Spyro Almost Cast as Playable Char in 'Crash Bandicoot 5'

Activision's shift towards live-service games reportedly led to the cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5, a project already in early development at Toys for Bob. A recent report by gaming historian Liam Robertson details how the studio, known for revitalizing the Crash Bandicoot franchise, had begun conceptualizing Crash Bandicoot 5 as a single-player 3D platformer, a direct sequel to Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time.

The purported underperformance of Crash Bandicoot 4 contributed to Activision's decision, leading to the reallocation of resources towards live-service titles. Robertson's report includes conceptual art and story details, revealing a planned villainous children's school setting and the surprising inclusion of Spyro as a playable character alongside Crash, battling an interdimensional threat impacting both their worlds. Concept art showcases Crash and Spyro fighting together. This collaborative adventure was a core element of the planned game.

The cancellation wasn't isolated to Crash Bandicoot. Robertson also reports that a pitch for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, a follow-up to the successful remakes, was rejected by Activision. Vicarious Visions, the studio behind the remakes, was absorbed into Activision, halting development and leaving the future of the Tony Hawk remakes uncertain. Tony Hawk himself confirmed that plans for 3+4 existed until Vicarious Visions' absorption, and Activision's dissatisfaction with alternative studio pitches ultimately killed the project. Activision's prioritization of live-service games resulted in the cancellation of both sequels, highlighting a larger industry trend. The loss of these single-player titles underscores Activision's strategic shift away from traditional game development models.