THQ is hoping to expand the DS's PictoChat features with its soon-to-be-released Ping Pals app.
The game, if you will, encourages players to "chat" by rewarding coins for chat-based minigames (e.g.
pictionary). Coins can be used to purchase items to upgrade your on-screen persona—and Konami has plans to include some
extremely rare items, even limiting when such items are available. Players without the game can also participate in the
chatter, but won't be able to earn coins or alter their personas. And if you can't find anyone on the network, you can
always strike up a conversation with the AI! Look for Ping Pals to launch December 7.
Engadget
TUAW