The Lasting Fascination of Skateboard Video Games

More than 25 years after the release of the first Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, which brought skateboarding video games into the spotlight, developers continue to find innovative ways to represent the sport in video games, especially in 2025. Skateboarding enthusiasts will soon have exciting new titles to enjoy, as Activision's remake of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 will be released in July, while EA plans to launch its online and free version of Skate this year.

In 2022, an analyst mentioned that we are in a golden age for skate video games, and so far the trend has not diminished. But what makes skateboarding so appealing for video games, allowing numerous developers to explore different expressions of this sport? Kurt Tillmanns, the game director of THPS 3 + 4, points out that “skateboarding is always cool.” He describes this practice as a lasting fantasy in real life and in games, explaining that being a skater symbolizes what is considered attractive.

Music, fashion, and art are also part of what makes skateboarding appealing, and video games allow players to immerse themselves in this culture, according to Tillmanns. Andrew Schimmel, a senior producer at Snowman, the creators of the Skate City series, humorously adds that “it’s safer,” allowing those who want to try skating to experience it without the risk of injury.

The different approaches to skateboarding further enrich this world. Mike McCartney, executive producer of Skate, explains that the skate community is incredibly diverse, creating a demand for variety in types of video games—some more realistic and others more arcade or casual. The new Skate will focus on recreating an experience that captures the freedom and expression inherent in skate culture, respecting its roots while advancing the game.

The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater titles will always include Tony Hawk and professional skaters, who bring their styles and personalities to the game, including tricks that represent their real-life skating. Tony Hawk is actively involved, ensuring that the details in the game are accurate, as he understands that his games become a reference for skaters in the years to come.

The THPS series achieves a balanced mix between an arcade experience and a skateboarding simulation, presenting realistic physics and environments that allow for extravagant tricks and fulfilling video game objectives. In the case of Skate City, the Snowman team has worked to adapt skateboarding to mobile devices, starting with an exclusive launch for Apple Arcade. Its touch controls use the thumbs to simulate the typical tricks of the sport.

Developers believe there are endless possibilities for the evolution of skateboarding video games. Jeff Seamster, the creative head of Skate, mentions that “skateboarding never stops evolving, and neither does our game.” The creativity of skaters continues to surprise, and it is impossible to predict what the scene will look like in the future.

Multiplayer interaction and online play could be the next steps. Tillmanns assures that THPS 3 + 4 will feature cross-play, increasing the number of players online to unprecedented levels in a Tony Hawk game. Schimmel highlights titles like OlliOlli World and Skate Story, which offer different perspectives on skateboarding, suggesting that there is still much to explore in this field.