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All Games -- Viva Piņata
Release Date: 09-Nov-2006
Developed By: Rare
Published By: Microsoft
ESRB: Rating Pending
Official Website
Where to buy
Origins
The original concept for the game began as Your Garden in 2002, and eventually evolved into the colorful world of Viva Piņata. Microsoft and Rare realized the growing popularity of the project and immediately began searching for licensing partners; they eventually teamed up with 4Kids Entertainment. The property is set to become a video game on Microsoft's Xbox 360 console as well as a computer-animated television series produced by 4Kids Entertainment to be aired on 4Kids TV and Canada's YTV. Animation for the television series is being done at Bardel Entertainment in Vancouver, Canada.
The game and television show revolve around a group of animal piņatas who live on "Piņata Island". The game will include over 60 different species of piņata for players to collect, trade and customize. The TV series and the game will reference each other, as they take place on different parts of the island. This is the first Viva Pinata game.
Gameplay
Likened to The Sims, Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, Viva Piņata sees the player create a paradise garden on Piņata Island. Depending on how your garden is grown, it will attract different species of Piņata. Piņatas vary largely in their personalities; there are bad Piņatas called "Sours" who must be avoided at all costs (or be tamed by the player). Additionally every species of piņata interacts differently with another, often resulting in conflicts, which may prove fatal.
As well as the general running of your garden, there are mating ritual minigames that become available when the inhabitants get frisky. Completing the minigame successfully will result in the creation of Piņata family. Early on in the game, minigames will be simple, but as the game progresses, minigames are expected to become increasingly difficult.
Xbox Live
The game is Xbox Live Supported, where gamers can spectate on the gardens of other Piņata owners. Details on this are currently scarce, but it is speculated that the game's chocolate currency will be available for purchase on Xbox Live. Although, chocolate coins have been seen emerging from rubble during various presentations of the game. Interestingly, Piņatas can also be given as gifts, along with other items. Sours can also be packaged up and shipped off to other users.
There is also an interactive video available to download from the Xbox Live Marketplace, essentially acting as a tutorial to the game. The user can decide which Piņata they'd like to talk them through the features of the game.
Xbox Live members in North America can also download two episodes of the television series from the Xbox Live Marketplace, both available in Standard Definition and High Definition.
Customization
Although few details have been revealed, customization includes: the name of your Piņata, your Piņata's tag (which stays with it, wherever it goes), and the multitude of accessories gamers will be able to buy (currently, through unknown means) for their Piņata, ranging from backpacks that are used to provide shelter, and large teeth.
View Reviews
| Game Features | |
| HDTV | 1080i |
| Surround Sound | Yes |
| Live | Yes |
Viva Piņata
Release Date: 09-Nov-2006
Developed By: Rare
Published By: Microsoft
ESRB: Rating Pending
Official Website
Where to buy
Origins
The original concept for the game began as Your Garden in 2002, and eventually evolved into the colorful world of Viva Piņata. Microsoft and Rare realized the growing popularity of the project and immediately began searching for licensing partners; they eventually teamed up with 4Kids Entertainment. The property is set to become a video game on Microsoft's Xbox 360 console as well as a computer-animated television series produced by 4Kids Entertainment to be aired on 4Kids TV and Canada's YTV. Animation for the television series is being done at Bardel Entertainment in Vancouver, Canada.
The game and television show revolve around a group of animal piņatas who live on "Piņata Island". The game will include over 60 different species of piņata for players to collect, trade and customize. The TV series and the game will reference each other, as they take place on different parts of the island. This is the first Viva Pinata game.
Gameplay
Likened to The Sims, Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, Viva Piņata sees the player create a paradise garden on Piņata Island. Depending on how your garden is grown, it will attract different species of Piņata. Piņatas vary largely in their personalities; there are bad Piņatas called "Sours" who must be avoided at all costs (or be tamed by the player). Additionally every species of piņata interacts differently with another, often resulting in conflicts, which may prove fatal.
As well as the general running of your garden, there are mating ritual minigames that become available when the inhabitants get frisky. Completing the minigame successfully will result in the creation of Piņata family. Early on in the game, minigames will be simple, but as the game progresses, minigames are expected to become increasingly difficult.
Xbox Live
The game is Xbox Live Supported, where gamers can spectate on the gardens of other Piņata owners. Details on this are currently scarce, but it is speculated that the game's chocolate currency will be available for purchase on Xbox Live. Although, chocolate coins have been seen emerging from rubble during various presentations of the game. Interestingly, Piņatas can also be given as gifts, along with other items. Sours can also be packaged up and shipped off to other users.
There is also an interactive video available to download from the Xbox Live Marketplace, essentially acting as a tutorial to the game. The user can decide which Piņata they'd like to talk them through the features of the game.
Xbox Live members in North America can also download two episodes of the television series from the Xbox Live Marketplace, both available in Standard Definition and High Definition.
Customization
Although few details have been revealed, customization includes: the name of your Piņata, your Piņata's tag (which stays with it, wherever it goes), and the multitude of accessories gamers will be able to buy (currently, through unknown means) for their Piņata, ranging from backpacks that are used to provide shelter, and large teeth.