Iron Galaxy Studios has revealed the reasoning behind their decision to omit the career mode from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, opting instead for the timed challenge format found in the third installment.
Design Philosophy Behind the Decision
The announcement in March that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 would not include the career mode from the fourth game was met with disappointment from many fans. Instead, players will experience the timed challenges format consistent with the first three games in the series.
Design Director Mike Rossi explained the studio’s approach to this significant change. Rossi stated that they examined both games carefully, acknowledging that Pro Skater 3 was highly regarded within the franchise. When looking at Pro Skater 4, they recognised its differences but wanted to determine its essential qualities.
Rossi emphasised that their ultimate goal was to create the definitive package combining both games. The team ultimately decided that aligning the format more closely with Pro Skater 3 would deliver a more cohesive experience overall.
A Difficult Choice
According to Rossi, this decision was not taken lightly, especially knowing that dedicated Pro Skater 4 enthusiasts would be disappointed by the absence of the career mode in the remaster. The team experienced considerable anxiety about modifying such a fundamental aspect of a beloved game.
Despite these concerns, Rossi maintained that the change ultimately benefits the titles as they exist together, which he considers the most important factor in the remastering process.
Compromise Through Extended Timer
Although the career mode has been removed, players won’t be restricted to the standard two-minute timer from the original games. The remaster will allow players to extend the timer up to 60 minutes, providing ample opportunity to execute impressive tricks and complete challenges.
Rossi mentioned that this adjustment came in response to online feedback indicating that many players found the original two-minute timer limiting and wanted additional time.
The more objective-focused approach to the Pro Skater 4 remaster represents a significant shift from the original game. However, with challenges from the original game implemented within this new time format, the remaster offers players a fresh opportunity to test their virtual skating abilities.