Rare's Piñata Themed Animal Crossing Homage News

Rumoured last month (and hitting the net earlier today) the first details and screenshots have recently emerged from Rare's next Xbox 360 title, Viva Piñata.

Marking a close collaboration between Microsoft and 4Kids Entertainment, Viva Piñata is described as a "high energy, mass-appeal" property that aims to bring Rare's trademark characteristics and entice gamers to the Xbox that aren't traditionally hardcore FPS fanatics.

The Xbox 360 title is scheduled to arrive in time for Christmas, and finds gamers creating and customising piñata-filled adventures in an evolving world - sounds a little like Animal Crossing to us. Beginning with a few basic tools, players must build and take control of their environment to attract and host more then 60 different species of Piñata. The game will continue to grow through a steady supply of new content available via Xbox Live, with players able to trade and interact via the online service.

Through the agreement Viva Piñata will extend beyond the world of videogames and branch out to television and beyond, such as a Saturday morning 3D animated series to be aired in the US during Autumn - no word on European agreements as of yet.

"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, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. "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."

Look out for more on Viva Piñata soon...