Paperback Viva Piñata Strategy Guide for only $11.55

[jimmcq]

Amazon.com currently has the paperback Viva Pinata Strategy Guide from Prima available for only $11.55 (http://astore.amazon.com/pinata-20/detail/0761554378/103-0828134-1024622)!

http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/I/21XHN2uB0uL._OU01_SL70_PI32-percent,BottomRight,0,0_CR0,0,55,70_.jpg

All Pinatas Detailed - Full information and stats on all 60 Pinatas. From resident requirements to romance conditions.
Full List of Items - Complete details on all the items in the game, including every seed, tool, decoration, service and much more!
Garden Strategies - Prima gives tips for making money fast, laying out your garden, and many other tactics to make your garden a Pinata haven!
All Content Authorized - Unofficial information is out there (http://pinataisland.info/index.php?title=Main_Page), but Prima's guide will have all the info, fully authorized and accurate, right at a player's fingertips.
Order now! (http://astore.amazon.com/pinata-20/detail/0761554378/103-0828134-1024622)


EDIT: The Amazon UK link is http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0761554378/?tag=pinata-20

[Cloud7654]

I'd buy this if I didn't have a laptop. It sounds awesome, but why doesn't any website have a picture!?

Edit: Sweet a picture! :P

[Ryan44]

Regarding the Viva Piñata Strategy Guide from Prima:

I hate to ask this, but hasn't the VP Wiki site made the VP strategy guide a bit redundant?

Then again, as Jim made clear, the guide's authorized, so I'll cover what the Wiki cannot.


All Content Authorized - Unofficial information is out there (http://pinataisland.info/index.php?title=Main_Page), but Prima's guide will have all the info, fully authorized and accurate, right at a player's fingertips.

Overall, I'd say it's necessary for the VP game fanatics here on PIF who plan to get everything out of the game, but not so for the casual fans--like myself--who are content with the Piñata Island site.

Ryan44, PIF RP Leader

[FeralKitty]

Wow, that's a great price for a Prima strategy guide :)

[Spartan]

Pay $11.55 or just use the wiki? Hmmm, by now I'm pretty sure the wiki is just as good as a strategy guide so I don't think I'll be interested in it.

[zach3116]

Pay $11.55 or just use the wiki? Hmmm, by now I'm pretty sure the wiki is just as good as a strategy guide so I don't think I'll be interested in it.

I think I'm gonna have to agree with ya Sparty! (Hope you don't mind if I call you that. I like giving people nicknames)

[Spartan]

Normally I would kill someone for calling me that but you seem so happy that I'll let you get away with it. :P

[zach3116]

Three cheers for Sparty!
Hip hip! - Hooray!
Hip hip! - Hooray!
Hip hip! - Hooray!

Thanks Sparty! If you want you can give me a nickname too =P But you don't have to. lol, Sorry I am in a really weird mood right now.

[Ryan44]

Pay $11.55 or just use the wiki? Hmmm, by now I'm pretty sure the wiki is just as good as a strategy guide so I don't think I'll be interested in it.





I think I'm gonna have to agree with ya Sparty! (Hope you don't mind if I call you that. I like giving people nicknames)

Yes, my friends and I have reached some kind of consensus: The VP strategy guide is overkill.

Normally I would kill someone for calling me that but you seem so happy that I'll let you get away with it. :P

Three cheers for Sparty!
Hip hip! - Hooray!
Hip hip! - Hooray!
Hip hip! - Hooray!

Thanks Sparty! If you want you can give me a nickname too =P But you don't have to. lol, Sorry I am in a really weird mood right now.

Another consensus: We're all happy!
:D

[IrisKandi]

For all of us, the strategy guide is useless, but think of the people who don't own VP and are too scared to at least rent it. This way they can say "Oh! I have always wondered about this game. Let's have a look at what it's all about." They will pick up this guide, flip through the pages, say "By George, that sounds AWESOME!"

They buy VP and the strategy guide, and we are all happy.

[rashberry]

There's definately some people who will pick up and read a strategy guide who wouldn't go on line and find the wiki. We didn't provide a strategy guide when the game launched as all the secrets within would have been copied up to a website within days. I hope that those people who got the game last November and helped discover the secrets of the game and build the wiki would agree that was the right decision.

Rashberry

[GhostGundam]

So are you hinting that there might be more secrets inside that guide?!

Who is getting the guide? Who? Who? I want to know! :D

[IrisKandi]

I think that I will flip through it in the store. Sorry RARE, but I really don't need to buy it.

I do agree that it was a good time to release the strategy guide.

[rashberry]

So are you hinting that there might be more secrets inside that guide?!

Not that I'm aware of, but then I've learnt a few things I didn't know on these forums and the wiki.

Rashberry

[GhostGundam]

So are you hinting that there might be more secrets inside that guide?!

Not that I'm aware of, but then I've learnt a few things I didn't know on these forums and the wiki.

Rashberry

Hmmm :roll:

[jimmcq]

I hope that those people who got the game last November and helped discover the secrets of the game and build the wiki would agree that was the right decision.

This site (and its community) would not exist if a paperback strategy guide revealed all of the secrets on day one.

[Katholm1117]

Wow, that's a great price for a Prima strategy guide :)

Indeed, usually they are like 15 to 20 dollars, i think i might go ad pick it uo later,anyone think i shouldn't?

[BIGsheep]

Well I picked up the Halo guides once I'd completely finished everything just for the artwork. If the VP art in the book is interesting then I'll probably get one for posterity's sake.

[MikkDC]

Well I picked up the Halo guides once I'd completely finished everything just for the artwork. If the VP art in the book is interesting then I'll probably get one for posterity's sake.

I'll end up doing the same. I have a few Prima game guides and the quality of them is superb. Its always handy having the information on hand while playing the game too.

When is it due out in the UK and how much will it cost? They're usually around £12.99 arent they?

[rashberry]

It's already up for pre-order on Amazon.co.uk at £8.77. Here's the link http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0761554378/?tag=pinata-20

Rashberry

[Pierre The Parrybo]

i bought a half life 2 startagy guide and that was good so i might get the viva pinata

[MikkDC]

It's already up for pre-order on Amazon.co.uk at £8.77. Here's the link http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0761554378/?tag=pinata-20

Rashberry

Thanks :)

Thats much cheaper than advertised on the Prima site (its £12.99/$16.99 there)

[Chuzzlewit]

We have all been lucky to see a preview of it this morning, and I must say it looks GORGEOUS!!! :mrgreen:

[rynniex]

i'd get just so i didn't have to keep getting up to go to my computer, or boot up my laptop. :D

[jimmcq]

There is an interesting quote on page 89 of the strategy guide (in the Dragonache section).

Legend has it that a Dragonache hatched on sand is yellow in color, and one hatched on snow is pure white.

[BIGsheep]

There is an interesting quote on page 89 of the strategy guide (in the Dragonache section).Legend has it that a Dragonache hatched on sand is yellow in color, and one hatched on snow is pure white. I cannot comment on rumour or legend.

[jazziefox]

Mine is not being dispatched until May 22nd!

All that waiting!

[Spartan]

I cannot comment on rumour or legend.

I'll comment on that: You quite simply are screwed no offense. ;) :p :rolleyes:

[Moozipan]

Maybe the strategy guide gives a use for Peanut Butter.

[LordRavenBlack]

Amazon.com currently has the paperback Viva Pinata Strategy Guide from Prima available for only $11.55 (http://astore.amazon.com/pinata-20/detail/0761554378/103-0828134-1024622)!

All Content Authorized - Unofficial information is out there (http://pinataisland.info/index.php?title=Main_Page), but Prima's guide will have all the info, fully authorized and accurate, right at a player's fingertips.


There is an interesting quote on page 89 of the strategy guide (in the Dragonache section).
Legend has it that a Dragonache hatched on sand is yellow in color, and one hatched on snow is pure white.

We can only hope.

[Monkey_Tribe]

Looks like Prima is releasing a guide for Viva....

http://www.primagames.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780761554370

The preview looks pretty good, but does anyone else have plans of getting this?

I'm kind of hoping someone will buy this and tell if it is worth getting or not...hehe

[BIGsheep]

No offence, Monkey, but that's what the entire thread's been on about :)

We've seen some preview copies here at the office and I'm impressed by it. Each pinata gets their own double page spread and there are thousands and thousands of tables so you can find out what everything does. Very useful, especially if you can't have pinataisland.info open next to your Xbox.

[Monkey_Tribe]

Being new to the forums, I missed this thread and posted elsewhere. Thanks for moving my post to the appropriate thread, PI.Info!

I'm glad to have stumbled on this. I may get the guide afterall...

Thanks for swaying me in the right direction!

[BIGsheep]

Being new to the forums, I missed this thread and posted elsewhere. Thanks for moving my post to the appropriate thread, PI.Info!Ah, that explains it. Welcome to the forums!

[jimmcq]

Check out these page samples in PDF format:


Piñata Basics (http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/d/9/dd98d463-d3a6-4402-9b5b-6c064c7e0e3a/VivaPinata_Island_Basics.pdf)
The Inhabitants of Piñata Island (http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/d/9/dd98d463-d3a6-4402-9b5b-6c064c7e0e3a/VivaPinata_Island_Inhabitants.pdf)


The book should be shipping on Tuesday, so this is your last chance to pre-order:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761554378/?tag=pinata-20
http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/P/0761554378.01._OU01_SL77_PI32-percent,BottomRight,0,0_CR0,0,60,77_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761554378/?tag=pinata-20)

[GhostGundam]

Very nice, Jim. That really helps with giving us an idea what the guide is like inside. Thanks!

[FeralKitty]

Whoo! My strategy guide arrived today from Amazon.com, and I took 45 minutes to look through it. It's well-organized, information is clearly presented, and I must say that the renders* are quite nice. I especially enjoy seeing all the species' different color variants. The clear images of the romance mazes are also very useful (with invisible loathers clearly identified).

* In fact, when I got to the sour section I was like... "Whoa!"... because they seem larger than life, and quite ready to leap off the page. :eek:

I'm actually quite impressed with the guide. I learned a handful of tips and tricks that I didn't know, and have never seen mentioned on the wiki.

If you appreciate the convenience of a printed guide that you can flip through, I have to say that it's an excellent value for its price.

[jimmcq]

I especially enjoy seeing all the species' different color variants. The clear images of the romance mazes are also very useful (with invisible loathers clearly identified).

Pictures of the variants and romance mazes were always something that I have wanted to add to the wiki, but I really don't have any good way to capture high-quality images from the Xbox.

Just as an FYI for anyone that has gotten the guide... We cannot have any copyright violations on the wiki so don't post any exact quotes from the strategy guide. You can always post things that are facts... but come up with your own original wording whenever possible.

[DragonacheKing99]

Wow I read through that sample and it looked very good. They didn't know what the use for peanut butter was either but said it may be valuable in the future like maybe an expansion or Vp2. Maybe I will get it now it looked very imformative I was amazed.

[BIGsheep]

Just as an FYI for anyone that has gotten the guide... We cannot have any copyright violations on the wiki so don't post any exact quotes from the strategy guide. You can always post things that are facts... but come up with your own original wording whenever possible.I'd like to second Jimmcq's plea here, please respect the copyright. I would encourage people to double check things on the wiki, though, to make sure it (and the book, actually) is correct.

[Nautius Maximus]

We've seen some preview copies here at the office and I'm impressed by it. Each pinata gets their own double page spread and there are thousands and thousands of tables so you can find out what everything does. Very useful, especially if you can't have pinataisland.info open next to your Xbox.

<sigh> being at 108, I figured this was at least one guide I would be immune to. Now you've gone and cost me more cash. Rats!

[rashberry]

As requested in the Graphics forum some time ago, we are in the (slow) process of getting many of the renders (as used in the strategy guide) on to the Rare and official VP website. The usual kind of polite usage will be fine, as with the renders included in the Fan Site Kit last autumn.

Rashberry

[GhostGundam]

rashberry, I was just thinking about asking that question ... thank you for answering it. I think many of us would like to get our hands on more, if not all, of the renders. Thank you!

I am getting ready to order the VP Guide myself .. just trying to figure out what else I can buy to make up for the free shipping at $25. :)

[rashberry]

The Amazon free delivery dilemma, been there myself. Wait until a new CD/DVD/Book comes out that you really want, or order something else now you don't really need just to get 'free' delivery. I wonder what studies Amazon have done on this - I'd be very surprised if they hadn't figured out that it's a nice little earner.

Rashberry

[TehSheeep]

I would just rather use the wiki.

(First post)

[CheeseyMonkey31]

I would just rather use the wiki.

(First post)

I agree

Welcome to PIF:D

[GhostGundam]

The Amazon free delivery dilemma, been there myself. Wait until a new CD/DVD/Book comes out that you really want, or order something else now you don't really need just to get 'free' delivery. I wonder what studies Amazon have done on this - I'd be very surprised if they hadn't figured out that it's a nice little earner.

Rashberry

I found a coworker that wanted something for $17 for a while too, and we decided to buy both items ASAP! :D

[DoubleJ169]

Lol, good thing it all worked out for you.:)

[rashberry]

It's already up for pre-order on Amazon.co.uk at £8.77. Here's the link http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0761554378/?tag=pinata-20

Rashberry

Now they've got it available at amazon.co.uk, it's only £7.77.

Rashberry

[DoubleJ169]

I could really use those renders, hope they come out soon!

[rashberry]

I now have a copy of the strategy guide on my desk and "it's mighty fine". It's the thickest strategy guide I've ever seen by a 'wide' margin :p

The renders are scheduled for release on the website starting in the first week of May. We're going to do a few at a time.

Rashberry

[BIGsheep]

Ah, it's even better in paperform than it was in pdf. I don't know whether it's just my natural love of logic or some strange pervesity I didn't know about, but I really love the huge amount of tables this thing has.

[GhostGundam]

I just got my guide today from Amazon finally, and it is nice. I have already learned a few things from the first 10 pages. Very nice!

[DoubleJ169]

I might order it soon. But I need to get some more money because I had enough but then I bought the new halo 2 maps lol.

[the7threclaimer]

I now have a copy of the strategy guide on my desk and "it's mighty fine". It's the thickest strategy guide I've ever seen by a 'wide' margin :p

Rashberry

have you seen the oblivion guide?:eek:

[jazziefox]

I just got my guide today from Amazon finally, and it is nice. I have already learned a few things from the first 10 pages. Very nice!

Have you had trouble receiving yours, too, GG?

Mine was apparently sent via Royal Mail last Saturday, but it still hasn't arrived. :(

I'm really looking forward to receiving it, though.
Hope nothing bad happened to it on the way here...

[GhostGundam]

No, I am in the US, so it is not International mail. International always takes longer. I am sure it will be there.

I am really glad that I got the guide. It is great for referencing the pictures, especially for my girls.

[masterchief2263]

I got the guide today i am so happy it shows me every thing . I know you could find it online but i have a big house and my computers on one side and my Xbox360 is on the other side and trust me i have a big house.

[MASTERMAXX713]

some info is incorrect like it does not say the right thing like it could say seed and its the flower or oppisite , so if it says it and you try to do it like feed a water lilly seed to mouse or something and it does not do it go and plant it then feed it the flower, so far i think i have only come across one and i do not remember which pinata it was for.

[Lensflare]

I bought the guide the day after I bought the game, and I loved it. It is not the biggest strategy guide I have, the Forza Motorsport 2 guide is just about as big as it, but it's kinda small. The guide is pretty hefty, though. Myself being obsessed with smelling things, I like slick pages better, like in magazines. That coarse paper just doesn't do it justice... XD

Mine cost $15 at BestBuy, plus I didn't have to wait for shipping. :D

[Jedi Mike]

All man!! I got mine for $16.99.:mad:

[Senses Fail]

does the strategy guide even mention wild cards?

[the_galagoogoo]

Yep. I Checked. There Is One. I Bought One.
Anyway, Just Wanted To Note Everyone.

[Blade]

Yes, thanks for that, but we know these things. This forum knows many things before the thing even comes out :)

[Cramble333]

Yeah, we're like all-knowing dwarves. :mrgreen:

[SD rulez]

Lol, "Buy this book for $11.55, or turn on your computer and go to PIF!" hmmmm. Decisions...

[FeralKitty]

Lol, "Buy this book for $11.55, or turn on your computer and go to PIF!" hmmmm. Decisions...

It doesn't have to be an 'either, or' decision... A good number of PIF members and staff have done both. :D

[PINATAcast]

FYI, the images in the book are not copyrighted by Prima, they are by Microsoft, and if it is copyright violation for us to use images, this site is WAY past BUSTED.

I have been in contact with the author of this book, and there are no problems with Quoting from the book if you are pointing out errors.

If you have found errors in the book, go here and post:

http://pinataisland.info/index.php?title=Prima_Strategy_Guide

the author actually visits this site/that page often and they will make changes to the e-version of their book as we find errors.

On another topic of weather or not a strat. guide is better than a wiki is determined by one thing.

Are you a digital native or digital immigrant? Most of you probably aren't familiar with the term, but basically it means, were the first 5-8 years of your life spent rapped up in technology or not.

A digital native is "Home" on the net. He/she doesnt feel fear when surfing or finding something they don't understand on the net. (Such as an interactive community dictionary such as a wiki)

A digital Immigrant grew up reading books instead of PDFs and ebooks. They went to the library instead of google. When they need to make a call in public they would rather use a toll phone than a cell. To these people the strategy guide is exactly what they need. 2 pages per animal. sectioned off per class of animal. huge tables with columns and rows in the appendix of the book.

And don't automatically just say its an age thing. There are many teens and young adults today they enjoy an analog life rather then a digital.

Point is, if something is worthless, a huge company such as Prima wouldn't waste their $ and create books. Since there are MANY game book companies, there is defiantly a market for them.

My main beef with the process is that the authos need more time with the game to write a better book. More time in the game mean less errors in the print.

[jimmcq]

FYI, the images in the book are not copyrighted by Prima, they are by Microsoft, and if it is copyright violation for us to use images, this site is WAY past BUSTED.

This site does not use a single image or scan from the book.

[Spartan]

FYI, the images in the book are not copyrighted by Prima, they are by Microsoft, and if it is copyright violation for us to use images, this site is WAY past BUSTED.

My main beef with the process is that the authos need more time with the game to write a better book. More time in the game mean less errors in the print.

You know more time and effort for different members was probably put into the wiki than in to that guide. Maybe not into art to make it look pretty, but as for info.

[PINATAcast]

This site does not use a single image or scan from the book.

you missed what i said. the images... in the book.. are not copyrighted by the publisher... Prima.

All images of the Viva pinata game are copyrighted by Microsoft.

This site is made up of 1000s of screen caps and images from the game. Every one of those images are copyrighted by microsoft.

If M$ had an issue with you guys using the screen shots, you would have already been sued.

the POINT... is that you can scan the books images of game play (Like the mating maps.) because the images dont belong to the book company... they belong to M$. Get it?

[PINATAcast]

You know more time and effort for different members was probably put into the wiki than in to that guide. Maybe not into art to make it look pretty, but as for info.


o no doubt. theres tens of thousands of hours dedicated to this site. it rocks!

[Spartan]

Didn't Major Nelson at one time endorse PI? I'm not quite sure but I do know that both Rare, Krome, Gamerscoreblog and the Xbox.com mods know about us and I doubt has ever had a problem with Jim.

Look at it this way, when MS wants the VP franchise to do well, but it is struggling, we are one of their closest allies.

[rashberry]

Fan sites, like PinataIsland = Good
Scanning in the Prima guide, printing your own copies and selling them on ebay = Bad

That's that sorted.

Rashberry

[Dark_MEMENTO]

Lol, "Buy this book for $11.55, or turn on your computer and go to PIF!" hmmmm. Decisions...

The minus side is that you may have to fork out 6 five pound notes (Or whatever it is in USA money) to pay for a web connection...

Also, regarding rashberry's comment about how big it was, I'm guessing you've not seen the Dragon Quest 8 guide?

It makes Harry Potter seem as big as Spot the Dog.

[Poppun]

Has anyone noticed the irony of buying a book about pinatas? The irony being that they are both made of paper, glue and pigment

[PINATAcast]

i dont get it. lol

[Dark_MEMENTO]

It's a depth prase, fyi...Poppun is stating that you are reading a paper book, about animals made of paper, who might read books made of paper, which contain Pinatas, made of paper, which are legends in books, made of paper, which are read by pinatas, made of paper...

it's a continuous cycle of irony.