Crash Bandicoot 5 Would've Had Spyro As Playable Character

Activision's shift towards live-service games reportedly led to the cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5, a project initially under development at Toys for Bob. This decision, according to gaming historian Liam Robertson, stemmed from Crash Bandicoot 4's perceived underperformance and Activision's prioritization of multiplayer titles.

Toys for Bob, the studio responsible for the Crash Bandicoot series' resurgence, had already begun conceptualizing Crash Bandicoot 5, a single-player 3D platformer designed as a direct sequel. Early development included story outlines and concept art, revealing a villainous children's school setting and the inclusion of returning antagonists. Remarkably, Spyro, another PlayStation icon revived by Toys for Bob, was slated to be a playable character alongside Crash, battling an interdimensional threat endangering both their worlds. Concept art depicting this collaboration has surfaced.

Hints of the cancellation first emerged from former Toys for Bob concept artist Nicholas Kole on X. Robertson's report further corroborates this, emphasizing Activision's strategic move away from single-player sequels in favor of live-service games.

This strategic shift wasn't limited to Crash Bandicoot. A proposed Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, a sequel to the successful remakes, was also rejected by Activision. Vicarious Visions, the studio behind the remakes, was subsequently reassigned to work on Activision's major franchises, including Call of Duty and Diablo, effectively ending the planned sequel. Tony Hawk himself confirmed the existence of these plans, highlighting Activision's difficulty in finding a suitable replacement studio to continue the series. The publisher ultimately deemed no alternative pitches satisfactory, resulting in the project's termination. This illustrates Activision's broader commitment to live-service models at the expense of single-player game development.