pinata
Latest
Neverwinter's summer festival starts tomorrow
If it's Neverwinter, it must be summer, right? Now that you've stopped groaning, you might be interested to hear that the D&D MMO is kicking off its summer festival tomorrow. Cryptic is building on the previous year's festival by adding more content to the event. There will be a new summer-themed zone with daily quests, a water battle, new profession tasks, and a new dungeon for the web game Sword Coast Adventures. Players can try to grab a reward that they missed from last year or strive for one of the new prizes, such as the piñata or the Sunite Steed. The summer festival will run from Thursday, August 21st, through Thursday, September 11th.
Guild Wars 2 celebrates Dragon Bash festival by giving us stuff to break
If you're a fan of ArenaNet's parties (no, not those epic PAX parties -- in-game parties!) then we have a treat for you. Starting June 11, Guild Wars 2 will be celebrating the Dragon Bash festival in game where players can build and destroy giant dragon effigies for candy and boosts, compete at mini-games like Dragon Ball and Moa Racing, win special rewards including exclusive weapon skins and holographic dragon wings, shoot off fireworks, and more. The grand finale will culminate in a lighting ceremony on June 18 in Lion's Arch. To help kick off this year's event, ArenaNet sent around a few real-life piñatas for various gaming website staff to break open themselves and record on video. You can bet that we went a little... overboard with this one. Follow along in the gallery below for images from the festival and after the cut for some piñata bashing, Massively style.%Gallery-190175%
Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise to allow four player co-op garden editing over Xbox Live
The obsession began as most obsessions do -- with a simple observation. Perhaps it was the perfectly arranged row of tulips, or the masterfully grown monkeynut trees. Perhaps it was the stunning flock of Chewnicorn that resided in that breathtaking place. One is never sure of how or why these feeling develop, but the end result is always the same -- your neighbor's piñata garden is too beautiful to exist, and has to be razed. It must be returned to the loam from whence it sprung, its candy-filled inhabitants scattered to the sweet-smelling wind. Fortunately, word from Rare confirms that in addition to a slew of races and other contests, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise will indeed feature a four player co-op mode over Xbox Live, in which three players can enter and "edit" the host's garden. Players will have access to all the tools afforded them in the single-player mode, meaning you can use your trusty multi-purpose shovel to wreak a path of destruction through a friend's garden, carving a scar into its well-tended landscape. Or you could help them out, we guess. We're not really sure why anyone would want to do that, though.
Outspark celebrates Cinco de Mayo with piatas and sombreros
Outspark, home of Fiesta, Secret of the Solstice, and Bread 'n Butter, are celebrating Cinco de Mayo in their own festive, colorful way. How, you bravely ask? Players of Fiesta have the opportunity to purchase the fine steed you see to the right -- a horse piñata to rival those in any local corner store! We hope that this guy's expression is more indicative of enthusiasm than frozen-smiling, mind-numbing terror.In Secret of the Solstice, there's a new "Happy Cinco de Mayo" emoticon and a sombrero that's more than just decorative, it has its own stats. From the press release: "Players should also be on the lookout for piñata monsters that have more than just ordinary candy for players diligent and strong enough to go toe-to-toe with the less-than-deadly beasts." You know, we like Outspark's style. These events will extend beyond the 5th, to last the rest of the week. Go check 'em out![Thanks, Travis!]
Viva Pinata proposer tying the knot today with game-themed cake
We all had our hearts warmed last year when we heard of David Rosowski's delightful approach to nuptial queries -- the young man proposed to his girlfriend Jenn by sending her a diamond and question-popping note in Viva Piñata, immediately following up with a bended knee and a real-life rock. Nearly seven months later, their wedding day has come, and after trading vows upon a cruise ship, the two will chow down on a matrimonial pastry topped with a Horstachio and a veiled Pretztail (two of the game's more recognizable papier-mâché critters). You can watch their big day unfold on David's YouTube channel, if you have nothing better to do this Saturday morning. We here at Joystiq HQ won't be in virtual attendance, but we'd still like to wish David and Jenn a long and happy marriage, full of fulfilled romance requirements and bushels of joy candy. [Thanks, jimmcq.]
Show and Tell: It's full of candy
We love Kirby. We can't help it; he's just a big ol' pink puffball full of love (and often, whatever is around). We're usually not in favor of beating on Kirby, but when it's for a good cause, we can get behind the idea. Also? When beating on Kirby can give us delicious candy. Reader Mr Khan sent us in these pictures of the Kirby piñata he and some others made over the holidays for a few lucky second graders. Their assignment (which they clearly chose to accept) was to design a piñata around a balloon. What's round and full of fun? The only obvious answer was Kirby. We approve.Remember, if you have something to show off, we're interested! From crafts to cakes to collections ... whatever you've got, if it has a little Nintendo flavor, we want to see it. Just take some pictures (or copy your web album links) and send them to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest.
The real Mario Party
There's a party going on tomorrow and the Tanooki got a sneak preview of the decor. It's a full-on Super Mario themed bash, complete with all the stuff you'd expect to find in a Mario game. This fantastic Chain Chomp piñata is just waiting to be smashed, hopefully by a jumping kid in a Mario costume. Seriously, if there's an invite going free, we'd love it.Head past the break for the giant Pirahna Plants and chocolate coins!
Viva Piata gets parents' approval
Everyone's favorite piñata growing simulator Viva Piñata has received top honors from a collective group we call "parents". The Parents' Choice Foundation awarded Viva Piñata with the Parents' Choice Award in gaming for its "excellent production values, universal human values, appeal to children, and age appropriateness". We're sure it's an honor, but we wonder if such an award will deter older gamers from picking up the game. We know how sensitive some fanboys can be when it comes to their gamercard and playing "children's games", so does the new Parents' Choice Award further embarrass/deter those who are uneasy about trying Viva Piñata?
Create-a-Rare-Developer, win wild-card piata
Our piñata loving friends over at Piñata Island are holding a contest where the winners will receive an extremely rare in-game Viva Piñata wild-card piñata. To win, all you have to do is pick a name of a developer off of the credits list and make a piñata that you feel best fits that person. Draw a piñata, build one out of wood, or use paper mache, it's up to you. Oh, and be sure to make up a brief back story for the little guy too. One lucky winner will have the choice of picking a discovered or undiscovered wild-card piñata or have a Mystery Crate sent to them. Three other runners up will get a discovered wild-card piñata of their choice. All entries must be posted on the forum by May 5th, so find a developer and make a piñata already![Thanks, jimmcq]
Viva Piata, the most overlooked game this year?
Simon over at Game Set Watch wrote up an article explaining his reasons for why both the media and online communities haven't pushed Viva Piñata into the mainstream. Ultimately, Viva Piñata hasn't yet reached its mass appeal, yet garners not only great reviews, but praise from those who give it a chance. If you haven't noticed, all of us at Fanboy Towers enjoy the game and some are even mildly addicted. We feel the problem may be that Viva Piñata is just so hard to explain, hard to get its point across, and hard to market. It offers so much, has so many intricacies and appeals to such a wide audience ... it's difficult to package their gaming message into one nice box. Just another good read and if you haven't picked up Piñata, buy it with all the money you get from returning those crappy Christmas gifts.[Via Digg]
Create a piata and join the party
Yesterday I mentioned the fun Viva Piñata party going down at the Santa Monica pier on December 2nd, but it kind of sucks if you don't live nearby to enjoy the festivities. No worries, because John over at Gamerscore Blog is welcoming all fans, who want to partake in the fun, to create a piñata and send him a picture of it. You can create your piñata on the Viva Piñata game, draw one, paint one, or make a real life piñata, then send him a picture of it and they'll add it to their "Virtual Piñata Wall" on the pier for everyone to see on December 2nd. They are also giving away prizes to some lucky fans who send in their piñata art. So, get to it and start making that lizardrop or batsucker piñata and your efforts will be showcased at the piñata party!
You're invited to a piata party
If you live in the LA area, have kids, are a kid at heart, or just love Viva Piñata then make your way to the world's largest piñata party! Gamerscore Blog has posted an invite to anyone interested in participating in their Viva Piñata bash that is going down on December 2nd at the Santa Monica Pier. Not only will you be able to play Viva Piñata, but there will be face painting, free rides, prizes galore, cartoons, get your picture taken with the Viva Piñata characters, and a 35 foot tall Horstachio! I know ... I'm even getting excited! And since the whole event is free, bring your kids, nephews, cousins and even the annoying neighbor kids down to the pier for some piñata fun. Thanks again Microsoft, we love your marketing events ... they make us so happy.
An actual Viva Piata ... piata?
It's natural really. American Greetings has signed a deal with 4Kids Entertainment to create, ahem, "social expression products" based on Microsoft's would be Pokémon killer, Viva Piñata. These products are to include stickers, gift wrap, gift bags, greeting cards, Christmas ornaments, and (drum roll please) party goods! Oh please, let them make honest-to-God piñatas. I actually saw a Viva Piñata branded piñata while picking up my copy of GOW, but I think it was purely promotional. Besides, it was tiny. It would hold, like, hardly any candy at all. So, if you love (or hate) Viva Piñata and would dearly like to smash your own, your dream is one step closer to reality. Don't get your hopes up just yet, though: the product line isn't scheduled to launch until Fall of 2007. Full press release after the break.
Viva Piata achievements cracked open
Piñata Island, the wiki for all your Viva Piñata needs, has a big stick. They have taken that stick, swung it smack into the piñata that is the internet, and cracked it wide open. "What was inside?" you ask. Why, nothing other than a listing of Viva Piñata's 20 non-secret achievements. There are 50 in all, with 30 of them being secret. The achievements range from easy (name one of your piñatas) to requiring Pokémon like dedication (attract 50 piñatas) -- and all of them are worth 20 points. Supposedly, all achievements should be unlocked through normal play. Our favorite is Wealth Master, which requires the player to amass 100,000 chocolate coins, the game's currency. We don't care if they are chocolate, anyone with 100,000 chocolate coins is wealthy in our book. [Thanks, jimmcq]
Viva Piata demo on Marketplace, sort of
There is a new Viva Piñata "demo" available on Xbox Live Marketplace. It is dubbed an "interactive video," which means it's not really a demo proper. We have been trying to download it all day, so that we could tell you what it's all about. It seems like the Live gods are against us, however, as we have been unable to actually complete the download. It keeps getting stuck at lower and lower percentages, too. Has anyone else been able to grab it? What's it like? Inquiring minds want to know.
Run XBLA games from DVD-R, CD-R
Those crafty fellows over at 360GameSaves have uncovered an interesting "feature" of our beloved 360. It looks like Xbox Live Arcade games will run off of an ordinary DVD-R or CD-R. There's some technical mumbo jumbo that we won't relate here, but the upshot is that all you have to do is pop in a CD or DVD with the games burnt onto the disc. The article does note, however, that these games will still only run in trial mode if the full versions haven't been purchased on the 360 being used. Please know that X360F will not be held responsible should you attempt to break open your 360 like a piñata in order to retrieve the delectable games inside. Hit the read link for more details.[Via Xbox-Scene]
