Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, the highly anticipated remake of Activision's popular skateboarding series, will see the return of skater Bam Margera, thanks to the intervention of Tony Hawk. When the game was first announced earlier this month, it was teased with a mix of new and old skaters. At the last minute, Margera’s inclusion was made possible after Hawk fought to get him back in the fold.
Margera, a familiar face from the original releases of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 on the PS2, had not been featured in the series since Tony Hawk's Proving Ground in 2007. While he still didn’t end up on the roster for the remaster of THPS 1+2 in 2020. His absence can be traced back to previous run-ins with the law and addiction issues. At first Activision was reluctant to feature him in the new game.
Tony Hawk stepped in, arguing that Margera’s work to go to rehab and stay sober were grounds for his reinstatement. Hawk was not only impressed with Margera’s personal journey, he was committed to getting him back into the game. His advocacy was key in shifting Activision’s decision.
“Hey, we’re putting Bam in the thing,” said Tony Hawk, reinforcing his commitment to seeing Margera rejoin the series.
For fans who remember Margera’s contribution to the original games, his return is exciting in more ways than one. His participation in the forthcoming remake is part and parcel of the developers’ attempts to combine nostalgia with new material. The games roster is a chance to recognize the games history and roots but bring in and attract a new generations of gamers.