Viva Piñata missing from top Xbox Live titles
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Dec 9th 2006 at 3:25PM }
Major Nelson has released this week's Xbox Live activity report*. Gears of War is still atop the heap, but where's Viva Piñata?Microsoft's 'other' big holiday title has enjoyed favorable reception, but continues to maintain a low profile. Perhaps most of the kid-centric fanbase is unplugged, but we're wondering if some older gamers are signing out of their Live accounts before doing the Piñata dance. After all, a gamertag like '[l33t]murd3rd34thk1ll187' would lose its impact if an all-night session of Viva Piñata was being broadcast to Xbox Live community members.
In related news, check out the Lost Planet multiplayer demo's position; it currently ranks fourth among Xbox 360's most popular Live titles. Could this be foreshadowing another Capcom hit, or is it just proof that we love freebies?
*Activity lists are calculated using data collected from unique Xbox Live users (all games are included; not just multiplayer titles).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nerdhater @ Dec 9th 2006 3:44PM
it's a nice shot, but I fail to see why this should be succesful.
Beano @ Dec 9th 2006 4:01PM
I think that Microsoft's marketing department really did a bad job with Viva Piñata. Every time I read about this game they always seemed to emphasise that it was a kids game, which simply doesn't do it justice.
Peacefuloutrage @ Dec 9th 2006 5:02PM
I enjoyed playing Viva Pinata. Although I played Gears with my limited time yesterday, it's a lot of fun and addicting. The only thing that sucks is I grabbed the first copy I saw on the shelf during lunch. When I got home, I noticed the limited edition packaging looks like it is aimed at a SPECIFIC demographic.
Matt_M @ Dec 9th 2006 4:19PM
I think part of the low profile is kids-related: parents waiting for the holidays to present the children with a gift. I know that's what I would do.
But aside from that, Microsoft pursued this ultra-macho userbase from Day 1, and they're reaping what they have sown. They were content to let the all ages crowd hang out with Sly Cooper, Mario, and other mascots on the other platforms and half-heartedly sought all-ages material for its own console. To expect a miracle turnout for Viva Pinata is pretty damn naive.
But that Lost Planet demo- that's the stuff, that's the stuff right there.
Dirk Dorkelson @ Dec 9th 2006 4:32PM
It's kind of unfortunate that after all these years of making mediocre titles that sold well (though Perfect Dark Zero multiplayer still is great, IMO), Rare has made a decent title that no one seems to be buying.
I expect I'll get it as a Xmas gift, which is why I haven't bought it yet. I'm stoked to play this game.
Dirtyboy @ Dec 9th 2006 4:38PM
I think the problem is Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 have never been seen as kiddie console. The majority of titles are aimed at the usual 18-30something crowd, so why would it sell well if a lot of it's target audience doesn't have a 360 to begin with?
If it wasn't for my current glut of games, I would pick it up though...
wolvie75 @ Dec 9th 2006 9:23PM
I just picked up Viva yesterday. But i'm waiting to play it until finish some of the other games (Gears and COD3) i have.
But i have a feeling that this game could be filed under "great game no one bought"
audioeric @ Dec 9th 2006 4:47PM
I agree that this game should be up higher. I've put in a lot of hours with it so far and so has my partner.
This game is much more than a kiddie game, and is ULTRA addictive.. I spent almost 2 hours trying to get my Candaries to do it, while trying to grow more Chili Peppers to make more money.. Great game!!
Jonah Falcon @ Dec 9th 2006 4:49PM
For me, the online component is so archiac and difficult-to-understand. They made it too convoluted.
Brandon @ Dec 9th 2006 4:59PM
Signing out of Live wouldn't be enough, they'd still get the Achievements that would show up. They'd have to create an entirely different profile. Which makes it all the more funny if they are.
Anonymouse Rep @ Dec 9th 2006 5:03PM
Based on what I've seen in the stores, I think Matt and Dirk are correct.
The game IS selling - however, it's going right from the store to under the tree. I've seen many, many parents in stores standing with lists in front of the video game sections over the last week.
What's amusing (in one respect, anyway) is how many of them don't have a clue. Lots of lists I've seen from 12 & 13 year olds have Viva Pinata on them - along with Saints Row. I've given a few parents some advice without them asking for it about situations like that.
beaker @ Dec 9th 2006 5:15PM
Viva Pinata is sitting under our tree. I bought it for my son. MS hasn't put out many games for the 360 that are appealing to kids (Lego Star Wars comes to mind, but not much else).
I've been reading that Viva is crack in a game box, and now I'm dying with anticipation. I really would buy this game for myself, and it's killing me to have to wait for my kid to unwrap it.
My son specifically asked mom for this one (along with that 360 force feedback steering wheel, heh heh!) so it's likely to be a good Christmas around my house. I'm glad he's old enough now that I can double dip on the Christmas presents. And, oh yeah, he asked Santa for the Wii. (Which I'm absolutely sure Santa is bringing, if you know what I mean.)
knobjockey @ Dec 10th 2006 12:05AM
i do tend to agree with other posters, maybe it has been pushed to much to kids. Every Podcast and review about this game has positive reviews. even hardcore shoot em up gamers are playing it. but maybe the online element just isn't good enough. or the kids just don't want to play it........................online
otakucode @ Dec 9th 2006 7:10PM
Yeah, I'd probably put it down not to adults signing out of Live but to lots of players not giving the game a chance because they're shallow idiots afraid that liking a cute game would threaten their masculinity (all you insecure guys age 12 - 21, I'm looking at you), and the kids that play are being socially crippled by their parents not letting them play games online.
sploy @ Dec 10th 2006 9:29AM
I have a ten year old brother (who obviously has access to my 360) and a ten year old cousin who has a 360 of his own, and they both think that viva pinata looks too childish for them, so the visual style obviously doesn't excite kids of that age. And the complexity of the game may actually be warding off players under the age of ten.
Honestly, if this is aimed at kids then I think its totally off the mark. But as a management sim for adults, hell yeah its brilliant!! but the visual style will probably prevent it from becoming massively popular with adults.
pattyblades @ Dec 9th 2006 7:47PM
i just bought it today, me and my younger sister played for about 5 hours together, this is a great game to bring in the non gamer imo, it like sims, but you control the environment, not the pinata
pattyblades @ Dec 9th 2006 7:55PM
oh, sorry, add one more thing to my post, the case, not such good quality. Great design, poor materials
Neccy @ Dec 9th 2006 8:24PM
I've been playing that damn game all week and i'm 28, i don't know what's more worring, the constant playing or mistakingly calling them pokemon from time to time.
Personally I love it, but I dont think it's a surprise that it hasn't been that noticed along side the other huge titles that have been released in recent weeks.
Also I agree with #7 that the online side of the game feels a bit bolted on, and i feel that if there was more fun involved in the online side of things it would be getting alittle more attention.
Pete C @ Dec 9th 2006 8:26PM
Well, duh. Xbox Live usage is naturally going to be less for a kids or family title than something like Gears of War or any other title aimed at teens and adults. That's just common sense. People that buy Gears are already thinking about deathmatches and blowing people's heads off when they buy it. The audience for Viva is quite different. I know my nephew will not be going online with his copy of Viva Pinata when he gets it for Christmas. So, I don't see what kind of barometer this is for how well Viva is doing. From the reviews, MS has hit its mark right on the money. This is the type of game Rare should be making...going back to their roots with colorful, creative characters and worlds. With Banjo 3 up next, hopefully Rare is back to form.
BIGGEN @ Dec 9th 2006 8:27PM
by the way, Lost Planet multi blows Gears multi away
DesignerKid @ Dec 9th 2006 8:29PM
As Jonah mentions, the reason it's not getting any play online is that it's completely convoluted. I spent the better part of 30 minutes looking for it initially; even went as far as to watch the online safety video.
It wasn't until after I reached a particular level that online even became available. I was actually convinced that the damn feature was actually cut (what little functionality they actually put into it)
Features like that should be available, or at least visible but locked, right out of the box.
I love the art style and think the concept is incredibly brilliant. I really wanted to enjoy the game but in my opinion it doesn't hold a candle to Animal Crossing - which was exactly what this was conceived from.
I'm not saying it's bad, I just think they could've done more with it.
John Voyles @ Dec 10th 2006 3:01AM
Pinata has very-very limited Live functionailty,this was implimented to protect younger players acording to MS. to tell you the truth ,I bought this game to give to my knephew,I thought I would check it out , I am totally addicted to it this hybrid,and now i am buying another copy for him
mocax @ Dec 10th 2006 1:33AM
xbox live is for evil grownups!
I'll never play another online game again!
Play @ Dec 10th 2006 1:36AM
This game is under my tree right now. I have a bunch of friends in the mid 30s who are currently enjoying it right now. I have only seen the sat morning kids cartoon, and ZERO ads for this game. I think whoever is marketing this game probably has no idea. They need to market it to the SIMS gamers, which is s HUGE market, because all I hear about is how its like the SIMS but very whacked out and endlessly fun.
Microsoft or Rare needs some new marketing people, I think.
usagizero @ Dec 10th 2006 2:30AM
I'm 36 and i play this game more than Gears of War. I prefer the more quirky games to another shooter, which there are way to many of, but that apparently is just me.
DrXym @ Dec 10th 2006 6:03AM
For a game aimed at kiddies, the EU version of Via Pinata has some horrible technical requirements. Read the small print of the box and it tells you your TV needs to be able to run PAL-60 if you want it to work. Which stinks.
BillDoE @ Dec 10th 2006 6:49AM
I'm 39. I don't sign off. I just Appear Offline, so I don't get bothered with invites & messages. The game is fun for a while, then gets quite boring if you ask me. Yeah, I got my 50 hours in already, but I have winters off.
Boris Shubinsky @ Dec 10th 2006 8:52AM
I'm not playing Viva Pinata online because my Xbox refuses to play it. It freezes in every copy I've had (5). Microsoft doesn't know the problem, and they basically want to charge me $140 (plus my own box and shipping) so they can check to see if "maybe there is a hardware problem".
VGGEN Andrew @ Dec 10th 2006 10:03AM
@15
Oh yeah, I've done that...in fact, I've just given up, I now call them Pokemon whenever anyone asks me about the game, my brain is on default now. Still, it is a great game - a nice mix between Pokemon and Harvest Moon - but the Live functionality is quite limited. Then again, the entire game is rather limited - would it have been too much to ask to be able to explore that island, go on a little hunter-gatherer quest for some more rare items? Would have been a lot better if you had to observe these things in the wild to figure out what they need, but perhaps that is just me.
Tony @ Dec 10th 2006 10:06AM
As you play the game, a post office opens up. You buy a box, you put something in it and it asks which of your friends you want to send it to. You're introduced to the online component of the game really early on. Having it the second the game starts is almost pointless, especially considering you'd have nothing worth trading at that point.
And, regardless, that has NOTHING to do with its standing on this list. If you're on Live at all when you're playing it, it's recorded. That's why things like the Superman Demo, with no online aspects at all, have appeared on this list.
Unimental @ Dec 10th 2006 4:08PM
I bought Gears and Viva on release and, due to an unhealthy but highly entertaining obsession with the former, have not even placed the latter in my 360 yet.
Thus there's no Viva on my gamercard yet.
FalseProphecy @ Dec 10th 2006 9:02PM
...*cough*Demolition Man FTW.*cough*
hey alex @ Dec 12th 2006 11:59PM
When released, Viva Pinata sold out quickly in my area, and was not available again for another week. I just picked it up, but have not been able to play because I'm knee deep in other new games.
Gamer G @ Dec 11th 2006 4:23AM
This game's sales will grow with word of mouth and because it does not have any competition in the forseeable future unlike gears, vegas etc.
Also I have yet to see any magaizne reviews so many people wont know anything about the game yet imo
bitterbug @ Dec 12th 2006 3:37PM
I've worked in a bit of both Gears and Viva Pinata, but I've only beaten Gears so far :) Up to 540 points on VP though, and shooting to complete the whole thing. The menu system slows the player down, and the romance mini-game is crap filler, but the game is still fun. It's always rewarding to see a new creature appear and wander into your garden.