Bam Margera Return to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is official

The skateboarding world just got a major dose of nostalgia with the announcement that Bam Margera is officially returning to the upcoming Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 remake. For fans of the franchise, Margera’s inclusion is more than just a roster update—it’s a celebration of skate culture, rebellion, and the golden era of extreme sports gaming.

Margera first appeared in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, quickly becoming a fan favorite with his unique style and wild personality. His presence continued in THPS 4, where he not only skated but also handed out missions, adding an extra layer of fun to the game. Over the years, his involvement in the series cemented his status as one of the most recognizable figures in skateboarding video games.

However, when THPS 3+4 was announced earlier this year, fans noticed something troubling—Margera was missing from the initial playable lineup. Speculation ran wild, with many assuming his absence was due to past legal and personal struggles. But thanks to Tony Hawk himself, Margera was brought back into the game, proving that his legacy in the franchise is too significant to ignore.

Margera’s return wasn’t just a simple addition—it was a last-minute decision that required Activision to fly him out for body scanning and motion capture. According to reports, Hawk personally insisted that Margera be included, making sure his longtime friend and fellow skater had a place in the remake.

In a recent interview, Margera expressed his excitement about being back in the game, stating that his passion for skateboarding has returned. After years of personal struggles, he’s found himself back on the board, skating alongside Hawk once again. His inclusion in THPS 3+4 isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about redemption and rekindling his love for the sport.

What to Expect from Bam Margera in THPS 3+4

Margera will be available as a secret skater, meaning players will have to unlock him rather than having him available from the start. This adds an extra layer of excitement, making his presence feel like a reward for dedicated fans.

The game itself promises to be a faithful recreation of the original classics, with modern improvements that enhance gameplay while keeping the spirit of the originals intact. From tight controls to new levels like Water Park, THPS 3+4 is shaping up to be a must-play for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Bam Margera’s return to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is more than just a character addition—it’s a statement. It’s a reminder of the era when skateboarding was at its peak in pop culture, when rebellious energy fueled the sport, and when video games captured the essence of skating in a way that few others could.

With the game set to release on July 11, 2025, fans won’t have to wait long to relive the glory days of THPS. Whether you’re grinding rails, pulling off insane combos, or just enjoying the legendary soundtrack, one thing is certain—Bam is back, and skateboarding is better for it.

A new Palworld patch was an undesired effect from Nintendo

Palworld, the monster-collecting survival game that took the gaming world by storm, is undergoing yet another transformation. Pocketpair, the studio behind the game, has announced a significant change in response to its ongoing legal battle with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The latest update, Patch v0.5.5, removes the ability to glide using Pals, replacing it with a standard glider item.

This decision follows previous adjustments made in Patch v0.3.11, which eliminated the ability to summon Pals by throwing Pal Spheres—a mechanic that bore a striking resemblance to Pokémon’s Poké Balls. While many expected the lawsuit to focus on character designs, Nintendo’s legal action has instead targeted gameplay mechanics, citing patent infringements related to creature-catching and traversal systems.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the continued support of our fans over the past few months. We apologize for not being able to share as much information as we would like, but we trust our fans understand how difficult it is to be fully transparent while litigation is ongoing.

Currently, we remain involved in prolonged legal proceedings regarding alleged patent infringement. We continue to dispute these claims and assert the invalidity of the patents in question. However, we have had to make certain compromises in order to avoid disruptions to the development and distribution of Palworld.

On November 30th, 2024, we released Patch v0.3.11 for Palworld. This patch removed the ability to summon Pals by throwing Pal Spheres and instead changed it to a static summon next to the player. Several other game mechanics were also changed with this patch. As many have speculated, these changes were indeed a result of the ongoing litigation. Everyone here at Pocketpair was disappointed that this adjustment had to be made, and we fully understand that many players feel the same frustration. Unfortunately, as the alternative would have led to an even greater deterioration of the gameplay experience for players, it was determined that this change was necessary.

Furthermore, we regret to inform our players that with the implementation of Patch v0.5.5, we must make yet another compromise. From this patch onward, gliding will be performed using a glider rather than with Pals. Pals in the player’s team will still provide passive buffs to gliding, but players will now need to have a glider in their inventory in order to glide.

We understand that this will be disappointing for many, just as it is for us, but we hope our fans understand that these changes are necessary in order to prevent further disruptions to the development of Palworld.

We also want to extend our apologies to our fans for the discomfort and concern this ongoing litigation has caused.

We remain committed to developing Palworld and delivering exciting new content to our fans.
On behalf of everyone at Pocketpair and Team Palworld, thank you again for your continued support.

For players, this change alters one of Palworld’s most unique traversal mechanics. Previously, players could summon certain Pals to glide across landscapes, adding a dynamic and immersive element to exploration. Now, gliding will require a separate glider item, though Pals will still provide passive buffs to enhance the experience.

Pocketpair acknowledged that this adjustment would be disappointing for many fans but emphasized that it was necessary to “prevent further disruptions to the development of Palworld”. The studio has been transparent about its legal struggles, stating that these compromises are essential to ensuring the game’s continued availability and growth.

Nintendo’s lawsuit against Pocketpair, filed in September 2024, has sparked broader discussions about the use of patents in the gaming industry. While Nintendo argues that Palworld infringes on multiple patents, critics worry that such legal battles could set a precedent for larger companies using litigation to stifle competition.

Despite these challenges, Pocketpair remains committed to developing and expanding Palworld. The studio has reassured players that more updates and content are on the way, even as it navigates legal hurdles.

What’s Next for Palworld?

While the removal of Pal gliding is a setback, Pocketpair’s willingness to adapt suggests that Palworld will continue to evolve. The studio’s new publishing division, Pocketpair Publishing, aims to support indie developers, demonstrating its resilience and commitment to the gaming community.

As the legal battle unfolds, players can expect further adjustments to Palworld’s mechanics. Whether these changes will satisfy Nintendo’s legal claims remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Pocketpair is determined to keep Palworld alive and thriving.

The FTC loses appeal to be granted a injunction against Microsoft & ABK but, is a Game Over?

After nearly two years of legal battles, regulatory hurdles, and intense scrutiny, Microsoft has emerged victorious in its fight to acquire Activision Blizzard. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which had been one of the most vocal opponents of the deal, recently lost its appeal against an injunction that sought to block the acquisition. This marks the definitive end of the FTC’s legal challenge and clears the path for Microsoft to fully integrate Activision Blizzard into its gaming empire.

Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard was announced in January 2022, sending shockwaves through the gaming industry. The deal promised to bring some of the most iconic gaming franchises—such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Diablo—under Microsoft’s umbrella. However, regulators worldwide raised concerns about potential anti-competitive practices, particularly regarding Microsoft’s control over cloud gaming, subscription services, and console exclusivity.

The FTC was one of the most aggressive challengers to the deal. It argued that Microsoft’s ownership of Activision Blizzard could lead to unfair market advantages, such as making Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox or degrading its quality on rival platforms like PlayStation. The agency sought a preliminary injunction to halt the acquisition while it pursued further legal action.

The Legal Struggle: Microsoft vs. The FTC

In July 2023, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley of the Northern District of California ruled against the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction, stating that the agency had failed to prove that the merger would substantially lessen competition. The FTC then appealed the decision to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, hoping to overturn the ruling and extend the temporary restraining order preventing Microsoft from closing the deal.

However, the appellate court unanimously ruled in favor of Microsoft, affirming that the district court had applied the correct legal standards in its decision. The judges found that the FTC had not sufficiently demonstrated that Microsoft would foreclose competition in the console, subscription, or cloud gaming markets. They also noted that Activision Blizzard had historically resisted putting its games on subscription services, meaning that Microsoft’s acquisition would actually introduce new content to that market rather than restrict it.

The Fallout: What This Means for Gaming

With the FTC’s appeal denied, Microsoft is now free to finalize its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in the U.S. The company had already secured approvals from regulators in the European Union, Japan, and Brazil, leaving the FTC and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as the last major obstacles. While the CMA initially blocked the deal, Microsoft later reached an agreement with the UK regulator, allowing the acquisition to proceed.

Interestingly, Microsoft’s post-acquisition strategy has defied expectations. Instead of making Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox, the company has embraced a multiplatform approach, bringing its games to PlayStation and even Nintendo consoles. This shift suggests that Microsoft is prioritizing broader accessibility and revenue generation over exclusivity.

The FTC’s loss in court marks the end of a long and contentious battle over Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. While the agency had legitimate concerns about market competition, the courts ultimately found that the merger would not substantially harm consumers or rival companies. As Microsoft moves forward with integrating Activision Blizzard, the gaming industry will be watching closely to see how this historic deal reshapes the landscape.