E3 2002: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 screens and info

Activision has announced the first details of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 and released first screenshots from the Xbox version of the game. The company promises an all-new, nonlinear career mode that lets players challenge pro skateboarders head-to-head to beat their tricks, take part in a competition, or skate solo to achieve single level goals. The levels will also be more interactive and dynamic and will change depending on the specific skater's goals and accomplishments. Players will also be able to toggle different skate elements on and off, like quarter pipes, benches, or kickers, to change up lines. Players will start the game as an amateur and then work their way up to the professional world by unlocking their pro's special challenge. Additionally, developer Neversoft is working on balancing and improving the physics system, including more realistic balancing, bails, and board dynamics.

The game will also include a skate park editor, but it will now let players set objectives like high scores or hidden tapes on their own. The game will feature a total of 12 professional skateboarders besides Tony Hawk himself, including Elissa Steamer, Jamie Thomas, Rodney Mullen, Eric Koston, Steve Caballero, Andrew Reynolds, Rune Gilfberg, Geoff Rowley, Bam Margera, Kareem Campbell, Bucky Lasek, and Bob Burnquist.

The game is being developed by Neversoft, the studio that created the previous Tony Hawk games, and is scheduled for a release on the Xbox this fall.