Crash Bandicoot Game Canceled Featured Playable Spyro

Activision's shift towards live-service games reportedly led to the cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5, a project in development at Toys for Bob. This article explores the reasons behind the cancellation and Activision's broader strategic move towards live-service titles.

Crash Bandicoot 5: A Casualty of the Live-Service Model

Insufficient Performance of Crash Bandicoot 4

Gaming historian Liam Robertson revealed that Crash Bandicoot 5, a planned single-player 3D platformer sequel to Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, was in early development at Toys for Bob. However, Activision's prioritization of live-service games resulted in the project's cancellation and reallocation of resources.

Toys for Bob, known for revitalizing the Crash Bandicoot franchise, had begun conceptualizing Crash Bandicoot 5, set in a villainous children's school and featuring returning antagonists. Early concept art even showcased Spyro, another PlayStation icon revived by Toys for Bob, as a playable character alongside Crash, battling an interdimensional threat. Robertson stated, "Crash and Spyro were intended to be the two playable characters."

The cancellation was hinted at earlier by former Toys for Bob concept artist Nicholas Kole. Robertson's report suggests that Crash Bandicoot 4's perceived underperformance further contributed to Activision's decision.

Activision's Rejection of Single-Player Sequel Pitches

Activision's focus on live-service games impacted other franchises. A proposed sequel to the successful Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 remake, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, was also 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 the planned 3+4 remakes in Robertson's report, explaining that the project was abandoned after Vicarious Visions' integration into Activision. He added that Activision solicited pitches for the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater title from other studios but ultimately rejected them due to dissatisfaction.

This highlights Activision's strategic shift and its impact on beloved single-player franchises.