As we get closer to the launch of the PS3 excitement is starting to build on the latest game in the Tony Hawk series, Tony Hawk's Project 8. Brian Blight, Project 8's Project Director, says all the old code used in previous games is history with the next generation of game systems taking over. Anticipation for this game among most players is for it to be something other than a remake of Tony Hawk American Wasteland or Underground and that it will have more realism instead of being a cartoonish version of the game.

It's looking like they have been listening. Bright says this game is a huge leap over the previous Hawk games with graphics as detailed as any PS3 (or XBox 360) game deserves, in particular regarding the scanned pro skaters. Am, Pro, and Sick levels are still there, now driven by motion capture video ( a layered animation system that provides animations that dynamically react to the physics of the skater."). Other features include:

# 'Momentum' driven skater physics where carving bowls and bombing hills help you score more points

# Cool, streaming environment with skate lines flowing in all directions

# Rag Doll Bails with their own series of goals that you can easily control

# Online Leaderboards for several goals in the game.

# A new online game type called 'Walls'

# Nail the Trick - revolutionary new mechanic that gives the gameplay a real twist

Sounds like fans of the series have a lot to look foward to when it hits this fall. More details as they come.