
Watch This Unused Motion Capture Footage From the Original Development of Tony Hawk Pro Skater
Kinda makes us wish mo-cap suit Tony was a secret costume.
Even though we won't be getting a true follow up any time soon, Tony Hawk has been more than happy to celebrate this month's 20th anniversary of the original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Today on Twitter, Hawk posted a clip of a motion capture session from all the way back in 1999.
In keeping with the THPS 20th anniversary, here is our motion capture session from 1999. We didn’t end up using any of this data because there wasn’t enough time to program it into the final game, but at least I got to do a bunch of hard tricks while wearing an embarrassing suit. pic.twitter.com/pHw09SX3tg
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) September 3, 2019
Though the original Pro Skater is remembered today for its accessible arcade gameplay, this clip from a making-of documentary speaks to how committed Neversoft and Hawk were to making a video game with an authentic claim to skateboarding style and culture. Maybe the physics were far from realistic, but the tricks were supposed to look the part. "Sometimes you'll see something, even animated, and you can tell who they've animated it after," Hawk says in the video. "Once they do it to motion capture, it's obvious."
We'd love to see a side-by-side comparison of the tricks Hawk performs here in the halfpipe while wearing a motion capture suit, but as Hawk himself notes in the tweet, none of the data used during the session was incorporated into the final game's animations. If the trick animations do match up perfectly, then that'd be a testament to the talent of Neversoft's 1999 animation team working from video reference or by hand.
For more on the 20th anniversary of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, read USG's feature on how the games industry at-large remembers the game. And if you want more, here's our oral history of Tony Hawk Underground.
In other news
Xbox Is Hosting a Space Jam Game Jam Design Contest
We got a real (game) jam goin' now.
3
EA Agrees to $1.2 Billion Deal for Codemasters, Take-Two Now Reconsidering Its Lower Bid
Two publishing giants want the makers of the Dirt and Formula One games.
Windjammers 2 Delayed To 2021 As Devs Explore Adding Rollback Netcode
In pursuit of a disc-flinging esports renaissance, Dotemu's leaving this sequel in the oven a bit longer.
1
NC Dinos Celebrate First Korean Series Title, Hoist Video Game Sword
You call a cup a trophy? This is a trophy.
1
Need help?
FIFA 20 Best Young Players: Hidden Gems and Wonderkids With High Potential
Here’s a list of the players that have the most to gain in overall rating.
Madden 20 Face of the Franchise Tips - Teams, How to Get Drafted, and More
Here's our walkthrough for Madden 20's Face of the Franchise mode, featuring all the NFL teams, how to get drafted, and more.
All the Best Madden 20 Offensive Money Plays
Here's our guide compiling all the best Madden 20 money plays in one place, so you know which run or pass play to call whenever.
Madden 20: The Best Offensive Playbooks to Use
This is our walkthrough of the best Madden 20 offensive playbooks you can always rely on.
Newsletter
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters
Get the best of USG in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters.