Microsoft has quietly removed Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 from the July Xbox Game Pass lineup without any official explanation. The game was initially announced as a highlight for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass on July 21.

What Happened

When Xbox first revealed the July Game Pass lineup, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 was featured at the top of the list. However, the post on Xbox Wire was later updated, adding a note at the bottom stating that the game had been removed from the upcoming titles list. No reason was provided, and no replacement game was announced. The game's cover art was also taken out of the announcement graphics.

Sequel Remains Unaffected

This decision only impacts the first game. The sequel, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, was added to Game Pass on launch day last year and remains available on the service. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 originally launched in 2020 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and later in 2021 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch, which predates Microsoft's acquisition of Activision.

Possible Reasons

Since Microsoft hasn't shared any details, the reasoning is all speculation for now. One possible cause is licensing issues: the game includes music and sponsor licenses, and if these expire, the title sometimes has to be removed from stores completely — this has happened to older Forza Horizon games before. Another theory relates to Game Pass growth struggles. According to court documents, Xbox had aimed for 77 million subscribers by now, but the actual number is less than half that, and has dropped further after recent price hikes. Still, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is not a third-party game; it's published under Microsoft's own label, so this theory doesn't fully add up.

Context: A Challenging Period for the Franchise

Shortly before the release of 3+4, developer Iron Galaxy went through layoffs, including the lead developer, casting doubt on the future of the franchise. Tony Hawk has previously expressed his ambition to remake the fan-favorite Underground game, but said the decision isn't up to him. This news also coincides with Xbox's major restructuring that affected 3,200 employees; CEO Asha Sharma stated that no officially announced first-party games or projects were canceled as part of the cuts. Technically, removing a game from Game Pass isn't a cancellation, but the timing is notable.

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Even though the game is no longer on Game Pass, you can still purchase it directly from the Microsoft Store. If you want to top up your account without sharing credit card details, you can use a Windows and Microsoft Store gift card to buy the game instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 been canceled completely?

No, the game itself has not been canceled. Only the plan to add it to Game Pass was withdrawn; it is still available for direct purchase from stores.

Will 3+4 also be removed from Game Pass?

Not at this time. Microsoft has only pulled 1+2 from the lineup; 3+4 remains available on the service.

When will the reason be announced?

It's unclear. Microsoft hasn't provided any explanation so far, and it's unknown if they will make any further statements.