Spyro the Dragon Rumored to Join Bandicoot Lineup in Canceled Game

Activision's pivot to live-service games reportedly led to the cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5, a project already in early development at Toys for Bob. This revelation comes from gaming historian Liam Robertson, who details how the studio, known for its Crash Bandicoot revival, had begun conceptualizing a single-player sequel to Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time.

The purported Crash Bandicoot 5, a 3D platformer, was set in a villainous children's school and featured returning antagonists. Concept art even showcased Spyro, another Toys for Bob revitalized character, as a playable character alongside Crash, battling an interdimensional threat. Robertson states, "Crash and Spyro were intended to be the two playable characters." This corroborates a previous hint from former Toys for Bob concept artist Nicholas Kole.

Activision's shift away from single-player titles isn't limited to Crash Bandicoot. Robertson also reports 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 absorbed into Activision, effectively ending plans for the sequel. Tony Hawk himself confirmed that 3+4 was in the works until Vicarious Visions' integration into Activision, and that subsequent pitches for the project from other studios were unsatisfactory. The decision highlights Activision's strategic focus on their core franchises and live-service models, at the expense of single-player sequels to beloved titles. The images below depict some of the proposed concept art for the canceled game.