The colorful cast of “Viva Piñata™,” a new game for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, will be the bearers of fun, music, children’s activities and video game demonstrations at six launch events in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. Microsoft Corp. will host the multicity tour to celebrate the launch of “Viva Piñata” for the Xbox 360, as well as to provide parents with information about online safety and “Viva Piñata”-related educational programs for children.

“The Xbox 360 game ‘Viva Piñata’ inspired us to take the spirit of the game and expand the concept to create learning tools to help kids experience more about their Hispanic heritage in a fun and engaging way,” said Chris Di Cesare, director of Xbox marketing at Microsoft. “One example is a ‘Viva Piñata’ digital desktop pet piñata that people can download to their computer. Every day the piñata will share new information about Hispanic culture from key holidays to Spanish vocabulary.”

Children attending the events can enjoy piñata-making workshops, interactive video game demonstrations and the opportunity to be photographed with the characters from the “Viva Piñata” animated TV series. A traditional piñata breaking game will also give children an opportunity to win an Xbox 360 and “Viva Piñata” game.