Activision Unveils Tony Hawk Ride, Skateboard Peripheral

New details have emerged on a new Tony Hawk title Activision's lately been teasing; with the launch of a new trailer and website today, the publisher confirmed skateboard peripheral-equipped Tony Hawk Ride. The title's developer is newly-established Chicago-based indie studio Robomodo, as widely speculated following confirmation that former franchise developer Neversoft would shift its focus entirely to the Guitar Hero series. Robomodo is comprised of veterans of Electronic Arts' shuttered Chicago studio (Fight Night Round 3). Tomb Raider Underworld co-developer Buzz Monkey Software is also listed as being involved with the project. Tony Hawk Ride represents a reboot for the pro skater's video game franchise, which had received regular sequels since the first Tony Hawk's Pro Skater launched in 1999, but hasn't seen a new one since 2007's Tony Hawk's Proving Ground. Activision has said its new Tony Hawk will be a significant re-engineering for the brand, and that the title is planned as a major holiday release. No further details on the game have been released, but the publisher will show the title for the first time at E3. The black skateboard peripheral is tilt-sensitive and also boasts buttons, appearing to work with the game similarly to how the Wii Balance Board works for EA's Skate It. Capitalizing on consumer willingness to buy peripheral-bundled titles has played a significant role in Activision's revenue strategy -- last year's Fall-Holiday season saw the publisher expand on Guitar Hero by unveiling a full band kit with Guitar Hero: World Tour to compete more directly with EA and MTV/Harmonix's Rock Band.