH guitar, help starving musicians

hawk's guitarHere's a charity item we guarantee no one has ever auctioned off before: a Guitar Hero controller bonded to a skateboard fragment -- with Tony Hawk's siggy, no less. Bidding starts at $100 and proceeds go to the MusiCares organization, which catches panhandling musicians in a delicate safety net and provides them with "critical assistance" (read: not a record deal). Some 29 other celeb- and rocker-decorated GH controllers are also up on eBay to support the cause.

For anyone hoping for more than just a geeky display piece, please note the fine print: "Owing to customization, the controller is offered solely as an art object and is not guaranteed to have retained any functionality; buyers who choose to connect the controller to a console do so at their own risk." (Ever seen a skate-guitar asplode...?)

[Via IGN]

Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam now on Sony Wii

Tony Hawk's presence is so strong in the gaming world that he even has titles available for imaginary consoles! Tucked away in the lower right corner of TonyHawk.com is an image promoting the latest game, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam. It's available for -- brace yourself -- Sony Wii.

We're sure this is an innocent slip-up and not a portent of the future to come. Or are the folks behind Tony's website doing tarot card readings on the side?

For the record, Downhill Jam is available for Nintendo's Wii, DS and Game Boy Advance. A PS2 version is in the works and will be released later this year.

[Thanks, Stephen]

Rumor: Dave Mirra BMX Challenge coming to the Wii

Rumor has it that Crave Entertainment is going to publish a version of Dave Mirra BMX Challenge on the Wii. The rumored release date is Q3 2007 and the game is said to retail for $39.99 USD. The source of the rumor comes from Codename Revolution, who say a distribution contact of theirs confirms the news. Still, even if it is true, is anyone even interested?

The weird thing about BMX titles is that none have really enjoyed the success of the Tony Hawk series. That isn't for wanting, though, as the Matt Hoffman and Dave Mirra games tried to enjoy the skateboarding game's success in the BMX world. So, are you one of those BMX fans? Looking forward to some BMX action on the Wii?

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