Yearly updates to the Tony Hawk videogame skating franchise continue, as Activision has announced the latest in the series, Tony Hawk's Proving Ground. How will gamers flog the equine corpse with this entry? By focusing on character customization and the (ew) lifestyle aspects of professional skateboarding. Tony Hawk's Cribs? Sounds like it.

That's right, Neversoft is bringing us the "largest, deepest and most compelling Tony Hawk game ever" by providing gamers with a series of tools that will allow players to deck out their own Skate Lounge, record their own "epic skate videos" and creating a customized storyline. Actually, the skate video editor looks fairly robust, so I'll keep the curmudgeon grumbling to a minimum.

It's coming to everything, of course, with PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Wii and Nintendo DS versions planned. What? No PSP port? How 'bout that!

Tony Hawk's Press Release Adventure after the jump! Michael McWhertor

ACTIVISION'S TONY HAWK'S PROVING GROUND EMPOWERS GAMERS TO CREATE THEIR PERSONAL SKATING LEGACY

#1 Best-Selling Action Sports Franchise Redefines Skateboarding Genre With Unprecedented Freedom and Control

Santa Monica, CA - May 14, 2007 - It's time for gamers to command their skating destiny in Tony Hawk's Proving Ground from Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI). For the first time, gamers will have the freedom to define their character, story and style based on the choices they make, the paths they choose and the style of skating they use on the proving grounds from Philadelphia and Baltimore to Washington, D.C.

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground features deeper customization than ever before, including a Video Editor with full-featured editing tools and visual effects for creating "epic skate videos," and a fully customizable online Skate Lounge where players can skate with friends in the ultimate pad. In addition, players will have the freedom to skate from single player to online seamlessly, as well as utilize new gameplay mechanics such as skateable terrain altering and building, and Bowl Carving, delivering the most empowered skating experience ever. Tony Hawk's Proving Ground also features even more Nail the Trick moves such as Nail the Grab and Nail the Manual intensifying the thrill of pulling off big tricks.

"Tony Hawk's Proving Ground drops players into the skateboarding world like never before," said Joel Jewett, president of Neversoft. "This is the largest, deepest and most compelling Tony Hawk game ever. You can skate the best lines, define your own style and produce your own videos. You can even take it further by tricking out your own Skate Lounge, where you can hang out and skate with others online. Proving Ground will throw you so deep into the lifestyle of skateboarding that you won't be able to get out. Hands down, it's the most exciting Tony Hawk title yet."

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground is in development by Neversoft for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Wii home video game system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and Nintendo DS . The game is not yet rated by the ESRB and is scheduled for release later this year.

About Tony Hawk, Inc.

Tony Hawk, Inc. is a world leader in its field with the unprecedented ability to bring alternative sports and their unique lifestyle to the masses while maintaining an indispensable edge of authenticity with the market's hard-core, trendsetting audience. Founded by Tony Hawk in 1998 and based in Vista, CA, the company is organized into five segments: Merchandising, Events, Endorsements, Film and Digital Media. These lifestyle sports include skateboarding, BMX, Motocross, surfing and snowboarding. Consumer goods bearing the Tony Hawk brand have dominated several markets, including interactive games, skateboard hard goods, lifestyle apparel, toys, publications and more.

About Activision, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.47 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain, the Netherlands and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.