Gabriel Stanford-ReisingerCrash Bandicoot 5 could’ve been a thing, but it’s been reportedly canned in favor of more live service games. Lower than expected sales for Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time didn’t help, either.
According to DidYouKnowGaming’s Liam Robertson, the game was canned due to Activision pulling funding for single player adventures to put a spotlight on its multiplayer, live service fare. It’s also said this was the time the studio shot down new entries to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater due to them being more single player focused.
Supposedly, it was actually the multiplayer concept of a brand-new Crash game that led to the inception of It’s About Time. After that, they planned on a direct sequel. It’s rumored that this game would’ve seen both Crash and Spyro as playable characters.
Unfortunately, even with developer Toys for Bob becoming independent, only to partner back up with Microsoft, that left them with no games, with IP ownership — including Crash and Spyro — remaining under Activision’s watch.