Rare's Next Xbox 360 Project Called Viva Pinata

[dmgr]

According to some news in the latest issue of GameInformer, Rare's next project may be code named Viva Pinata. No details on the game at this point, but MS has trademarked the name and a ton of other merchandising products with the name.

http://www.gamersreports.com/news/1327/

[bean19]

Long live colorful papermeche animals filled with candy!

What a perfect name for a game title.

[Wonka]

I don't think this thing is actually formally titled yet, I think that it's just a code name. A code name that could mean practically anything. The more useful info. is that there is supposed to be a cartoon to go with it. That strongly hints to me that it is probably not a game that is aimed at me.

[Blade]

Viva Oft-Delayed Games That Are Usually Disappointing In The End!

[dotbomb]

Yeah definately just a goofy codename. I had a product codename once of Toadwaffles.

[Mason]

I choose you, Señor Snickers-filled!

[Hellstorm]

Bring on Rare's next bomb.

[Paranoia]

Can we expect this title to be released during X360 lifetime?

[earthworm48]

I think I may have to get a patent on "Toadwaffles".

[WastelandDan]

I just beat PD0 yesterday and now feel justified in saying I hated it completely and I wish I'd never bought it. Additionally my friend tried out the multiplayer, something I haven't done yet, and was immediately thrown into the middle of a remote bomb match half populated by bots where the real players just spawn killed the entire time. After about a minute he asked me to turn it off and said it was the worst FPS experience of his life; this coming from a guy that's enjoyed every single James Bond videogame that's come out, including "Nightfire".

[ezzkmo]

I just beat PD0 yesterday and now feel justified in saying I hated it completely and I wish I'd never bought it. Additionally my friend tried out the multiplayer, something I haven't done yet, and was immediately thrown into the middle of a remote bomb match half populated by bots where the real players just spawn killed the entire time. After about a minute he asked me to turn it off and said it was the worst FPS experience of his life; this coming from a guy that's enjoyed every single James Bond videogame that's come out, including "Nightfire".

Ouch. But I'm starting to agree a little. It's like they stripped all the features out of the original, updated the graphics, then rushed it for launch. I don't hate it, but I'm not as impressed as I wanted to be. Where's all the different sim variations and level customizing and stats and variety of levels and realism and well...everything? Oh well, it's still mindless FPS fun and if I forget the name of the game while I'm playing I don't feel as ripped off.

[Heretic Machine]

Although PD0 had little to offer in the way of single-player, I found it's multiplayer to be quite fun as long as you stick to the Dark Ops games. Most of the Deathmatch games are populated by bots, probably because everyone is playing Dark Ops.

Now as for Kameo, as far as I'm concerned that was pure gold. I wish it was a little longer, but 9 hours is pretty good these days, and the gameplay was awesome. Now if they'd hurry up and release the promised patch for online multiplayer co-op, I would have no reason to complain, that would extend the replay value significantly.

[Spigot]

Now if they were developing it for the Revolution, that would be kind of cool.

Just imagine it. A pinata simulator using the Rev's controller as a bat. What magic could that game bring to the lives of children and adults alike?

:)

[WastelandDan]

My biggest problem with PD0 was that the gameplay was virtually identical to that of the original Goldeneye game for the N64. Now don't get me wrong, I loved Goldeneye and played it excessively, but after something like ten years you'd think that maybe they would have learned something about game design from the countless other FPS games that have been released. It feels like they made the game right after the original Perfect Dark and then just let it languish while updating the graphics.

To get even a remotely tactile feel out of the controller I had to boost the sensitivity to about 85 out of 100, and I still think it was bullcrap that you couldn't jump. I'm a lithe 20-something year old female secret agent yet I can't jump even an inch off the ground? Give me a break. Plus, wasn't anybody else bothered by the graphics when you shot guys? I shoot someone twice with a pistol and their armor just explodes into about four different pieces, and when I shoot them there's no residual blood stain aside from a poof of blood in the air. Your gun leaves bullet holes in the wall, so you know that they are in fact using decals. It's like they were just too lazy to make one showing blood.

The whole project just felt half-assed to me. I guess I should just count myself lucky that I didn't have a bird named Kazooie strapped to my back urging me to collect golden puzzle pieces.

[jacktion]

PD0 was a huge flop. Kameo is a real stinker as well. Rare has officially lost it. They will go out of business soon.

and viva pinata can't be a codename because you don't trademark codenames.

[president_fred]

and viva pinata can't be a codename because you don't trademark codenames.
Thats blatantly untrue, I codenamed my penis Wallace after the Scottish freedom fighter and trademarked that. I have the logo if you want I can email it to you.

[Vermillion]

Jackitron is right. Actually debated it with the wife (patent/trademark attorney) and went on USPTO. Learn something new everyday.

I just trademarked my weiner as ToadWaffle. Sales have increased dramatically after the new name. Appreciate the idea. I'll let you touch it as part of your compensation :)

[GodFather]

And why are people flocking to buy Xbox 360's? Is there anything on the system that is so great? Im not counting COD2 seeing how its also on the PC.

[JazGalaxy]

I found PDZ to be a good bit of fun. My brohter and I played it coop and, aside from some definate issues in knowing what the heck you were supposed to be doing, we loved it.

I agree that it's better if you don't think of it as being "perfect Dark" since it has nothing to do with the original, but I felt the same way about all three recent The Legend of Zelda games, Metroid Prime, and Metal Gear Solid as well.

My brothers and I also had an appaling amount of fun with Dead or Alive 4 (best fighting game in years and I haven't like any previous dead or a live game) and also Project Gotham is great fun multiplayer with the same car chosen.

So... you can sit around and whine about ohw there is no reason to like it if you are just trying to find no reason to like it, but it's a great system none the less.

[bean19]

You thought it was a bad game?

I don't think it is a game that I'll keep in my gaming library and play over and over, but I had a decently good time beating the single player because it has been so long since I played a NOLF or a Bond game.

Then I had a really good time beating the single player again with one of my friends through Xbox Live. Online co-op is pretty much always a "Hells Yeah!" for me.

The multiplayer is the most solid part of the game, though you may have to spend a bit of time giving negative feedback for people that suck so that you will not be matched with them ever again in any game (LOVE THIS FEATURE! I can perma-ban llamas from all my gaming experiences FOREVER!)

Try onslaught mode out on DarkOps, that is definitely my favorite. You either attack or defend. If you are a defender, you start out getting to buy weapons like in Counter-Strike and you try to stay alive as long as possible because if you die, you are dead until the end of the round. If you are an attacker, you start off with just a pistol, but you have the advantage of being able to endlessly respawn. The team that can stay alive for the longest (as defenders) wins.

Another really fun mode is Dark Ops Eradication. It is basically just exactly like Counter-Strike maps, except that the objective is just to take out the other team. It would be a much stronger mode if there were bombs to plant or hostages to save like there are in Counter-Strike. . . still, the weaponry in this game is really good at sniffing out campers. Just get a shotgun and use it's secondary feature to find the guys, then go to the map in your start screen and make a waypoint for your entire team that points to the campers.

That's a big part of what I like about the game. . . the weaponry. The weapons all have really cool secondary features (and sometimes tertiary) that give them a very spy touch. This adds a lot of depth to the multiplayer.

It suffers in multiplayer a bit from things that have bugged me in Halo as well. Players move a bit too slowly for my tastes because I'm used to PC. . . and I guess that works out because otherwise it would be really really hard to get off headshots while using a controller instead of a keyboard/mouse. . . but trudging across maps can become a real pain. . . and while there are two pretty neat vehicles in PDZ, they have to be purchased and are fairly disappointing in power and in fun (I like flying around in the jetpack. . . but it isn't as fun as running over people in a ghost or performing slow strafing runs in a Banshee, or blowing things up with the Halo Tank (forgot it's name)).

If you are comparing the experience to an FPS on the PC, then you'll probably be disappointed. It is nowhere near as good as UT2K4 or Counter-Strike, but the interesting game-modes and weaponry offer a lot of replay value from the multiplayer portion of the game.

I'm sorry you hated the single player so much. . . you are so right that it plays just like a Bond game. If you don't like that formula, or if you find it antiquated or derivative, then you should have read more reviews. I'm not saying that hatefully. . . I'm serious. You could have saved yourself some money had you read up on the game as it is clearly described this way.

To each his own though. I'm really surprised that you found it to be a BAD game though. I thought it was good enough that it would be loved by many who played it, but would just be merely average or dissappointing for others. . . but I never imagined someone thinking it was a bad game.

[The_Darr]

My biggest problem with PD0 was that the gameplay was virtually identical to that of the original Goldeneye game for the N64. Now don't get me wrong, I loved Goldeneye and played it excessively, but after something like ten years you'd think that maybe they would have learned something about game design from the countless other FPS games that have been released. It feels like they made the game right after the original Perfect Dark and then just let it languish while updating the graphics.

To get even a remotely tactile feel out of the controller I had to boost the sensitivity to about 85 out of 100, and I still think it was bullcrap that you couldn't jump. I'm a lithe 20-something year old female secret agent yet I can't jump even an inch off the ground? Give me a break. Plus, wasn't anybody else bothered by the graphics when you shot guys? I shoot someone twice with a pistol and their armor just explodes into about four different pieces, and when I shoot them there's no residual blood stain aside from a poof of blood in the air. Your gun leaves bullet holes in the wall, so you know that they are in fact using decals. It's like they were just too lazy to make one showing blood.

The whole project just felt half-assed to me. I guess I should just count myself lucky that I didn't have a bird named Kazooie strapped to my back urging me to collect golden puzzle pieces.

well said. part of the fun with games for me is comparing graphics (yes, i am a graphics whore), and ill even stomach through as much of a game as i can just to see the sights (im looking at YOU unreal2...). the missing graphical details that were PRESENT in the original way back in...'98(?) should be there in full force, if not better. the toned down violence was a big turn off for me, as well as the armor shrapnel--its cool and all, but cmon. and for some reason, it was almost as if they tried to cram too much extra graphic effects, making the game nearly seizure-inducing for me. they shouldve concentrated more on each individual detail that made me further immersed, other than adding motion blur, insane smoke effects/lighting, ridiculously bright colors, bullet tracers, etc etc.

and am i just completely fucking missing the drug-tipped crossbow?!? that was my favorite part of the originals MP.

back on topic--im quite interested in what they come up with, though the name sounds a tad silly.

[dotbomb]

I didn't care for Kameo's story mode play honestly and was about to sell it on ebay. I'm hooked on score attack and it is just as well as it seems the value of it has dropped through the floor.

We had a ToadWaffles logo and everything. Was pretty hilarious. Best part was that the codename was suggested by the president of the company. You know you work in a pretty slapstick office environment when the pres comes up with the wacky name that makes everyone laugh everytime you talk about it.

We also had a hidden clown that would appear if you moused over just the right spot.

[Cyrano]

PD0 had the worst single player story I've experienced in years. They had to have known the level design was bad and confusing because they put big arrows on the ground to tell you where to go! With almost no checkpoints or save system, PD0 is one of my least favorite games of all time.

Kameo, I love.

[Watership]

I just beat PD0 yesterday and now feel justified in saying I hated it completely and I wish I'd never bought it. Additionally my friend tried out the multiplayer, something I haven't done yet, and was immediately thrown into the middle of a remote bomb match half populated by bots where the real players just spawn killed the entire time. After about a minute he asked me to turn it off and said it was the worst FPS experience of his life; this coming from a guy that's enjoyed every single James Bond videogame that's come out, including "Nightfire".

So you didn't "GET" the game huh? :)

[JazGalaxy]

PD0 had the worst single player story I've experienced in years. They had to have known the level design was bad and confusing because they put big arrows on the ground to tell you where to go! With almost no checkpoints or save system, PD0 is one of my least favorite games of all time.

Kameo, I love.

Yeah, the story was gutter scraping. It baffled me why they decided to make PD0 a prequel and then had no real prequel story to tell, rather changing Joanna into an entirely different charachter. Baffling.

As for the level design and checkpoitns, sorry but that's just a design decision. It might not be your cup of tea, but that's the direction they went with and I enjoyed it.

For instance, yeah, its frustrating how you lose a mission when one of buddy does somethign dumb in coop, but then it's a spy game. Why WOULDN"T you lose a mission if someone does something dumb. People are too obessed noadays witih "the game is supposed to help me win". I think that's stupid. The game presents a challenege and you either overcome it or do not.

[F3nyx]

It's too bad that Microsoft snapped up the pinata concept -- this game would've been a lot better with the Revolution controller.

edit:Now if they were developing it for the Revolution, that would be kind of cool.Goddamn, beaten to the obvious joke once again

[Sl1pstream]

Meh...still haven't finished PD0. Don't have the motivation to play it to the end, same goes for the multiplayer. I just don't enjoy it.

If this is a bright and happy game, I might pick it up.

[Venkman]

Now if they were developing it for the Revolution, that would be kind of cool.

Just imagine it. A pinata simulator using the Rev's controller as a bat. What magic could that game bring to the lives of children and adults alike?

:)

So would you wear a blindfold and use the Rev controller, or would they black out the screen with a polygon blindfold?


;)

[Mortis]

Although PD0 had little to offer in the way of single-player, I found it's multiplayer to be quite fun as long as you stick to the Dark Ops games. Most of the Deathmatch games are populated by bots, probably because everyone is playing Dark Ops.

Now as for Kameo, as far as I'm concerned that was pure gold. I wish it was a little longer, but 9 hours is pretty good these days, and the gameplay was awesome. Now if they'd hurry up and release the promised patch for online multiplayer co-op, I would have no reason to complain, that would extend the replay value significantly.

Yep most of the Dark Ops game modes kick ass. My main issue with PD0 is that the control sensitivity is nowhere near as responsive as CoD2 regardless of how you set it. The CoD2 responsiveness should be the standard for every FPS on the 360. I agree with your thoughts on Kameo also.

[Xerxes]

Where the hell is my Killer Instinct? I mean aside from Golden Eye and Perfect Dark, wasn't that one of there better selling games? Not counting the nintendo stuff mind you.

[Nintendo Revolution]

I just beat PD0 yesterday and now feel justified in saying I hated it completely and I wish I'd never bought it. Additionally my friend tried out the multiplayer, something I haven't done yet, and was immediately thrown into the middle of a remote bomb match half populated by bots where the real players just spawn killed the entire time. After about a minute he asked me to turn it off and said it was the worst FPS experience of his life; this coming from a guy that's enjoyed every single James Bond videogame that's come out, including "Nightfire".

Wow, thats really sad. I hadnt recieved the chance to play much PD0, but all the impressions are rather depressing.

[Spigot]

It's too bad that Microsoft snapped up the pinata concept -- this game would've been a lot better with the Revolution controller.

edit:Goddamn, beaten to the obvious joke once again
Joke? Who said I was joking?

[bean19]

Wow, thats really sad. I hadnt recieved the chance to play much PD0, but all the impressions are rather depressing.

Give it a shot if you liked Goldeneye or No One Lives Forever.

Or read a professional review. There is a lot to love about PD:Z, but people are right that the single player didn't offer anything new from a Bond game except new gadgets (and excellent co-op), and the sensitivity is really low.

This actually helps line up precision shots if you are good at taking cover and aiming, which is preferred as the reticle splatters fire like reticles do in Counter-Strike. Still, it could have been more sensitive to account for other game styles (including mine. . . I'll miss a few headshots if it means I can line up several on the run when using the right weapon for it and not using aim to zoom. . . you know the moving three-shot burster tactic. . . I'll still stop and aim when I'm not seen, but slow aiming means that there is a half second between my being able to line up on different targets while on the run unless they are close to each other).

Bottom line is that this thread is pointing out the negatives of the game. . . and there are some, but it is still a really solid title that I would recommend to anyone that likes spy-style FPS games. . . especially if you are as big a fan as I am of online co-op.

[Heretic Machine]

Where the hell is my Killer Instinct? I mean aside from Golden Eye and Perfect Dark, wasn't that one of there better selling games? Not counting the nintendo stuff mind you.

A lot of people ask that question. I don't think anyone has ever been given a good answer either.

[Xerxes]

Someone once tried to claim nintendo had the license but I proved that Rare still holds it. I can only guess rare is only a shell of what it was, minus any of the makers of the first two. But Rare doesn't totally suck. It's just the content they've been putting out is shit. Ghoulies in my bathroom or something? What the hell is that?!

It seems like no one at MS knows who Rare is, or played a fucking fighter. Suprised they got out a PD. Not a ideal version but they did find one of Rare's bigger licenses.