Spyro Was Nearly Playable in Crashed 5, Concept Art Revealed

Activision's pivot to live-service games reportedly led to the cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5. This article delves into the reasons behind the cancellation, explores the game's potential features, and examines Activision's broader shift towards live-service models.

Activision's Live-Service Focus Cancels Crash Bandicoot 5

Crash Bandicoot 4's Performance Impacts Sequel Development

Gaming historian Liam Robertson, from DidYouKnowGaming, reports that Toys for Bob, the studio behind the Skylanders series and the Crash Bandicoot revival, had begun pre-production on Crash Bandicoot 5. However, the project was scrapped due to Activision's redirection of resources towards live-service multiplayer games.

Toys for Bob, responsible for the successful relaunch of the Crash Bandicoot franchise, had assembled a team to develop a single-player 3D platformer, a direct sequel to Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time.

Robertson's report details proposed storylines and concept art. The game was set in a villainous children's academy and would have featured returning antagonists.

Concept art showcased Spyro, another PlayStation icon revitalized by Toys for Bob, fighting alongside Crash against an interdimensional threat. Robertson states, "Crash and Spyro were intended to be the two playable characters."

Former Toys for Bob concept artist Nicholas Kole hinted at the cancellation on X a month prior to Robertson's report. The report suggests Activision's decision stemmed from the shift towards live-service games and Crash Bandicoot 4's perceived underperformance.

Activision Rejects Pitches for Other Single-Player Titles

Activision's prioritization of live-service games also impacted other franchises. Robertson reports that a pitch for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, a sequel to the successful Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 remake, was rejected. Vicarious Visions, the studio behind the remakes, was subsequently absorbed into Activision and reassigned to work on Call of Duty and Diablo.

Tony Hawk himself confirmed in Robertson's report that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 was planned until Vicarious Visions' absorption. Hawk explains, "That was the plan...We were doing 3 and 4, and then Vicarious got kind of absorbed...and then it was over."

Hawk further clarifies, "The truth of it is [Activision] were trying to find somebody to do 3 and 4, but they just didn’t really trust anyone the way they did Vicarious. So they took other pitches...and they didn’t like anything they heard, and then that was it."