Tue, May 13, 2008 | 12:00 BST
MS Gamer’s Day: Viva Pinata 2 details leaked, uses camera and cards
Bloody hell. Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise is subject to the leak treatment this morning, ahead of Microsoft’s Gamer’s Day in San Francisco today, with this NeoGaf poster claiming the newly-revealed game will feature support for physical cards and Xbox 360′s Visions Camera.
The news comes from a visit to the studio a few weeks ago.
VP2 (slated for September):
I will only touch on one feature here, as GI already touched on many of the more traditional improvements. This feature is extremely cool though, in two ways.
- VP2 uses the Vision Camera in combination with physical cards sorta like Eye of Judgement. It basically scans a small code on the card, when it’s being held up in front of the camera, and this can both insert custom designed pinatas, unlock buildings or abilities, change the weather and many other things. We were told how Rare had designed a moose that got a big, red nose only around christmas time… and this could be passed around with these cards.
- So the game also got a photo mode. Cool, but that’s not the best! This photo mode is able to interpret the pictures and create the above-mentioned code based on the picture. Basically, you will have a card generator available on the internet! Imagine this: you have created this really cool pinata and instead of the tiresome task of sending it only to selected friends on Live, you can take a picture of it, get the code/card generated and share it on a forum. Instantly everyone will be able to get the pinata in their game and since the camera can also read from LCD screens, ipods, zunes etc., there is little to no hassle. Now THAT’S sharing!
You can read up about all the other, substantial leaks on Microsoft’s planned announcements today right here. Thanks, Psychotext.
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Posted in: Microsoft, Simulation, Strategy, Xbox 360
Tags: microsoft gamer's day, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise
19 comments
#1
Blerk
13/05/08, 8:24 am
Wow, that sounds like complete donkey shite!
#2
patlike
13/05/08, 8:28 am
Aw, I think it sounds awesome. Such a pretty game.
#3
Blerk
13/05/08, 8:31 am
Well hopefully they kept the rest of the game intact when they were adding their pointless card-based novelties.
#4
morriss
13/05/08, 8:31 am
Me too. Loved the first one. Strange no-one’s mentioned Co-Op yet. There’s a screenshot with a watering can and a spade in it, i.e. two people in the same garden. That’s a story right there!!!
#5
Blerk
13/05/08, 8:37 am
When does Gamer’s Day kick off, then? Will there be anything still secret by then, do you think?
#6
morriss
13/05/08, 8:38 am
5pm BST. Basically, morning in San Fran.
#7
Blerk
13/05/08, 8:42 am
Curse that time difference. Kotaku are saying there’s a Sony press event on Friday. Is that true? First I’ve heard.
#8
morriss
13/05/08, 8:46 am
Don’t think so, no.
#9
patlike
13/05/08, 9:09 am
Not that I’ve heard, Blerk. Doesn’t mean there isn’t, though.
#10
Blerk
13/05/08, 9:16 am
Here’s the link. The story could probably be counted as ‘news’ too, I suppose. Although it’s not actually very interesting.
http://kotaku.com/389770/ps3-ad-spills-beans-on-tv-show-downloads
#11
patlike
13/05/08, 9:18 am
Ah, yeah. I skipped it. It’ll be a US-only thing and, as you say, it wasn’t that megaton. I’ll wait for the announcement.
#12
Tiger Walts
13/05/08, 9:30 am
I doubt the game will be crippled if you don’t have a camera and it’s actually good that they’re putting some proper community elements to the game. A little disappointed that it’s not a Live integration thing but who knows, it may thrive in the playground.
#13
Psychotext
13/05/08, 9:34 am
Ignoring the card thing, which I don’t really understand… this should be full of win. =)
#14
patlike
13/05/08, 9:35 am
I doubt anyone will be forced to use the camera. They can’t really do that, innit.
#15
Psychotext
13/05/08, 9:59 am
Preview from the guy who made the NeoGAF post:
http://www.gamereactor.dk/previews/69367/Viva+Pi%F1ata%3A+Trouble+in+Paradise/
#16
Psychotext
13/05/08, 10:00 am
Oh… and sadly it’s not in English. =)
#17
morriss
13/05/08, 10:35 am
I’ll translate it for you, gimme a sec. Oh wait…it’s massive, erm, I can’t be bothered. I’ll read it through and pick out the best bits.
#18
Psychotext
13/05/08, 10:39 am
I’ll post the Banjo one too then and you can cherry pick that. =)
#19
kasai
13/05/08, 11:05 am
I’m more excited about this and Banjo. I get a horrible feeling in my gut Banjo wont impress me much.