Krome Studios Announces Viva Pinata: Party Animals

Krome Studios has announced that it is working on the sequel to the popular Xbox 360 game Viva Piñata, called Viva Piñata: Party Animals.

Taking over from original developer Rare, Krome Studios is working with Microsoft Game Studios on the follow-up. In Viva Piñata: Party Animals, players will become contestants on the most popular reality television show on Piñata Island alongside a cast featuring characters such as Hudson Horstachio, Paulie Preztail, Franlin Fizzlybear and Fergy Fudgehog. The game will feature over 40 multiplayer party games, playable by up to four players at a time on the same console or over the Xbox Live network.

"We're very excited to work with Microsoft in making a fantastic series even better," said Krome Studios CEO Robert Walsh. "Viva Piñata is a wildly imaginative property that offers something unique for casual players as well as hardcore gamers. Party Animals will bring back what players love about the first game, but also deliver a set of all-new features and surprises."

Founded in 1999, Australia-based Krome Studios is one of the largest independent game developers in the world. Along with Viva Piñata: Party Animals, they are also currently working on Hellboy for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PSP, as well as The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii. All three titles are scheduled to ship for the 2007 holiday season.