Tony Hawk DS

[monkeyDluffy]

IGN have a small hands on, sounds/looks sweet and they have a couple of gameplay vids!

http://ds.ign.com/articles/661/661073p1.html

7 full licenced songs as well not a great amount but good with all the other stuff and 60 FPS. :D

[Jordan]

Also, you can apparently download skate parks each week and rack up points to go into a huge worldwide table.

[Stocka]

It sounds pretty good, downloadable content too.

[skarmachild]

Online Details


"We really think online on handhelds is going to change everything, it's the next big thing," claims Bala. "It's inexpensive, you don't need your own broadband service. Lots of people are going to step up to the plate [and start playing online.] We're really proud to be the first online 3rd party on DS and one of the first online overall."

With such lofty sentiments at heart, Vicarious Visions didn't hold back with multiplayer features. The team that handled the multiplayer was the same team that programmed the multiplayer component for the Xbox version of Doom 3, so their netcode should be sharp. The online play itself comes in the form of head-to-head matches, which are either matchmade or private. Once you sign into the online service, you'll have access to a list of your friends that are online and given the option to join a game with any of them. Upon doing so, the two of you will be placed in a free skate "waiting room" with text chat while whoever is hosting the game sets up the options. Game types include The Price is Wrong, which has both players trying to get as close as possible to (but not above!) a specific score; Horse, the classic Tony Hawk game of one-upmanship; Combo Mambo, which has each player trying to outdo the other with the biggest single combo; Graffiti, in which you can bust out your homemade tag to try to spray more of the city; a straight score competition, and a few other.

If you like, you can also record custom sound clips for your character to exclaim whenever you complete a special move, complete a gap transfer, or bail. Each one of those can have a unique recording, and it will be broadcast to your opponent when you perform the corresponding move. The developers anticipate some... colorful slogans.

Vicarious Visions is going all out to create an online community for Sk8land. In addition to the Nintendo-run gameplay servers, Vicarious Visions will be operating a site at AmericanSk8land.com (not yet operational) that tracks player scores and statistics, shares user-created graphics, and hosts player-recorded replays. Let's go through that one by one. First of all, there will be online leaderboards and score databases, similar to what Bungie has for Halo 2 over Xbox Live. You'll be able to access that information through a web browser on your PC or directly through your DS. Players can also save their board designs and graffiti designs to the server, and download those created by other players for their own use.

So let's say you're browsing through those leaderboards, and you simply cannot accept that some guy got 12 million points in a single combo. Well, now you'll be able to download the replay of the game in which he scored that combo, so you can see for yourself how he did it. The community server will host these replays, which can then be downloaded to players' systems, where they can play head-to-head against a ghosted version of that replay. Bala notes that replays will serve multiple purposes: to maintain credibility if players are accused of submitting hacked scores to the server, to give beginners a unique way to learn from the masters, and of course simply to show off. Considering how frighteningly impressive the best Tony players are, it should be interesting what kid of replays enjoy heavy circulation.

You can also form a Crew (aka clan) with your friends, which will cause your standings to contribute to your Crew's score and which will allow you to challenge members of other Crews to head-to-head ranked battles. The top Crews will be featured on both the game's site and Nintendo's site. The Sk8land site will also contain various community features such as moderated forums.

Somewhat surprisingly, Vicarious Visions also plans to keep the game regularly updated with free downloadable content in the form of new missions, new score challenges, and so on. They will download straight to free space allocated on the cartridge, so once you've gotten a piece of content you won't need to stream it again. The developers have anticipated that there will be Tony veterans who master the game quite quickly, so they already have at least six months of new content planned. "If people like it, we'll make more," said Bala. "There's a lot to do with this game."

Bala considers Tony Hawk's American Sk8land to be the first game that truly takes advantage of all of the DS' features. He cites full consistent 3D, streaming environments, touch screen use, microphone use, local wireless, online support, spatial sound positioning, voice acting, a full soundtrack, and downloadable content as evidence of this. Vicarious Visions definitely put a lot of thought and effort into ensuring that the game makes good use of the system's hardware, while not letting the system's hardware interfere with solid game design.

Despite the DS' surprisingly strong lineup of late, with a library that seems to be getting stronger all the time, most would probably agree that the best of the system's gems are the more unique and daring titles. It's not exactly the system of choice for home console spinoffs and ports. With Tony Hawk's American Sk8land, however, Vicarious Visions seems to be hitting on a nice compromise of mainstream accessibility and good use of the system's hardware features. And, of course, online never hurts. Tony Hawk's American Sk8land will be released simultaneously with the launch of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on November 14 for Nintendo DS (in America). The Game Boy Advance version is already in stores.

[skarmachild]

General Details (had to double post since it was too many words):

I recently had the chance to spend some time with Tony Hawk's American Sk8land (DS), Vicarious Visions' handheld spinoff of Neversoft's Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (PS2, Xbox, GCN, X360). I was also able to chat for a bit with Vicarious Visions CEO Karthik Bala, who explained some of the considerations and decisions that went into developing the game for DS.

Traditionally, the handheld counterparts to Neversoft's venerable skating franchise have been handled by Vicarious Visions--and, like, the full console Tony Hawk games, once they got the formula nailed down they didn't change it up too much. Since Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 on Game Boy Advance, each iteration of the series has seen another GBA version living up to the high standard of quality set by the original game (though Shaba Games also produced Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix for PSP). That's not necessarily changing this time around; Vicarious Visions is still developing another GBA Tony Hawk title, but for Nintendo's newer DS hardware, the studio went back to the drawing board. Among other reasons, the game is particularly notable for being the first third-party title to make use of the upcoming Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection online service, and the second overall after Mario Kart DS. Make sure to read onto the second page of this preview for the most comprehensive look at the online features of Tony Hawk's American Sk8land you'll find in any preview.

"This is something of a departure from our previous handheld [Tony Hawk titles]. We wanted a new experience for DS from the ground up," said Bala. Early on, the game divorced itself from the Tony Hawk's American Wasteland name. From a fundamental gameplay perspective, however, fans of the home console versions of Tony Hawk will feel a lot more at home with American Sk8land than they might with the GBA versions. The game is set in a full 3D world, and plays like you'd expect a full Tony Hawk experience to play. That said, the game does not quite continue in the tradition of the last few Tony Hawk games, with their increasingly involved story elements. Rather, the game very much harkens back to the days of Tony Hawk's Pro Skaters 1-4. This is in part because one design principle of Sk8land, reached after looking over the series and at what players most enjoy, was in Bala's words: "Never get off your skateboard."

To that end, the game is much more streamlined than its current-day cousins. You can ride around talking to everybody, picking up missions while working through the levels, or you can simply choose from your list of goals. It does exactly what a handheld title should do, which is what the DS is rapidly becoming known for as a solid portable gaming platform: the game is straightforward and accessible enough that it can be picked up and put down quickly if time is not permitting, but it is also deep enough to sustain play for hours at a time. And believe me, I should know. I was left alone with the game for a few hours, and I passed up the opportunity to play the next game at the preview event because I was still engrossed in Sk8land. Of course, the next game was Shrek SuperSlam, but you get the point.

American Sk8land is rendered in a flat-shaded style that allows a fully 3d world to run at a constant smooth 60 frames per second on DS hardware, while still looking very attractive. As with many games using that visual technique, the game looks much better in motion than it does in still screenshots, which tend to emphasize jagged edges. Controlling the game feels as natural as you'd expect, and since games such as Tony Hawk are most geared towards d-pad control instead of analog stick control (I really can't bring myself to play a console version of Tony with anything but a PS2 controller) the DS layout works just fine. I had a Tony 2 flashback when instinctively executing a Kickflip to Indy, which has got to be the absolute slowest trick of all time but which for some maddening reason is solidly ingrained into my fingers' muscle memory. I couldn't even tell you what the button combination is, I just know it's responsible for innumerable lost points and hundreds of wipeouts. All the skateboard tricks from the entire series are present in the game, as well as the additions from American Wasteland such as Natas Spins, Bert Slides, and some new types of transfers. The game also features the slow-motion Focus Mode found in Wasteland, used after filling up your Focus Meter by completing combos. When in focus mode, the game applies a well-executed motion blur effect.

The second screen has a variety of uses throughout the game. Most of the time, it contains your level map, as well as your current objectives. If you bail while in the midst of a particularly high scoring combo, you'll go into Freak Out! mode, during which the screen presents three cylinders which quickly rise and fall. Tapping them all at their peaks will allow you to save at least some of the points you would have otherwise lost. Once you mess it up once, you'll understand how it works. There's also an interesting touch screen feature that makes special moves (which are generally more difficult to remember than regular tricks) more accessible to Tony newcomers. When your character's special meter is full, icons will appear on the touch screen corresponding to the various special moves available to you at that moment, if any. Touching an icon will execute that special move. Tony enthusiasts will probably find little need for the feature, and of course special moves can still be performed manually. The touch screen is also used for the Create-A-Skater mode, long a staple of the franchise. After configuring your skater's clothing, haircut, and so on, you can draw your own pattern to adorn your deck, and you can create a custom graffiti tag.

The game's storyline itself is somewhat inspired by the 80s punk setting of American Wasteland, but Sk8land puts much more of a tongue-in-cheek spin on it. Bala explained the aesthetic by comparing the game's story to cheesy 80s cartoons--"You know how in the 80s, even Mr. T had his own cartoon show?" Stylistically, the semi-animated storyboard-like cutscenes are very similar to those of the recent Ultimate Spider-Man (DS), also by Vicarious Visions, though the artwork in this game is more evocative of cartoon animation than the superhero comic book style. Like the console game, Sk8land still has you building a skate park by completing various missions, but this game's cutscenes are filled with cameos from the huge roster of professional skaters Tony Hawk games are known for, each of whom recorded their own voiceovers for their in-game selves. Unlike American Wasteland's fictional gang of rag-tag counterculture skaters, the story in Sk8land is driven by Tony Hawk himself, who "discovers" the player and employs him to help rebuild an old indoor skate park that has fallen into disrepair. Longtime Tony veterans will recognize the arena as the classic Warehouse level from back in the day.

Though the only mission-based level I got to explore in much depth was the first one, Bala was quick to note that "the levels are just huge." The game makes use of streaming technology to allow for larger levels than one would expect on the DS. Unlike American Wasteland, which is set solely in Los Angeles, Sk8land features locations from around the state of California--again, more in line with the varied environments of older Tony games. There's a Classic Mode too, which is pure old-school Tony; you have a time limit during which you must complete various goals--achieve high scores, collect letters, and so on.

[Stefkov]

he first part you put donw ammaezed me, six months of downloadable content already. i havnt played a tony hawks game fully since po skater 2 on the GBA, this seems like its gonna be great, so much time and effort, they're gonna have forums, clan tables wow. hell yeh im gonna get this

[Triple_C]

I was previously unsure about this game, I thought it was just another stupid remake, but its really taking form. This will be a game for Christmas certainly.

Check out the screens:


http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/656/656242/tony-hawks-american-sk8land-20051005042405498.jpg

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/656/656242/tony-hawks-american-sk8land-20051005042406029.jpg

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/656/656242/tony-hawks-american-sk8land-20051005042406404.jpg

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/656/656242/tony-hawks-american-sk8land-20051005042406779.jpg

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/656/656242/tony-hawks-american-sk8land-20051005042407123.jpg

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/648/648625/tony-hawks-american-sk8land-20050907013527544.jpg

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/648/648625/tony-hawks-american-sk8land-20050907013527887.jpg

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/648/648625/tony-hawks-american-sk8land-20050907013528231.jpg

The graphic are cool aren't they?

[Stefkov]

i do like the look of that, the cel shading looks great. its like that game XIII, that was a cool looking game, and your right Triple_C a must for christmas

[Triple_C]

Erm.....ummmm...... Sorry, but what is XIII?

[Ramar]

Played Tony Hawks 4 and THUG, I was really into skating at one point too. I may have to give this a go, looks fantastic, and the online play sounds awesome.

[Strider]

I was previously unsure about this game, I thought it was just another stupid remake, but its really taking form. This will be a game for Christmas certainly.

Check out the screens:

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/656/656242/tony-hawks-american-sk8land-20051005042406404.jpg


The graphic are cool aren't they?


Yes they are.....apart from that one, reminds me of one of those cheap online flash games you get.

[Triple_C]

Yeah it does, a bit. But even so the rest is cool.

[Stefkov]

Erm.....ummmm...... Sorry, but what is XIII?


roman numerals for 13, its a game i think on all formats, its pretty good like goldeneye, i dont know how to explain really but its cel shaded

[LukeLee]

i'm sure ign said the graffiti mode wasnt in, but on that article you posted they said it is and you can design your own graffiti tags. I hope it's in anyway.

[Triple_C]

I know it is 13. Just wondering what type of game it was. Which generation is it for? This? Or last?

[Stefkov]

yeah that graffiti thing sounds awesome, making your own is a really good thing in the game

[monkeyDluffy]

the preview/review on ds-x2

http://www.ds-x2.com/index.php?id=4363

the online modes sounding sweeter and sweeter :D

[Triple_C]

It was in THUG 2. It was very very hard to do.

[monkeyDluffy]

I know it is 13. Just wondering what type of game it was. Which generation is it for? This? Or last?

Was a FPS, had some nice cartoon effects and graphics for GC,xbox, etc.

[Stefkov]

yeah its was for this generation, played pretty nicley, liked the cutscene- esque things where when you shot someone with a sniper it went like a comic book when it shows different parts,

[Goron_3]

I want this game NOW!!! GIMME GIMME GIMME!!!!! The online downloadable content sounds great! This and Mario Kart will be amazing! :hehe:

[Owen]

Also, you can apparently download skate parks each week and rack up points to go into a huge worldwide table.

Cool! Quite pleased i'm getting it now and going online! :hehe:

[Triple_C]

yeah its was for this generation, played pretty nicley, liked the cutscene- esque things where when you shot someone with a sniper it went like a comic book when it shows different parts,
I have a game voucher for it, it should buy it.

[BigTac]

Now just imagine what Nintendo could do with Metroid Prime:Hunters

[demonmike04]

Holy...a worldwide table and downloadable parks?
NOW IM DEFINITLY IN!

I remember only seeing a leaked image of this a while ago...It didnt look good in the photo but now im seeing these final images coming in, I like what I see.

[Darv]

I have a game voucher for it, it should buy it.

Yes, it's a good game and I'm hoping they do a sequel!

[Colin]

I haven't brought a Tony Hawks game since THPS2. I'm really looking forward to this after after reading that preview on page 1 of this thread, and it seems like this game sets out to do more with the DS online than Mario Kart does.

The downloadable content is what's going to keep people playing and coming back to the game.

I'm also loving the style of the graphics, which makes a change from the usual Tony Hawks colour pallete, although like it's been mentioned before, the cell-shading is more benificial in displaying the 3D world at 60fps.

The date in Europe is still marked as the 18th November pretty much everywhere, so hopefully we'll be playing online with our DS's before Mario Kart.

[Stefkov]

I have a game voucher for it, it should buy it.

its alright if its cheap then get it but if its not wait, cos it aint worth £40 in my opinion

[Goron_3]

My favourite Tony Hawk game was THPS 4 but this looks in a different league!
It's good to see developers working hard on the DS, making the games stand out and pushing the console to its limits :smile:

[Mimternet]

I'm really looking forward to Tony Hawk. It was always a good game and I preferred the older style above the newer one. To have this game and all of those options plus online multiplayer is simply amazing in my opinion. This, Mario Kart and Animal Crossing are my most anticipated games of the year, by far.

[monkeyDluffy]

according to nintendo uk website wifi faq section on the main page, tony hawk is due out a week before mario kart on the 18th, I guess wifi won't start until 25th, hope not! Now play.com GET IT ON PRE-ORDER!

[Colin]

100% confirmed from the horse's mouth that'll it'll be released on 18th November.

http://www.nintendo-europe.com/NOE/en/GB/news/article.do?elementId=7Taz7QPMmx7B_L4PfSNfVUa-pbnjWn1u

So you'll be able to play online from Tony Hawks release I'm assuming.

[dazzybee]

I doubt youll be able to play it online until MArio Kart comes out to be honest, I bet NIntendo are working hard just get it up and running in time for MK's release. Just means we get an extra bit of practice before online thats all. Good that there'll be two games online within a week though!

[Waylander]

This looks and sounds great. I havent played a Tony Hawk game since part 3.

[Force]

I doubt youll be able to play it online until MArio Kart comes out to be honest, I bet NIntendo are working hard just get it up and running in time for MK's release. Just means we get an extra bit of practice before online thats all. Good that there'll be two games online within a week though!

Well, both Mario Kart and Tony Hawk's American Sk8land are coming out in the states November 14th and both will be online the same day. I don't see any reasons why it shouldn't be online November 18th in Europe.

[Stefkov]

yeah i think i heard that activisio( is that whos making it) are setting up their own server for the online game. so this should go online straight away on the 18th. unless nintendo want mario kart to be the first so theyve asked the ceators to not let online begin untill mario kart is out

[Charlie]

yeah i think i heard that activisio( is that whos making it) are setting up their own server for the online game. so this should go online straight away on the 18th. unless nintendo want mario kart to be the first so theyve asked the ceators to not let online begin untill mario kart is out

yeah, they are. They're also collecting loads of stats on the game and you'll be able to see how you've done like Bungie have done with Halo 2.
(Was it in this thread I saw this?)