A recent report reveals that Activision initially approved the development of a single-player Crash Bandicoot 5 but later canceled it due to what they deemed underwhelming sales of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time. Despite selling over five million copies, the sales figures did not meet Activision’s expectations, leading to the project’s termination.
The information comes from a video by YouTuber and gaming historian Liam Robertson, who delves into the behind-the-scenes decisions at developer Toys For Bob.
According to Robertson’s report, Crash Bandicoot 5 was envisioned as a direct sequel to Crash Bandicoot 4, incorporating elements such as classic villains and levels inspired by previous games like Crash Twinsanity.
The planned game also included intriguing concepts such as exploring characters’ psyches and potentially featuring a crossover with Spyro The Dragon. The sequel would have allowed players to control both Crash and Spyro, with their worlds facing a multiversal threat together.
The cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5 occurred around the same period that Activision also scrapped a single-player Tony Hawk Pro Skater game. Following these decisions, Toys For Bob, the developer behind the Crash Bandicoot series, was redirected to work on Crash Team Rumble, a multiplayer spin-off that ultimately did not achieve lasting success.
After the layoff and restructuring following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Toys For Bob became an independent studio. Despite these changes and the discontinuation of their previous projects, the studio recently signed a deal with Xbox to create a new game, which leaves the door open for future developments in the Crash or Spyro franchises.
In summary, while Crash Bandicoot 5 and other projects were halted due to shifting priorities at Activision, the legacy of the series and the studio’s new ventures suggest that the beloved characters may yet see new adventures in the future.
