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Richard

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Seattle, WA

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I’m into Viva Piñata. Pretty obvious, right? While I was working for Microsoft it became well known that I was a hardcore gamer with a passion for Viva Piñata. When the idea of doing a Viva Piñata confessions page was proposed, Microsoft felt I was the perfect person to be the face of the Viva Piñata Confessions space, and approached me about doing a site with them. I thought it was a great idea. I hope you agree, and like it as much as I do.

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June 26

The Future of Viva Pinata?

When Viva first came out I remember Rare saying that they were working on an online play. The idea was that you could visit other people's garden and even help them garden. It was talked about a lot at first and then...nothing. Does anyone know if this is still happening?

Also, I can't believe Rare hasn't put out any expansion packs by now. I thought for sure they would be coming out with new pinatas downloads every other week, but not one to date. What gives? The argument could be made (as I have many times) that there is a very structured food chain at work and you can't just insert a new pinata into the mix. True, but you could bring in a new pinata at the top of the food chain like a tiger or a tigerine if you will (tiger + tangerine)

Or how expanding your territory? There are all these interesting structures and landscapes just outside your borders that I would love to explore. Maybe create whole new environments. Rare could sell an artic expansion pack where it is always snowing. You start with a penguin and work your way up to a polar bear. The possibilities are endless.

I get the idea that Rare is saving up for Viva Pinata 2, which would be unfortunate. Viva is has the potential to evolve and grow, (like any good garden) but you need to introduce new things into it every once in a while for that to happen.

4:11 PM | Add a comment | Read comments (13) | Permalink | Blog it

June 15

My favorite pinata

I try not to play favorites in the garden, but I have a special place in my heart for the Syrupent and his extented family. I guess the reason is because I am a sucker for evolves, and the Syrupent is the only pinata that can evolve twice.

The Syrupent shows up pretty early to the garden, all you need is some grass and a mousemallow and he'll become a resident. Once you've got a couple of Syrupents in your garden buy them a swank house (which looks like a stone cobra) and let the evolving begin. It's a delicate process that requires a little patient but the reward is well worth it.

First romance the two Syrupents, once the egg shows up watch it carefully. It will make many small hops, then it will make a noticably bigger hop. Once it makes that big jump whack it with your shovel and a baby Twingersnap will emerge. For those of you who do not already know a Twingersnap is a very cool two headed snake.

But wait, that's not all! Once you get two Twingersnaps go ahead and buy them a house (which looks like a aztec temple) and repeat the process to make a Fourheads. The coolest looking pinata in the game, in my opinion.

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June 06

Master Romancer Achievement

As I mentioned before I am not that into romancing pinatas. I find it rather tedious trying to get these guys in the mood, most of them have the libido of a panda, or pananda (panda + banana) if you will. And that little mini mating game get old pretty quick. Needless to say I put off getting the Master Romancer Acheivement as long as I could until I figured out this little trick...

First off, I should point out that Master Romancer is the term for both an award and an achievement in the game. It's confusing, I know.

Anyway, you get an award for being a Master Romancer for a specific species when you have 7 of that species in your garden at the same time. And therein lies the key. You only need to have 7 of the same species in your garden at one time, you do not necessarily have to breed them. You can buy (hire the hunter) seven of one pinata and bingo, you're a Master Romancer without once every having to do the deed.

To get the Master Romancer Acheivement you need to become a Master Romancer to 20 different species.

Now, hold on a sec! Before you go buying 7 of the 20 cheapest pinatas there is a more economical solution: Evolves.

For those of you who do not already know there are certain things you can do to certain pinatas to turn them into a completely new and different species. So, everytime you buy an evolvable pinata it like a 2 for 1 sale. Below is a list of all the evolvable pinatas and how to evolve them. (If I missed any please let me know) So go out there and get some achievement the good clean wholesome way!

A Sparrowmint fed a buttercup turns into a Candary.

A Horstachio fed a blackberry anda daisy turns it into a Zumbug.

A Newtgat fed a chili turns into a Salamango.

A Quackberry Fed a gooseberry turns into a Juicygoose.

A Lickatoad Fed a nightshade berry then tapped on the head with the shovel before it gets sick will turn into a Lackatoad.

Set a Taffly set on fire by sending it into a firebrand then quickly dousing with the watereing can to turn it into a Reddhott

8:05 PM | Add a comment | Read comments (12) | Permalink | Blog it

May 21

How about some new Pinatas?

Also, I can't believe Rare hasn't put out any expansion packs by now. I thought for sure they would be coming out with new pinatas downloads every other week, but not one to date. What gives? The argument could be made that there is a very structured food chain at work and you can't just insert a new pinata into the mix. True, but you could bring in a new pinata at the top of the food chain like a tiger

I get the idea that Rare is saving up for Viva Pinata 2, which would be unfortunate. You want your garden to evolve and grow, (like any good garden) but you need to introduce new things into it every once in a while for that to happen.

What new piñatas would you like to see? I’ve got a few.

Tigerine = tiger + tangerine

Meringutan = Meringue + Orangutan

12:07 PM | Add a comment | Read comments (5) | Permalink | Blog it

May 09

Viva Piñata News

Major Nelson, TriXie and others from the Xbox.com team expose the truth about Viva Piñata and the effects it has on the adult brain. Check out the video.

Video: Viva Piñata News

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Guestbook

Post your Viva Piñata Confession in the Guestbook. Share your story and if you're feeling adventurous point us to your own confession video (posted on your video server of choice - like Soapbox).

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	No namewrote: Well my Pinate Island residency started when I was working at Wal-Mart and for an entire month before the release, they played the Viva Pinata Trailer in electronics, and everytime I passed, I was like "what the heck is Viva Pinata", husband downloaded the demo. And now I am stuck! Cant get over it and cant get away from it! I am even getting TIP soon. You know they didnt have all these cool things when I was little! I love the game. Husband thinks I am crazy, but I dont care! Look for my friend request soon! Feb. 20
	Dortchwrote: Oh sweet VP... Oh joyous candy for eye and brain. I love VP. Favorite pinatas have to be Bon Boons and Chocodiles. Aug. 17
	Taekna wrote: I'm usually more into heavy combat RPG games. I've been a hardcore WoW Hordie for years now. I stumbled across Viva Pinata while reading a webcomic while my server was down. I was curious about the game, I'm a sucker for games like this, so I downloaded the demo on 360. Instead of shoving it aside, like most "kid" games, I ended up being drawn into it. I've only had it for a week now, and have gotten all of the pinata except the Parrybo. Although, trust me, I'm not done with this game yet. It's just too fun to put down! My guildmates in Azeroth must think I've died. laughs ~Your resident druid girl~ Taekna Jan. 31
	Douglas Shepswrote: I love VP! I started out waching the show then I found out about the game. Hey, if anyone needs any help, go to http://pinataisland.info/. Nov. 25
	Wyraach Urwrote: Heya, i read your trading post info, maybe you can help me. i'm missing, in total, only a few Pinatas. what i need to complete the collection is a Chippopotamus, a Roario, Buzzenge and an Eglair. I won't be able to get back online untill i get my net sorted out (gonna try to get a wireless adapter for the 360), so i will let you know when i am on :) Nov. 17
	Ikara69 wrote: Viva pinata is one of the most amazing concepts. I love the game, it is one of the most fun ones I own for the X-box 360, the show is cute. The two best charaters are the Pretztail, and the Mallowolf, the art is fun and funky, very fun to draw them. The idea is amazing, when they come out with any kind of stuffies I`ll for sure own one of each! VIVA PINATA RULES!!!! June 20
	Mari MYOBwrote: i lovve viva pinata, well not the game but the cartoon every weekend on saterday viva pinata is on 4kidstv. my favorite chracter is the horse and ofcourse fergie. id love to play this game! shake it shake it like a party animal! June 8
	Michael Swiftwrote: Hi, my name is Michael, and im addiced to Viva Pinata. Im 18, going on 19 in a month. I started playing after a friend of mine rambled on about it at my school. i tried the demo ecspecting to not like it, i mean, its rated E, not to mention its got a very kiddie theme. man was i wrong. ive only recently not been playing it because ive been playing the Halo 3 demo and Crackdown. Rare, give us more pinatas! May 30
	Michaelwrote: I'm not ashamed to say that I probably like Viva Piñata just as much as my kids do... May 17
	Russell Jacobswrote: It's hard to pull myself away from the game! The Concept is 5 out of 5. May 14
	Yours Truly . . .wrote: I confess I don't know what this is all about. And I don't want to know. Do adults actually waste time on stuff like this? There are so many problems in the world, like millions of people starving. Don't you have something better to do? Like helping them? Instead of playing silly games? What if all the obviously intelligent people playing silly games focused their attention on something actually productive? Would the world be a better place? May 14
	Nick and Beccawrote: The idea of this page is hilarious. When I first got Viva Piniata the 1st thing I thought is it's obvious this is a kids game but when I got deep into the game I thought, "man kids are smart these days." I am a hardcore gamer (from Gears of War to Viva Piniata) and I played the game for about 2 weeks and still have yet to beat the game but I did finally make my husband cave and he plays it from time to time now. But to be truthful I only play Viva because they have yet to come out with a Sims for the 360. May 11
	philwrote: well, there i was, playing viva pinata with my daughter, and i got curious: where did this stuff come from? so, i grabbed my DVR dish network remote, and did a search. VIVA PINATA IS A SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON!!! yep, im thirty years old, playing oblivion, GOW, halo 2 (still) AND v.p., and watching saturday morning cartoons. and now, one of our favorites is viva pinata. BUT, if you think a seven year old little girl cant understand the complexities of VP, guess again. my daughter has that game down PAT. and she has her dragonache, knows how to evolve her pinatas, and never paid for an upgrade to her tower of sour. she tamed all the sour pinatas ON HER OWN. she totally dominates on that game. May 7
	No namewrote: -15 year old VP player... i really enjoyed the game, and then i just got addicted... they call it a kids game but there are alot of components to it that i just cant see a 8 or 9 year old doing.... im hooked you should be too May 7
	Duntewrote: I don't get it. What is there to confess about playing Viva Pinata? I play it sometimes (I'm usually playing FFXI and I just bought both of them). And I really don't understand why they call it a kids game. Just as the guy said, its too complex for children to understand and if anything, they would probably get bored playing it due to the fact they probably wouldn't get too far (if anywhere) in the game. Every other gametag I see has viva pinata in it and these people are my age and older. People usually confess to things that they are ashamed off and yet I see no shame in playing viva pinata. And ofcourse it goes without saying that I play plenty of the more "adult" games seeing as I own an x-box 360. Which Viva Pinata seems to be the only "kid's" game for x-box 360. So what, you are 33 and are playing a "kid's" game. Is there a law saying you can't play a game unless you young enough? http://www.amazon.com/Sesame-Compilation-Letters-Numbers-PlayStation/dp/B00006ZCCJ THATS A KIDS GAME. No real "kid's" game exist on x-box 360. Hell if anything, they are on gamecube and gameboy advance. Color and lack of blood doesn't make a game for kids, extreme simplicity does. I am 18 years old by the way. May 6
	Petrawrote: Pinata is awesome! I totally had my Dragonache before I got a Candary though! Guess I do everything backwards. I so want to know what that pinata in the opening scene that looks like a fudgehog with birdfeet breakdancing is though! I'm starting to think its not in the game but its soo crazy looking! My fiance and I play it when we're not on Gears. I think there are more 20 something year olds and older playing it than let on. May 5
	No namewrote: ok so yea i love it to i play it all the time n its sweet i got my friend hooked to n we play all the time we hope more stuff comes out on xbox live n yea May 5
	No namewrote: 25 year old female addicted to Viva! My husband bought it for me and thought I would like it, and I do! Although he has not played it yet, he does search online for achievements an searches through the book to tell me how to make certain pinatas. The game is great an if there is a sequel, I'll get it!! May 5
	Victor Campbellwrote: It's true... I truely love this game. I got it on release day, quickly jetted thru the game getting level 108 on Dec the 1st. There is SOO much more to this game then just the EXP points, master romancer and all that. I got so into this game I made an organization based on the Wild Cards in the game (The Wild Card Foundation). We collect them, lend them out to other players, and are hoping to have tours in the future of this Digital Zoo the community has created together. This game rocks and has one of the friendliest communitys I've seen on all the Interwebs. If you don't have Viva Pinata already, go out and get it. Hope to see you around. 28 Yr old Male in love with Viva Pinata --LordRavenBlack May 4
	(no name) wrote: Unlike the unreal comment posted on May 3 8:10 pm I do carried a gun and wear a kevlar vest and have for 29 years. Picked up this game at BB on April 29 because my son said he wanted to play it. At 53 years old and 29 years on the force this game does not fit the kind of games that I like to play, to young looking if you know what I mean. When my son left the game on one day I decided what the heck and started a garden, and as the saying goes the rest is history. I just started my second level garden and I am having a blast trying to get as many Pinata in my garden as possible. I love this game and if there are more to follow count me in as a preorder. P.S. no name May 3 5:20 pm GAS MASK will keep them from fighting.. May 4
	No namewrote: OK! I confess! I don't have a 360 yet, so I can't join in the fun. But this game and the new "Elite" may be the things that finally makes me break down and get one. I'm 66 years old and have a very competitive wife. We have 2 grown "children", who think their mom and dad are crazy for playing video games. But I've never seen an upper age limit on any of the games we play, so we play. We've had an er...."altered" xbox1 for about three years and we've enjoyed every minute of it. And yes, for you youngsters, our first video game was "PONG", and we were pretty damn good at it too! So we may be off to BB today to get an "Elite" if they have them available. Then we can join in the fun too! Kid's game or Adult game? Who cares if it is fun and doesn't hurt anyone! Although my wife can get pretty nasty when I win! Play On! May 4
	Jeremiah Fowlerwrote: I enjoy the game quite a bit. I do not have much free time, and this game allows me to pick it up for half hour, or an hour and knock some good gaming out. My favorite xbox 360 game, I hope they make a sequel also. May 4
	Trey Tablewrote: I just can't shake the feeling that this MS Space is nothing more than an advertisement by Microsoft and/or RARE in order to sell more copies of Viva Pinata. But then again, I'm 32 and I also do like playing Viva Pinata. But what makes a game a "kids game"? Also, what is the age group for these kids? What about when we were kids? Were games like Pitfall II, Defender, and/or Zaxxon considered 'kids games'? May 4
	edward a.wrote: I started out looking for a game that was far different from the games I normally play (Halo2, GoW, Rainbow Six Vegas, etc.) and found this little jewel. I'm a 44 year old gamer dad and I have to say that Viva Pinata is by far one of the greatest games I have ever played. All 3 of my kids love it and even my wife (who usually hates video games) enjoys it so much that I had to set up profiles on my 360 for all of them. Absolutely the best family game we have ever played. My 7 year old son is teaching me things that I didnt know about. The gaming world needs to see a sequel to this masterpiece. May 4
	DanBtheRockStarwrote: ROCK! finally I've found my peers. I'm 32, Married, Father of 3, and I'm addicted to Viva Pinata. I got the game 3 weeks ago when I got my 360. I purchased it and Dead Rising together. And which do i have more time logged, more acheievements and spend my work day planning what i'll do next? yep VP! Don't get me wrong i loves me some zombies but... c'mon VP is GREAT! originally I got the game thinking the kids would love it and that would be great for them. then I sit down to help my 4 yr old get the hang of it and BLAM i'm hooked. Truly Hooked. I can sit down for a quick game before bed around 10 and before I know it it's 2:30 am. I loves it. Still having some issues getting the hang of getting all the residents.... Does it mean something if I had a Dragonasche before I had a Doenut? hahahahahahaha! ..... mmmmmm doenut........ May 4