Viva Pinata - Universe Revealed Entertainment Property Brought to Life by Microsoft, Rare and 4Kids Entertainment. Spontaneous and fun, pinata-filled world showcased via animated television series, immersive Xbox 360 video game and wide range of merchandise.

REDMOND, Wash., and NEW YORK - March 15, 2006 - Microsoft Game Studios and 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. today celebrate the introduction of Viva Pinata, a high-energy, mass-appeal entertainment property created by Rare Ltd. that brings a vibrant world of living pinata animals to video games, television and beyond. The Viva Pinata universe showcases an engaging cast of colorful, wild-roaming pinata animals that entertain and challenge imaginations.

Viva Pinata will offer a number of entertainment elements enjoyable for everyone - from kids to adults. The Viva Pinata world will include a Saturday morning 3-D animated television series, slated to premiere this fall on 4Kids TV on FOX, that is produced and created by 4Kids Entertainment, known for such powerhouse properties as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, Cabbage Patch Kids and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. An immersive video game developed by Rare Ltd. exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system is scheduled to debut this holiday worldwide, enabling gamers to create and customize pinata-filled adventures in their own evolving world.

"With Viva Pinata, we are introducing a revolutionary brand that will entertain, inspire and excite children, families and creative minds around the globe," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. "With Rare and 4Kids Entertainment we will best showcase the vibrant world of Viva Pinata, enabling a mass audience to have an immersive experience via the animated television series, the Xbox 360 title and related merchandise."

Viva Pinata - The Animated Television Series
The Viva Pinata television series is set to air in the U.S. in fall 2006 on 4Kids TV - 4Kids Entertainment's four hours of children's programming broadcast Saturday mornings on FOX. In this comedy series, created by 4Kids Entertainment, a cast of pinata friends embark on wild adventures on Pinata Island. The appealing characters and their charming personalities are sure to entertain and stimulate the series, and audience as they accompany the pinata characters on their zany adventures.

"We are very excited about partnering with Microsoft to share the Viva Pinata universe with the world," said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. "The potent combination of the Microsoft Game Studios and 4Kids will ensure that the Viva Pinata world, including the video game, television series and merchandising program, attracts a worldwide audience."

Viva Pinata for Xbox 360
Set to release this holiday season worldwide, Viva Pinata is a customizable, social and spontaneous game that invites players of all ages and skills to explore an immersive world where they are challenged to create and maintain a living garden ecosystem that grows in real time. Beginning with a few basic tools, players build and take control of their environment to attract and host more than 60 species of wild pinata, utilizing hundreds of customizable elements to create their very own distinctively unique thriving paradise.

Viva Pinata gameplay continues to evolve with new content available via the Xbox Live service and the ability to play, trade and interact with more than 2 million gamers via the online service.

Following the strategic alliance previously announced in January 2006 with Microsoft, 4Kids exclusive representation agreement includes all broadcast, home video, music and merchandise licensing rights on a worldwide basis for the Viva Pinata property.