It’s been rough and challenging road for the Tony Hawk franchise as of recent, but now they’ve decided to take the franchise in an entry new “digital” direction.

Onstage at the VGA pre-show, Tony Hawk revealed Tony Hawk Pro-Skater HD, an high-definition combination of the first two games. It’s a download only title, and should be able “sometime before the summer.”

That’s right. According to a twitter post made by Tony Hawk himself, he’ll be showing of Tony Hawk Ride, the newest installment in to the Tony Hawk frachise, at the Microsoft E3 Keynote in LA tomorrow.

“Just practiced my part for Microsoft’s E3 keynote tomorrow (introducing #thride),” said Hawk. “First time I’ve ever had to wear make-up for a rehearsal.”

Well, it looks like someone on the Xbox Team is going to be humiliated during the MS keynote, much like what happened at the Nintendo Keynote last year – but not you Tony, we’ll be fine.

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.

When releasing a new Tony Hawk title nine years in a row, Activision took 2008 off to institute calling it a part of their ‘innovation plan’ for there Tony Hawk series. But, ever since then they have been very ‘no talk’ on the title, but, boy, does time pass and now it seems that we finally get new – rumored – details on the next Tony Hawk title.

When speaking to Variety’s The Cut Scene blog, two anonymous sources, who have reportedly have seen the game first-hand, said that the next Tony Hawk title will abandon controllers altogether, but instead it will be using ‘board-like’ peripheral, which sounds alot like what the Wii’s Balance Board did in Skate it for the Wii.

These sources say that the game will not be so much about requiring precise balancing, but the focus will be more on “grabbing and manipulating the board” to perform tricks. They also say that the Wii version will be getting a Board also, instead of the the Wii’s Balance Board.

These sources also corroborated the rumor that Robomodo – a new development studio primarily formed by ex-members of EA Chicago – are developing both the game and making the new peripheral.

In 2007, EA’s Skate had proven itself to be a true competitor for Activision’s popular and long-running skate series, Tony Hawk, but what does this year hold for the title? Can EA and Black Box once again claim the crown for best skating title ever made?

Well, it looks like we are going to have to wait and see, but lucky we do not have to wait that long because according to Microsoft’s Xbox site, a Skate 2 demo will be available come January 8 via the “Download & Win” program, which is a sweepstake.

There are two ways to register for this Sweepstakes. Registering online before the close of the Promotion Period, which is between 3:01 A.M. ET on January 8 and 11:55 P.M. ET on January 15, 2009, or register for the Sweepstakes via Xbox LIVE Marketplace by downloading the free Skate 2 Demo Registration Gamer Picture. Sadly there is still no word on the PlayStation demo.

As Electronic Arts and Black Box finish work on Skate 2 they will need to stop and think about where their title is going. That is why, the game’s associate producer for environments, Shaun Laker, told MTV how they’re planning to avoid the “Tony Hawk syndrome.”

“As long as we keep putting out great games and don’t rush it out and polish it and make sure we’re listening to the community and hearing what they’re having to say [we will avoid that],” said Laker.

“A big part of it too — and what drove our features this year — is we were finding out how people played the game. We know people play the game to find their own spot and to own it to be able to call it their own. This year, you can go and do that, and in a community, you can share it. That’s how we stay fresh and we don’t go too far; we listen to the community and know what they’re asking for and respond to that.”

We all have dreams, and sometimes they can be a bit crazy, but what is the influence behind the kick and push game Skate 2? In an interview with G4 Patrick Duffy, a pro skater at EA’s Skate 2 event, was asked what “influence did [he] have on Skate 2?” He returned with an answer saying:

“All the skaters, myself included, had some input on what the storyline should be, where we should go, what San Vanelona should look like now, and all that. It all came together pretty awesome, I think, you know what I mean? The whole premise is that the city is dilapidated and skating is outlawed. Most of the skaters are in jail. It’s up to you to come back up and make skating cool again!”

I know the “crazy dreams” thing doesn’t make much sense to you right now, but here’s a better look into it.

The reporter in reaction says, “storyline was taken from crazy dreams you guys had?” Duffy says, “it was a collaboration — a brainstorm that combined everyone’s dream.” Then the reporter returns saying, “the storyline is from a lot of people’s drunken dreams about skateboarding?” And Duffy comes back saying, “Exactly, but it wasn’t just dreams. It was drunken realities too.”

Lets face it when it comes to Skating games Skate, altogether, is the best over all, even the early hands-on reports of Skate 2 it was called better then the last. It’s even keeping Tony Hawk under a rock because he hasn’t shown his head since Project 8. EA has also reported that the game has outsold Tony Hawk 2:1 – more like 3:1 now – in a fisical year report. Anyway, Black Box has finally revealed the official release date for Skate 2.

Black Box, an Electronic Arts announced today that Skate 2, the sequel to the genre-defining original game will hit retailers in North America on January 21st, 2009 and worldwide on January 23rd, 2009 – making it one of the first must-have games of 2009. For those in North America anxious to shred the streets in blaring style can pre-order now for an exclusive code to unlock the Throwback Pack, a special upgrade pack that includes retro clothing, accessories and gestures.

Skate 2 ups the ante in delivering all the grit, creativity and culture of skateboarding with all-new tricks that allow players to truly skate it their way – on and off the board. Skate 2 is developed by Black Box, a studio of Electronic Arts in Vancouver, British Columbia and will be available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system.

[Video Gallery For Skate 2 At TestFreaks]

Well, Guitar Hero: World Tour has been out for over a week now and Activision has given us a little gift that’s sure to make fanboys happy. We all have seen the last Guitar Hero commercial with A-Rod, Kobe Bryant, Tony Hawk and Michael Phelps. Now, in the latest Guitar Hero: World Tour commercial Heidi Klum, go Heidi!, dances around in her underwear to “that old time rock n roll.” The video is called the slightly naughtier version of the commercial and is said to be Brett Ratner’s personal “director’s cut”, but if you ask me there both just as funny.

“It seems like Heidi Klum is going back to her risky roots with her “Risky Business” shirt-and-underwear style Guitar Hero commercial. This slightly naughtier version is Brett Ratner’s personal “director’s cut.” Were all waiting to see if there are more takes hes still holding on to.”

We got some new details on games that you may not have heard from in a while, the details include new Guitar Hero: World Tour details an details on the unannounced Rock Band game. Take a look at all the  great new details thanks to a member of NeoGAF.

• Guitar Hero: World Tour will cost $179.99 with all instruments and the game.

• Guitar Hero: World Tour’s guitar features a touch sensitive guitar neck slidethat opens up the entire guitar neck for unbound solos.

•Gutar Hero: World Tour artists include Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, System of a Down, Ozzy Osbourne, Interpol, Muse "and dozens more".

• Tony Hawk’s Adrenaline is a game coming to the PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360 that uses a sensing board controller.

• A game called Ultimate Band is coming to the PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, and Wii.

• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 features over 20 Marvel Legends such as the Hulk, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Venom, and the Human Torch.

• Spider-Man vs. Marvel Zombies is coming to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii and well feature Spider-Man saving the worlds from a zombie menace threatening to destroy the world. The game takes place in 2149.

• Transformers 2: The Ultimate Battle is another game coming to every system imaginable. It brings you beyond the movie into pressure-packed missions where seconds can make a difference between survival and destruction. You can switch between robot, weapon, and vehicle modes at any time.

[NeoGAF]

Shortly after you won Skater of the Year, your character disappeared. No one knows what happened to him, but the skaters of San Vanelona hope he’ll come back. And they need you. In the past five years, the cops have cracked down on skaters. Caps were put on rails to make it almost impossible to grind and "No Skating" signs are everywhere.

San Vanelona was once a paradise for skaters. Now it’s their worst nightmare.

[Skate 2 Leaps Forward Five Years via IGN]