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Australian developers Krome (Ty, Spyro) have been handed the keys to the Viva Pinata franchise. Their plan? Take those Wii party games everyone's so nuts about, put one on the 360 and use Rare's papery characters as a selling point. Probably a good idea. Can't sell any less than Viva Pinata did, and it ticks the party game box on Microsoft's "coming soon" checklist, so everything seems to be in order. If you want to check for yourself, though, press release is after the leap.
KROME STUDIOS ANNOUNCES THE DEVELOPMENT OF VIVA PINATA: PARTY ANIMALS
Company takes acclaimed next-generation series in new direction with
Viva Pinata: Party Animals
BRISBANE, Australia - July 12, 2007 Krome Studios, the largest independent videogame studio in Australia announced today that they are working with Microsoft Game Studios to deliver the next installment in the critically acclaimed Viva Piñata series, Viva Piñata: Party Animals. This marks the first time the two companies have joined forces. Viva Pinata: Party Animals is guaranteed to bring gamers and garden connoisseurs together for a fun social party game set in a whimsical world bursting with living piñatas of every shape and shade imaginable.
Only now, the breezy fields of Piñata Island deliver a whole new set of challenges. With Viva Piñata: Party Animals, players will take part in the most popular reality TV show on the island and compete in over 40 outrageous multiplayer party games. Starring an ensemble cast, including Hudson Horstachio, Paulie Preztail, Franklin Fizzlybear and Fergy Fudgehog, Viva Piñata: Party Animals invites up to four players to compete together in the comfort of their living room or with friends and family across the miles over Xbox LIVE.
Set to release this holiday season, Viva Piñata: Party Animals is an easy pick up and play party game that provides hours of fun for players of all ages as they explore a dynamic world through an array of unique and quirky competitions. Boasting a spectacular visual style, along with new characters and challenges, Viva Piñata: Party Animals welcomes fans and newcomers to explore the craziest island party around.
David McLean, Xbox Regional Director, Australia and New Zealand, says, "Microsoft is proud to have an Australian development studio working on a high-profile Xbox 360 exclusive title such as Viva Pinata: Party Animals. This announcement further demonstrates our commitment to bringing the widest range of games to the Xbox 360 and supporting the local talent."
"We're very excited to work with Microsoft in making a fantastic series even better," says Robert Walsh, CEO of Krome Studios. "Viva Piñata is a wildly imaginative property that offers something unique for casual players, as well as hardcore gamers. Party Animals will bring back what players love about the first game, but also deliver a set of all-new features and surprises".
Krome Studios is currently developing Viva Pinata: Party Animals for the Xbox 360, scheduled to ship this holiday season.
