Round-Up: Viva Pinata, Baja Racing, Microsoft Mouse

Today's round-up includes news of Viva Pinata's television debut, an agreement between Conspiracy and Broadsword to develop two Baja racing games, and the announcement of a new, high-tech gaming mouse co-developed by Microsoft, as well as the latest Game Career Guide updates, Serious Games Source news, GameSetWatch posts and Gamasutra job postings. - Viva Pinata, the 3D-animated cartoon series developed concurrently with the upcoming Rare-developed Xbox 360 title of the same name, makes its debut tomorrow morning on the Fox Network's Saturday morning lineup in the United States. The show follows a number of sentient piñatas who inhabit Pinata Island, waiting for the day that they are chosen to fulfill their roles as suppliers of candy at parties and events. Xbox Live users may watch trailers for the first two episodes of the series, in both 480p and 780p resolution, starting today. Viva Pinata is set to debut on the Xbox 360 this November. - European publisher Conspiracy Entertainment (Pocket Pool, Ultimate Block Party) has announced a partnership with Dance:UK series developer Broadsword Interactive to produce two PlayStation 2 titles themed around Baja racing - the term used for offroad racing on the Baja peninsula in Southern California. The first, Baja Mania, is a traditional offroad racing title, in which players race against competition in deserts inspired by Palm Springs. The second, Baja Destruction, is described as "Mad Max meets Baja racing," and uses weapons and warfare in arena-centered combat. - Microsoft and Razer USA Ltd. today announced the Microsoft Habu, an upcoming gaming mouse for PCs co-developed by the two firms. The mouse "melds Microsoft’s ergonomic design with Razer’s advanced technology," and "features an advanced 2,000 DPI laser sensor," for high accuracy. The Habu also features seven reprogrammable buttons and on-board profile memory (for storing up to five specific button configurations). The Habu will be available in October 2006 for an estimated retail price of $69.95. - News on Gamasutra's new game education sister site Game Career Guide include a new CMU scholarship sponsored by Microsoft, and a new letter to the editor in response to a recent book review. - Today's update on Gamasutra's serious games-related site Serious Games Source refers to a scholarship specifically pertaining to serious games, again sponsored by Microsoft. - Gamasutra sister alt.gaming weblog GameSetWatch has updated today with an announcement from Manifesto Games, a look at the latest issue of Retrogaming Times, and the latest installment of our ongoing 'The Gentleman Nerd' column. Also updated today: the latest Gamasutra job postings, including openings from Pronto Games, Namco, Toys for Bob and Vigil Games.