Xbox Gamers Urge Microsoft: Bring Back Beloved Old-School Activision Open World Series & More!

Highlights

Xbox enthusiasts are filled with anticipation, hoping for the revival of beloved games such as True Crime: Streets of LA, Tony Hawk's Underground, and Blur. They eagerly await the possibility of experiencing these titles once again through backward compatibility, remakes, or remasters.

Due to licensing issues and Microsoft's lack of interest in expanding the backward compatibility program, it is unlikely that these titles will be available on modern platforms anytime soon. However, Microsoft is close to finalizing the acquisition of Activision, which will grant them control over all the company's gaming franchises. This presents an opportunity for Xbox fans to potentially see a revival of their favorite Activision games, as Microsoft will not only have control over future releases but also gain access to the extensive back catalog of titles.

Activision, once recognized for its diverse range of games, is now primarily associated with its popular first-person shooter franchise, Call of Duty. However, there was a time when the company released a wider variety of titles, including skateboarding games, platformers, and open-world crime games that drew inspiration from Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series. Although Microsoft's acquisition of Activision does not guarantee the revival of these dormant franchises, it does increase the chances, albeit to a certain extent.

More specifically, Xbox gamers have expressed their desire to see the return of older Activision-published titles such as True Crime: Streets of LA, True Crime: New York City, the Tony Hawk's Underground series, and Blur on the Xbox Series X. Some fans wish for these games to be added to the Xbox backward compatibility program, while others prefer to see them receive remakes or remasters. While it is possible that Xbox could potentially resurrect some of these older Activision games, fans should not hold their breath in anticipation.

Licensing issues and Microsoft's lack of adding games to the Xbox backward compatibility program pose significant obstacles to making these games available again. It is highly unlikely that these titles will be released on modern platforms in the near future. Although remasters or remakes are a possibility, Activision seems uninterested in reviving the classic Tony Hawk games beyond Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2. Tony Hawk himself confirmed that plans for Pro Skater 3 and 4 remakes were abandoned.

However, Activision has expressed interest in Microsoft allowing them to revive some of their abandoned franchises, specifically mentioning Guitar Hero and Skylanders. While there are some indications that Skylanders may make a comeback, it is unclear if it will include the toys-to-life gimmick. Fans will have to wait and see what unfolds.

Fans and critics alike have applauded Sleeping Dogs, a 2012 open world crime game that was initially intended as a sequel to True Crime. However, after Activision abandoned the project, Square Enix revived it as an original IP. For those seeking a comparable True Crime experience, Sleeping Dogs is a must-check-out.