Finally, innovation!

Microsoft today unveiled their next big hope for Xbox 360 gaming.

Viva Pinata is a surreal blend of Animal Crossing, The Sims, Harvest Moon and Pokemon that has been under development by Rare for the past two years. The game is the pet project of Rare's co-founder Tim Stamper.

I spoke with Shane Kim, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios, last week about the upcoming title, set to hit this fall.

"This is as important if not more important as Gears of War," Kim said. "We acquired Rare because of there special abilities in this area."

In the game you are in charge of growing a garden on Pinata Island. The goal is to attract the wild black and white pinatas that roam the surrounding jungle. There are 60 different breeds, each attracted by different things you can grow in your garden.

Once they step into your plot they sprout colors and hang-out. If you attract two of the same type you can breed them and they have eggs. The eggs can be saved, hatched or traded online via Xbox Live.

If a pinata breaks it drops candy which can also be collected, traded or fed to other pinatas. Can you say Candy Hoof-and-Mouth Disease?

Gamers will also have to contend with pests, sort of an anti-pinata.

Kim says Viva Pinata is a casual game meant to appeal to all ages and types of gamers.

The whole thing sounds strange enough to become a smash hit... or be really horrible.

That's the key here. This isn't really about Microsoft coming up with another game. It's about Microsoft taking a chance. Finally, we're going to see some innovation come to the Xbox 360.

Whether Viva Pinata is the next Sims or the next Pokemon knock-off, gamers win.

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