Viva Piñata Takes a Swing at Gamers

Microsoft Game Studios and 4Kids Entertainment announced on Wednesday that the two have officially partnered up to introduce the entertainment industry to the unique world of Viva Piñata. Originally created by Rare Ltd., Viva Piñata takes place on an island (conveniently called "Piñata Island") where the candy-filled party toys favored by sadistic children around the world actually come to life. As a result of this new deal, it won't be long before the general public becomes saturated with products featuring the unusual property.

Microsoft and Rare are currently developing the first Viva Piñata game for the Xbox 360. In the game, scheduled for release this holiday season, players are charged with the task of managing the day to day operations of a small farm-like community. If you can imagine the love child of The Sims and Animal Crossing, you can begin to scratch the surface of the game's general premise. As players develop their communities, they will attract the attention of various species of Piñatas. These papier-mâché creatures each have their own unique personality traits and abilities. Players can interact with the creatures, raising them, customizing them, and even breeding them with other Piñatas. Players will also be able to go online and purchase special items for their Piñatas, as well as trade and compare their creatures with others around the world.

For its part, 4Kids Entertainment will be developing an animated series based around the property, as well as handling the other third-party license deals for products such as action figures and the like. 4Kids has already seen success in this department with such popular properties as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and even Nintendo's cash cow, Pokémon.

Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, stated, "We are very excited about partnering with Microsoft to share the 'Viva Piñata' universe with the world. The potent combination of the Microsoft Game Studios and 4Kids will ensure that the 'Viva Piñata' world, including the video game, television series and merchandising program, attracts a worldwide audience."

"With 'Viva Piñata', we are introducing a revolutionary brand that will entertain, inspire and excite children, families and creative minds around the globe," said Peter Moore, Microsoft's VP of Interactive Entertainment Business. "With Rare and 4Kids Entertainment we will best showcase the vibrant world of 'Viva Piñata', enabling a mass audience to have an immersive experience via the animated television series, the Xbox 360 title and related merchandise."

News-Source: http://xbox.gamespy.com