Wow, two skateboarding articles within just a few days found in the mainstream media.  You can’t beat that.  Tony Hawk, doing an interview with the other less significant LAT, the Los Angeles Times, talks about his upcoming video game with Activision.  Can you believe that he’s been in the video game, game, for about ten years now?  That’s crazy.  He’s released about a game a year I suspect. 

As you probably already know, video games generate billions of dollars annually and Tony’s games have definitely contributed its share.  Even shmo’s such as myself who usually could care less about video games got really into the Tony Hawk Pro Skater series.  I used to cut class to play Pro Skater at the Virgin Megastore in Hollywood for six hours straight.  I must say I got pretty good at it regularly scoring a million points.  That’s how savant I am. 

But those games didn’t just have a (positive) impact on me as a kid cutting class, but for thousands of skaters everywhere improving on their shred skillz.  You can’t deny that those games had some kind of influence on how skaters skate today with all the noseslide, to manual, to kickflip out renditions.  Sometimes when watching some of the videos today, I could swear I’ve seen runs reminiscent on Tony Hawk Pro Skater. 

Check out the article over at the LA TIMES.  If any skater were to reach a billion dollar net worth, it would have to be Tony.  He or Willy Manaloto Santos.  But not because of his skating, but for his acting chops.  That’s right, I have to give another shout out to my favorite skateboard film of all time, THE SKATEBOARD KID II. 

MTV and Target teamed up with Ubisoft to present the videogame with a huge launch party this past Tuesday at one of Hollywood’s coolest SHINY SHIRT Clubs, on the ever so SHINY SHIRT street, Sunset Blvd. Shaun White was the guest of honor. And in perfect theme with the night, all was “White”… the ladies, REAL snow, an antler chandelier and even a polar bear! The venue was decked with a snow lodge feel, open bars, and Shaun White Snowboarding video game stations throughout for all to test drive.

MTV’s reality TV show’s whose IT list was out in full form. Audrina from The Hills (never heard of her), Tila Tequila (Myspace chick?), Kelly Osbourne (dating LUKE HOWELL) and pro skater, Bam Margera were just a few of the celeb faces seen out in the crowd supporting the new video game launch. Check out some pics HERE.