LOS ANGELES – Legendary singer Jimmy Buffett took a break from his summer concert tour to visit Margaritaville Online at THQ’s E3 2011 booth. The new game was co-designed by the man who coined the phrase that has captivated millions of parrotheads around the globe. Buffett talks about the new Facebook game, which will also connect to Apple devices in unique ways, in this exclusive 3D video interview.

“Margaritaville Online is an everyday escape to a tropical paradise inspired by Jimmy Buffet set in a 3D virtual world,” said Tony Royce, who heads up THQ’s online group. “Players can design their own island resort in this game and socialize with friends by throwing a party and listening to Buffett’s music.”

Royce said this game is different from traditional Facebook games because of the level of depth and immersion in the virtual world. Players can build a bar, hang out with friends, walk the beaches, explore the tropical jungle, or get on boat and explore the sea. The game also has collect, recruit and share gameplay like traditional Facebook games.

“The core experience is about creating meaningful Margaritaville moments and living the lifestyle virtually,” said Royce. “It’s about breaking away and escaping the everyday grind. We’re providing a virtual escape for players. We’re pushing the casual online gaming category forward with this level of immersion on multiple devices. It’s time to sell the farm, leave the city, and move to Margrataville and have fun.”

Margaritaville Online uses a 3D game engine that allows players to live out their island dream. Everything in Buffett’s culture is in the game. There are also mini-games like drunken party pirates, and limbo to make Facebook gaming fun.

Players will be able to escape anywhere any time and change their latitude and attitude this fall. Margaritaville Online is THQ’s second online venture, following its successful UFC game.

About the Author

John Gaudiosi

Editor-in-Chief

John Gaudiosi has been covering videogames for the past 20 years for outlets like The Washington Post, CNET, Wired Magazine and CBS.com. He has focused on the convergence of entertainment and videogames for outlets like Video Business, Home Media Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Gamerlive.TV and is also a freelance game columnist for Reuters and writes for outlets like Forbes.com, NVISION, Official PlayStation Magazine, EGM Now, Geek Monthly, PrimaGames.com, and Yahoo! Games. John also serves as the video game expert for NBC in Washington D.C. and has produced videogame documentaries for The History Channel and Starz Entertainment. John was named one of the Top 50 Game Journalists in the world by Next-Gen.biz in 2007. He is the co-author of Scholastic Books' How to Get into Videogames, Prima Publishing's Madden: Twenty Years of Videogame Football and Electronic Arts: The Official History.