Vancouver, British Columbia – September 15, 2009 – EA today revealed the next title in the company’s landmark skateboarding franchise: SKATE 3, and confirmed that it will ship in May 2010. SKATE 3 breaks new ground by taking all of the camaraderie and competitive excitement of real-life skateboarding and brings it to the hands of gamers. Whether online or offline, players can now team up to build the ultimate skate crew in the definitive skateboarding co-op experience. In SKATE 3, players take part in team-based challenges, compete against rival crews and leave their mark on the all-new skater’s paradise, Port Carverton.

“The social and community aspects of the SKATE franchise are something we’ve always embraced, but we’ve never done anything to the scale you’re going to see in SKATE 3,” said Senior Producer, Jason DeLong. “We’re giving gamers a very unique experience by providing them with the tools they need to build their ultimate team or to create a team comprised entirely of their online friends. From there, it’s all about proving yourself – teaming up, and throwing down.”

Players who pre-order SKATE 3 get an unlock code that gives them exclusive access to the iconic Black Box Distribution Skate Park, home turf of Zero, Mystery, and Fallen skate teams. Black Box Distribution was founded in 2000 by Jamie Thomas, and houses and distributes some of skateboarding’s biggest selling brands. Pre-orders are available now at the EA Store or at participating retailers nationwide.

SKATE 3 features an all-new co-op mode where teammates can complete challenges together while advancing each other’s careers. From rewarding epic bails and fails with a beefed up Hall of Meat mode to honing your craft with the all-new skate.School, players of all skill levels have multiple ways to “kill it” in the game. The franchise also continues to raise the bar for user created content with the skate. Create feature suite, an innovative toolset that empowers gamers to truly express their skate style by creating their own graphics, videos, and skate parks.

SKATE 3 is being developed by Black Box, an Electronic Arts studio. SKATE 3 will be released on PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system in May 2010.  More information can be found at the Official Site or follow us on Twitter at Hippyjump.

This fall players will be able to experience skateboarding like never before in Tony Hawk: RIDE from Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) is expected to release by November 17th. For the first time, players will have the ability to physically play the game using an innovative motion sensing skateboard controller, allowing for unprecedented freedom and movement. Tony Hawk: RIDE focuses on innovation and fun, bringing the #1 best-selling action-sports franchise to the forefront with cutting-edge technology for the hardcore fans and accessibility for the mass audience.

“Tony Hawk: RIDE is a massive step forward for the franchise and the gaming industry as a whole,” said Rob Kostich, head of marketing, global brand management, Activision Publishing, Inc. “The skateboard controller will redefine sports games by offering players a true skateboarding experience, hands-free, playing with friends and family at home or online in a variety of different locations.”

“This is the game I’ve always wanted to make,” said Tony Hawk, who has been directly involved with development of the project. “Playing on the board is unlike any other game, and I’m excited for everyone to have the chance to feel what it’s really like to experience the true feeling of skateboarding.”

Tony Hawk: RIDE features a wireless skateboard controller designed in conjunction with the game to offer a dynamic gaming experience built from the ground up. Using a combination of accelerometers and motion sensors, the intuitive controller allows players to physically control the action by performing various movements and gestures on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game. Without complex button combinations or analog sticks, gamers of all skill levels can literally step on the board and play!

Tony Hawk: RIDE is in development by Robomodo for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system. Buzz Monkey is developing the Wii(TM) system version. The game is not yet rated by the ESRB and is scheduled for release later this year.

For more information on Tony Hawk: RIDE, please visit www.THRide.com.

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.

Photo Courtesy of ESPN

First Sports-Based Feature Film in Digital 3D Highlights
Action Sports Icons

Los Angeles, Calif. — ESPN and Disney will release the first sports-themed 3D film this summer with a special, limited one-week theatrical run starting August 21. ESPN Films will produce and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures will distribute X Games 3D the Movie nationwide into digital 3D theaters around the country. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Steve Lawrence (Down the Barrel), the film will use groundbreaking digital 3D techniques to immerse sports fans into the world of action sports and its top stars.  Iconic action sports personalities chronicled in the film are: Shaun White, Travis Pastrana, Danny Way, Ricky Carmichael and Bob Burnquist.

“ESPN is extremely proud to join Disney in bringing the 3D experience to action sports fans,” said Ron Semiao, senior vice president, ESPN Films. “The proximity of the cameras to the action combined with the amazing performances by the athletes provides a jaw-dropping, storytelling encounter for fans of all ages.”

Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group, said, “There is absolutely no sporting event better suited for the Digital 3D medium than X Games.  ESPN continues to break boundaries by using digital 3D to put sports fans literally in the center of the action: preparing to launch down the big air ramp with Danny Way, racing downhill on Shaun White’s snowboard and flying through the air in Travis Pastrana’s Rally car.  And Disney is proud to add X Games 3D the Movie to its robust, industry-leading slate of 17 other upcoming Disney Digital 3D™ releases.”

The full-length feature film will capture the drama and spectacle that play out every year at the X Games events and will also tell the stories of the featured athletes showing the sacrifices they make in pursuit of glory and progressing their sport on the industry’s biggest stage.

“I’m excited to be involved with ESPN and Disney on this project,” said Shaun White, X Games and Olympic gold medalist. “I think the style of filming will bring something new to viewers.”

Featured athletes:

• Shaun White (Skateboard, Snowboard) – Reigning Winter X Games Snowboard SuperPipe gold medalist; seven-time Winter X Games Snowboard gold medalist; X Games 13 Skateboard Vert gold medalist; 2006 Winter Olympic gold medalist.
• Travis Pastrana (Moto X, Rally Car Racing) – Fourteen-time X Games medalist, nine of which are gold, for Moto X and Rally Car Racing; X Games 14 Rally Car Racing gold medalist.
• Danny Way (Skateboard) – Four-time X Games Skateboard Big Air medalist and pioneer of the Big Air ramp
• Ricky Carmichael (Moto X) – X Games 13 Moto X Racing gold medalist; 10-time AMA Motocross Champion; five-time AMA Supercross Champion; 102 AMA Motocross/Lites Wins.
• Bob Burnquist (Skateboard) – Four-time X Games Skateboard Vert gold medalist; X Games 13 Big Air gold medalist

By City of Durham, Press Release:

Durham Parks and Recreation will hold a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the new downtown skateboard park during the Earth Day Festival this Saturday. The ceremony will be held at the Eco Lounge on the Orange Street Mall at 2 p.m. as a part of the Skate-able Art and Skateboarding Demonstration conducted by Nik Spaulding, owner of Ujamaa Boardhouse.

• The skateboard park will be located at 502 Foster Street in Durham Central Park and will open later this year.
• The park was designed by Pillar Design Studios and will cost approximately $350,000.
• The project was funded through a combination of impact fees and 2005 general obligation bonds.
• The park will be a 10,000 square foot poured-in-place concrete public skateboard park. It will consist of both a quality engaging street area and transitional area with a bowl.
• Features include a floating quarter pipe, launch boxes, step-up bank, 3-seven step stairs with handrails, a street clam, and an 8 inch trog bowl.
• Construction is scheduled to begin in May and is projected to be substantially complete in October.

The Earth Day Festival will be held at the CCB Plaza and historic Parrish Street on Saturday, April 25 from 12 noon – 5 p.m. For more information about Earth Day, visit www.DurhamEarthDay.org. For information about the groundbreaking, contact Cynthia Booth at (919) 560-4355.

About Durham Parks and Recreation

Durham Parks and Recreation provides opportunities for the Durham community to “Play More.” The department strives to help citizens discover, explore and enjoy life through creative and challenging recreational choices that contribute to their physical, emotional and social health. To learn more about Durham Parks and Recreation, visit the department’s website at http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/parks.

LOS ANGELES (October 27, 2008)—The LG Action Sports World Championships (LG World Championships) is excited to announce that a line-up of the 2008 season’s most elite action sports athletes is confirmed to compete in Seattle for the most prestigious title of the year. From October 31 – November 2 at Seattle’s KeyArena 150 of the world’s best pros in Skateboard, BMX, and Inline Skating will vie for their share of the $600,000 purse and title of LG Action Sports World Champion.

The defending LG Action Sports World Champion in Skateboard Vert, Pierre-Luc Gagnon (Montreal, Canada), has claimed all the most notable titles this season (the Maloof Money Cup, the X Games and the Mountain Dew Cup) and plans to top it off with the 2008 LG World Championship title. However, he’ll have to overcome challenges from Bucky Lasek (Baltimore, Maryland), 17 year-old sensation Alex Perelson (San Diego, Calif.), Bob Burnquist (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and San Diego’s Andy MacDonald to name just a few. Skateboard Vert prelims take place on Saturday afternoon, with the finals on Sunday.

BMX Vert will feature a tough competition as all the competitors chase the top man of the last four years, 37 year-old Jamie Bestwick (Nottingham, England). Bestwick will be going for his fifth consecutive LG World Championships. Challenging him during the Saturday evening final will be a talented group of bikers including Simon Tabron (Newquay, England), Chad Kagy (Gilroy, Calif.), Jimmy Walker (Chicago, Illinois), Melbourne, Australia’s Steven McCann, and Paso Robles, California’s John Parker.

Rodolfo Ramos of Cascavel-Pavel, Brazil returns to the LG World Championships hoping to repeat his 2007 performance as the Skateboard Street champion. He’ll face a strong field of street skaters, including Paul Rodriguez (Chatsworth, Calif.), Greg Lutzka (Milwaukee, Wis.), Danilo do Rosario (Curitiba), and Austen Seaholm (Anaheim, Calif.). Prelims and finals take place on Sunday afternoon. Daniel Dhers (Caracas, Venezuela), Craig Mast (Warren, Ohio), Rob Darden (Greenville, SC), Ryan Guettler (Queensland, Australia), and Garrett Reynolds (Toms River, New Jersey), top the list of BMX Street competitors looking to dethrone the 2007 world champion Morgan Wade of Tyler, Texas. The BMX Street action begins on Friday, with the finals following on Saturday afternoon. The Inline Skating world will be represented by the superstar pros in both Vert and Street, as well as in Women’s Street.

A complete roster of athletes for each contest can be found on the event web site at www.lgactionsports.com.

Tickets for the LG Action Sports World Championships include daily concerts by The Game (Friday evening), MxPx (Saturday afternoon), Pennywise (Saturday night) and Hoobastank (Sunday afternoon), and sponsor village activities. Tickets can be purchased at the KeyArena Box Office, via Ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 206 628 0123 to charge them by phone. Three-day reserved seats packages are also available at discounted rates through www.ticketmaster.com or at the KeyArena Box Office.