Neversoft

Neversoft
source
Name	Neversoft
Founded	0 1994
Founder	Mick West, Chris Ward
Defunct	0 2014
Location	Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
Key people	Joel Jewett, Scott Pease
Parent	Activision (1999–2014)
Industry	Video game industry

Neversoft. An American video game developer founded in 1994, best known for creating the influential Tony Hawk's skateboarding game series and later for its work on the Guitar Hero franchise. The studio, based in Woodland Hills, California, became a subsidiary of Activision in 1999 and operated for two decades before being merged into fellow Activision studio Infinity Ward in 2014. Neversoft's work was characterized by pioneering 3D gameplay mechanics, strong licensed soundtracks, and a significant impact on both the extreme sports and music video game genres.

History

Neversoft was founded in July 1994 by programmers Mick West and Chris Ward, who had previously worked together at Malibu Interactive. The studio's first major project was the PlayStation and Sega Saturn title *Skeleton Warriors*, based on the CBS animated series. Their breakthrough came with the 1999 release of *Tony Hawk's Pro Skater* for PlayStation, developed in collaboration with publisher Activision and designer Robomodo. This success led to Activision acquiring Neversoft later that year. Throughout the early 2000s, the studio was the primary developer for the *Tony Hawk's* series, including acclaimed titles like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. Following the conclusion of their work on the *Tony Hawk: Ride* and *Shred* projects, Neversoft transitioned to the Guitar Hero series, taking over development from Harmonix and producing several mainline entries.

Games developed

The studio's portfolio is dominated by its two flagship franchises. For the *Tony Hawk's* series, key releases include the foundational *Tony Hawk's Pro Skater*, its highly praised sequel Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, and the first PlayStation 2 installment, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. Later entries included Tony Hawk's Underground, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, and the motion-controlled Tony Hawk: Ride. After 2009, Neversoft shifted focus to the Guitar Hero franchise, developing Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Guitar Hero: Metallica, Guitar Hero 5, and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. Earlier titles included the *Apocalypse* game starring Bruce Willis and a *Spider-Man* game for the PlayStation. Their final independent project was the first-person shooter *Gun*, released in 2005.

Merger with Infinity Ward

By 2014, the commercial performance of the Guitar Hero and *Tony Hawk's* series had declined. In a consolidation move by parent company Activision, it was announced in May 2014 that Neversoft would be merged with fellow studio Infinity Ward, the primary developer behind the *Call of Duty* series, specifically the *Modern Warfare* sub-franchise. The Neversoft studio in Woodland Hills was closed, and its remaining staff were integrated into Infinity Ward's offices. The iconic Neversoft "eyeball" logo was incorporated into the end credits of Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare as a tribute. This merger effectively marked the end of Neversoft as a distinct development entity.

Legacy and impact

Neversoft left an indelible mark on the video game industry. The *Tony Hawk's Pro Skater* series is credited with popularizing extreme sports video games, introducing precise combo-based trick systems, and setting a new standard for integrating licensed music into gameplay, featuring tracks from artists like Dead Kennedys, Goldfinger, and Rage Against the Machine. Their work on Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock helped propel that franchise to massive commercial success. The studio's technical prowess in 3D gameplay and character animation influenced numerous other developers. Former Neversoft employees have since worked at major companies like Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, and Naughty Dog, and the cultural impact of their games continues to be celebrated by fans and within the speedrunning community.

Category:Video game development companies