OlliOlli Developer Roll7 Ready To Consider More Skateboarding Games

"You've got to be excited about these things"

by Liam Doolan Mon 18th Feb 2019

The OlliOlli games by Roll7 were somewhat of a tribute to classic skateboarding titles such as the Tony Hawk Pro Skater series, which was once the leader of this insanely popular genre. Of course, OlliOlli is also one of the few skateboarding video games taking a 2D design approach to the genre, essentially carving out its own niche.

If you thought the release of OlliOlli: Switch Stance was the last we would see of these games, this might not be the case. In a recent interview with Eurogamer, the co-founders of Roll7 Simon Bennett and John Ribbins spoke about how they apparently had unfinished business with the series.

Simon said to "watch this space" and went on to explain how they are still invested in the area of skateboarding:

"We had an amazing time with LaserLeague, and were super happy with what we did there. But the skating hasn't gone away, we're still invested in that area. We needed a break, but we're ready to look at it again. You've got to be excited about these things, because it's such a commitment."

John added to this, describing how when the second game was completed, they originally said "no more skating games ever" but this is no longer the case. According to Ribbins, if a follow-up was to happen, it would end like OlliOlli2, but the journey would apparently be longer.

Would you like to see more OlliOlli games from Roll7? Have you played the double-pack on Switch? Tell us in the comments.

[source eurogamer.net]

1
zander_dale
Mon 18th Feb 2019

Was talking to my mate last night as he played “fine again” by seether on his guitar, that we need another skateboarding / snowboarding game. And I desperately want one on switch - a 3D one though really... (the two that are already out do not tick the box for me).

2
JayJ
Mon 18th Feb 2019

I wish Tony Hawk wouldn't be a reference with OlliOlli because it is nothing like that, not even close. OlliOlli is a rhythm game, but that said this developer is clearly quite capable so I would like to see what they can do with something that allows more freedom.

3
nofriendo
Mon 18th Feb 2019

@JayJ I've heard this said a few times now and I don't really see it. I'm a big fan of the game, and none of the gameplay has anything to do with hitting buttons in time with music. It's simply a side-scrolling skateboarding game, where you have to grind and trick your way to a high score on each level. What it does share in common with rhythm games is it gets quite difficult to time your tricks at speed in the more complex environments. But you are not chained to a particular speed or a musical grid at any point.

4
JayJ
Mon 18th Feb 2019

@nofriendo Rhythm games are not limited to music games, this is very similar to an auto-runner. Once you start moving you are more or less moving at a set pace and the gameplay is all about timing with the on-screen action. You don't have any environmental exploration, it isn't about creatively finding spots to do tricks or anything that the Tony Hawk games did. OlliOlli is a completely different kind of game. It is great that you like it but we need to be honest about the type of game that it is. It's just a rhythm game with a skateboarding theme.