Before the highly acclaimed Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater debuted in 1999, Tony Hawk himself had nearly abandoned his ambition to create a skateboarding video game. In a recent interview, Hawk disclosed that discussions with various developers and console makers regarding the idea had stalled throughout the mid-to-late 1990s.
In an interview with USA Today, Hawk described the challenge of persuading anyone to develop a skateboarding game as “an uphill battle.” His passion for the idea stemmed from his own upbringing with video games, recalling the Intellivision as his first console, followed by a Commodore 64, SNES, and PlayStation. He even briefly worked on video editing for the TurboGrafx 16 in the early 90s. However, after numerous companies rejected his proposal, Hawk admitted that by 1997, he had largely given up hope.
Fortunately, Activision was already developing a skateboarding game and learned of Hawk`s interest in creating such a title. Hawk recounted, “I went to Activision, saw a very early build of what would become Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater, and instantly recognized its potential. I instinctively knew it would be the most enjoyable and impactful game to be involved with. With my network, resources, and experience, we could ensure its authenticity.”
This collaboration ultimately gave rise to one of the most cherished video game franchises ever, recently seeing the successful remake launch of Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater 3 + 4. The series now spans over two decades and encompasses more than a dozen titles, with Hawk noting that fans predominantly discuss the THPS games whenever they encounter him.
Hawk typically plays as himself within the games but occasionally tries out other skaters to observe their unique tricks. He mentioned that if he had to pick an alternative character, it would be his son, Riley.
Hawk is currently auctioning the skateboard he used to perform the first-ever officially recorded 900, a milestone achieved in 1999—the same year the THPS franchise launched. Fans can also observe Hawk`s evolution in video game form through GameSpot`s visual comparison of skaters in Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater 3+4 against their original appearances. Beyond visual enhancements, the remakes also feature new levels to explore.
