Tony Hawk responds to ‘Pro Skater’ soundtrack backlash

Tony Hawk has responded to backlash over Pro Skater 3+4’s soundtrack, which only features a handful of classic anthems.

• READ MORE: How Tony Hawk’s ‘Pro Skater’ soundtracks are fuelling a Gen Z skate revival

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 launched last week, bringing the two classic skate games to modern-day consoles. The updated games features a new roster of skaters, rebuilt levels and a whole new soundtrack.

When the full soundtrack for Pro Skater 3+4 was announced back in May, fans were furious that only 10 classic tracks had made the cut. “I’m hoping that discovery is half the fun, and a big reason that these soundtracks resonated in the first place. So listen and enjoy the ride,” Hawk said at the time, defending the music of the new game.

In a new interview, Hawk has responded to the ongoing backlash. “These days, just what I think fits and what I’m interested in [makes the soundtrack],” he told the BBC before adding that he wasn’t “the only decider” in the process.

“I did manage to throw a couple of bands in that I was stoked on – Fontaines D.C., Idles. I also picked songs by artists that were already in the game, but a different song,” he continued, with seven OG artists (KRS-One, Agent Orange, The Cult, De La Soul, Iron Maiden, Sex Pistols and Toy Dolls) contributing a new song to the game.

“Not everyone agreed with that decision, but I feel like ‘let’s keep it fresh’ and also ‘here’s help discovering other music’. In the beginning that’s what people expected of it – once the soundtrack was a prominent part of the game, people were like ‘ok’ what are you going to throw at us now’, almost like an underground radio show.”

Last month, Alien Ant Farm said they were “disappointed” that ‘Wish’ had been cut from Pro Skater 3+4 after originally featuring in Pro Skater 3.

“I wasn’t zeroing in on them per say,” said Hawk. “We’re trying to make room for new acts and new songs as well. Not everything makes the cut. It’s nothing personal, and I appreciate that people have a fondness for that song especially in relation to our game, so you know, just fire it up on your streaming service if you’re so inclined.”

In other news, Tennis ace Taylor Fritz says his Wimbledon success is down to playing League Of Legends.

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