Well, I guess that all the speculation about the next Tony Hawk game coming with a skateboard-like peripheral can come to a halt. Even though next to no game footage was shown, and I haven't given a damn about a Tony Hawk game in a few years, I'll admit that Activision's got me curious about how this is all going to work.

So, let's talk about this big black bastard of a "controller." It would appear that this game will forego traditional console methods of interactivity, relying solely on this hunk of plastic to replicate in-game skateboarding. Whereas I enjoy the fake guitars and drum kits that Guitar Hero uses, I just can't see myself not getting injured, or worse, waking the neighbors, jumping around my room on a three-inch slab of delicate computer hardware. Yes, clearly they wouldn't be releasing something like this if it wasn't product tested yada, yada, yada. But can they honestly expect me to kick flip that thing, and not unintentionally kick it into my entertainment center?

Aside from the physicality of the thing, let's look at those buttons. There appear to be seven buttons, plus a makeshift directional pad located along the side. Are we going to be hitting those to pull moves off? Reaching for a soda while trying to watch what's happening on the TV is frustrating enough, now they want me to focus on hitting the right buttons? Or not. I mean we really have no idea. I'm sure this game is going to be one of Activision's major focuses at E3, and you can bet I'm going to be checking this out. I'm interested because I hope they can pull it off. Activision may be a franchising whoring capitalism machine, but at least they're trying something here.

What would you be willing to pay for something like this? I'm guessing Activision thinks you'll pay $150. Sean's banking on it breaking $200. Thoughts?