Fans of high-flying, arcade-style snowboarding just got a tantalizing look at the SSX sequel that never made it to the starting gate. Newly surfaced concept art from the canceled SSX Project Gravity reveals an ambitious spiritual successor built to recapture the series’ over-the-top energy with modern tech and a multiplayer-first mindset.
Shared by former team member and art director Gordon Wang on ArtStation under the working title “Undisclosed Action Adventure Racing,” the artwork blends illustrations with in-engine shots prototyped in Unreal Engine 5. Towering alpine peaks, gravity-defying slopes, and grindable rails set the stage for high-speed trick lines and that signature boost-heavy flow longtime fans remember. It’s a snapshot of a vision that aimed squarely at the adrenaline rush SSX perfected in its early 2000s heyday.
The franchise made its mark under EA Sports Big, launching in 2000 and peaking with beloved entries like SSX Tricky in 2001 and SSX 3 in 2003. Across its lifecycle, the series reportedly sold over 3 million copies, racking up awards and praise for tight mechanics, an unforgettable cast, and thumping soundtracks that defined the genre. A 2012 reboot for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 earned strong reviews, including a Metacritic score of 82, thanks to expanded exploration and modernized controls. But the follow-up never came, leaving the IP dormant and fans hungry for a true arcade snowboarding comeback. While Ubisoft’s Steep delivered impressive realism in 2016, it scratched a different itch than SSX’s wild, trick-forward DNA.
That’s where Project Gravity was poised to carve a fresh trail. Built by Supernatural Studios—founded in 2020 by SSX co-creators Steve Rechtschaffner and Larry LaPierre—the project gathered veterans from the original team and targeted a live-service, free-to-play multiplayer model. The goal was a fast, accessible, competitive experience with that unmistakable arcadey feel, published by 2K and powered by cutting-edge tech to keep content flowing and communities engaged.
Development progressed for years before an abrupt cancellation in February 2024, following a withdrawal of support amid wider industry turbulence, including layoffs and funding pressures. For fans, the newly revealed concept art is a bittersweet reminder of what an SSX spiritual successor could look like today: cinematic descents, colossal trick setups, and a modern multiplayer backbone built to keep riders dropping in together for seasons on end.
Even without a current release on the horizon, interest in an arcade snowboarding revival clearly hasn’t melted. If anything, Project Gravity’s reveal proves there’s still serious appetite for a stylish, big-air, boost-fueled alternative to sim-heavy snow sports. Whether it’s a future resurrection or a fresh IP that channels the same spirit, the mountain is calling—and players are ready to ride.
