Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise

The original Viva Piñata has gradually morphed into something of a slow-burning success story for Rare, as typified by this autumn's Xbox 360 exclusive sequel. We were always fans of this colourful gardening escapade, and duly sat down with lead designer Justin Cook for a chat about the sequel, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise.

We loved the original Viva Piñata, but it didn't take the platform by storm at launch. Why do you think this was?

People are often wary when something new comes out of the blue. We set out to make a different type of game for the Xbox 360 and the people who know about games were brave enough to give it a try and find out what we set out to achieve.

Given the existence of the animated series, the DS title, and the mini-game spin-off, was a full Viva Piñata sequel ever in doubt?

Sequels are never guaranteed, unless you're following on from a runaway success. The team wanted to make a sequel and Microsoft could see there was an opportunity to build on something unique to their platform.

What do you believe was the key ingredient of Viva Piñata 1's success? How will this be continued, and perhaps expanded in this sequel?

I think Viva Piñata hangs on the behaviour of the piñata. They aren't little androids contentedly doing as they are told, in fact they are downright wilful so it's very satisfying getting them to do what you want. This time around we have added some new behaviours into the mix - piñata will play with each other as well as with the new 'toy' objects we've put into the game.

Tell us about how we'll be visiting each-other's gardens and playing together online in Trouble in Paradise. This seems like a key feature to us!

We wanted to put online play into the game last time and for a variety of reasons that just didn't happen. This time you get the full experience - sharing your garden with friends (up to four of you together in one garden). The owner gets to say what tools you can use (if he doesn't trust you, you only get to look around) and as you work together you gain experience and cash to use in your own garden.

Will there be a competitive element to VP online... and do you think this type of game can be about 'competition' generally?

Its really a co-op game experience, although we have included a talent show where the secret is choosing the right judge to help your piñata gain popularity. There is also a nifty little race game where any piñata from a garden can run against any other, both contests will increase your piñatas value.

How will the new VP be accessible to non-hardcore gamers, while at the same time keep Rare's avid fans smiling?

We've added a load of features for out hardcore fans. For example each piñata can now learn two tricks, this makes them more valuable but it's also a requirement for sending some piñata off to parties. For the people who are new to piñata we have a Just For Fun mode where the game has been stripped back to a very basic version. This allows players to have a fast-forward game and see lots of new piñata quickly without them eating each other or getting into fights. There’s unlimited cash so you can go to town dressing the piñata and the garden to your own personal tastes.

How much bigger and varied are your options as a gardener now?

We've given the player 30ish new species, two new areas to trap piñata, a complete new challenge system and a whole heap of new tools, tweaks and improvements to make the game bigger and more friendly to play. There’s lots more to do with your piñata once they have become resident this time and our testing team have taken twice as long to play through it all. It's a very large game if you want to see it all.

What can you tell us about the exotic new environments we'll be gardening in?

The two new areas are the Pinarctic and the Dessert Desert. You visit these regions to trap piñata and bring them back to your garden. To help the new piñata feel at home we give the player sand and snow packets so they can create a frozen wonderland, an arid desert, a beach or some weird new combination. There are lots of new options as well as the new stuff having an influence on some of the old favourites from the last game.

Can you tell us about any of the new creatures we'll be meeting in the game?

Sure! We have Pengums and Lemmonings from the Pinarctic, Camellos and Sweetles from the Dessert Desert and Bispottis and Tartridges appearing in the main garden. You'll also find that some of the old piñata have some new tricks up their sleeves too.

How does the Vision Camera connectivity work? Do you envisage this having clever applications?

We have created a system where the Live Vision camera can read codes from cards. We can create cards, and we have access to some little treats that would be otherwise impossible to see, but we've also put a photo mode in the game. You can upload the photos to the web site to let people see what you've created in your garden and you can turn the photos into cards so other people can print them out and have stuff out of your garden. We will be giving out cards where we can and we hope to pass on some nice surprises so keep an eye out for Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise news in case we slip a new card into the article.

Is there a story this time around, and if so how will this fit in with the sandbox game-style?

This time Professor Pester has broken into Piñata Central to get all the info about all the piñata. He's not too smart though so instead he has wiped out the records. Now Piñata Central needs someone to send piñata to parties to help them recover all their lost records.

What's this we hear about Piñata tricks? Has the way the player interacts with his or her animals changed?

There is a new tool called the trick stick. When piñata eat certain things they perform a special trick. If you see this happen and tap the piñata with the trick stick they learn the trick. Now, every time you tap them with the trick stick they will perform their trick.

Are mating dances back; has this side of the game changed at all?

Romance dances are back, and all the new species have some superb new music and dances to show you. What we have changed, are the romance mini-games. They've got new viewpoints so you can get close when the maze is tricky. They have different layouts as the population in the garden rises. One of the coolest features is that if you're really good at a romance dance you can earn yourself, twins or even a wildcard piñata! Wildcards are the strange mutant varieties of piñata, they were very rare in the last game but this time you can earn them!

The vivid visual style was a pleasure last time around. How has this been enhanced?

There have been some technical tweaks to the game's lighting and water to make it look even more lovely. The art style remains (it was one of our best features) but I'm sure people will get a kick out of seeing some of the new piñata species this time around.

Lastly, what do you see as the killer feature in VP: Trouble in Paradise, and how big do you think the series can be through this release?

We’ve added tonnes of new stuff to play and have fun with. We really think that this time more people will find things that they love about the game. For me the biggest 'feature' is the improved player experience. This time you can do what you want much more easily (as long as the piñata will let you) and I'm afraid that means you're going to find it even harder to tear yourself away from the screen.

Thanks for your time, Justin, and thanks to Ed Bryan for the specially crafted cover art he kindly made us.

By Luke Guttridge