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

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

Sequel Shelved Due to Perceived Underperformance of Predecessor

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 titles resulted in the project's cancellation and reallocation of resources.

Robertson's report details the game's early concepts, including a villainous children's school setting and the return of familiar antagonists. Concept art even showcased Spyro, another Toys for Bob revival success, as a playable character alongside Crash, battling an interdimensional threat affecting both their worlds. Robertson stated that "Crash and Spyro were intended to be the two playable characters."

The cancellation rumors initially surfaced from a former Toys for Bob concept artist, Nicholas Kole, on X. Robertson's report suggests that Crash Bandicoot 4's perceived underperformance further contributed to Activision's decision.

Activision's Focus on Live Service Impacts Other Franchises

Activision's strategic shift wasn't limited to Crash Bandicoot. Robertson's reporting also indicates that a pitch for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, a sequel to the successful remakes, was rejected. Vicarious Visions, the studio behind the remakes, was subsequently absorbed into Activision and reassigned to work on major franchises like Call of Duty and Diablo.

Tony Hawk himself confirmed the existence of plans for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 in Robertson's report, stating that development was underway until Vicarious Visions' integration into Activision. He explained that Activision struggled to find a suitable studio to continue the remakes after the absorption of Vicarious Visions, ultimately leading to the project's demise.