UPDATE: We have received a press release from XSEED, along with images from the localized version of the game. We have added those into the article.
XSEED Games will be localizing the most recent Harvest Moon game. The game is titled Bokujou Monogatari: Tsunagaru Shin Tenchi in Japan, which we in the West have taken to calling Harvest Moon: Linking the New World. It was released in Japan on February 27th of this year for the Nintendo 3DS. The game will be released in North America sometime later this year. However, when it releases here in the West, the main title of the game will be Harvest Moon-less as XSEED will be changing the name to Story of Seasons.
The reason for the name change is that former publisher Natsume holds the rights to the name Harvest Moon. Since XSEED Games (officially known as Marvelous USA, the North American subsidiary of Marvelous AQL) will be taking over the localization duties usually handled by Natsume, they could not continue to use the Harvest Moon title; hence, the switch to Story of Seasons. Interestingly, this change brings the series title closer to the English translation of Bokujou Monogatari, which is Farm Story.
Story of Seasons will allow the player to fully customize their character and take up residence in the small settlement of Oak Tree Town. As is typical of previous Harvest Moon games, the player will carry out their daily work as a farmer and work to expand their farm as well as develop relationships with the villagers. If you’re looking for more information on the game, be sure to check out some screenshots and the official Japanese box art. You can also read up on some of the characters that will appear in Story of Seasons.
Check out the press release below, along with the first English images from Story of Seasons.
XSEED Games Tells a STORY OF SEASONS on Nintendo 3DS
A new beginning for the Bokujo Monogatari franchise from the series’ seasoned development team brings farm and life simulation to Nintendo 3DS
Torrance, Calif., (May 28, 2014) – XSEED Games, the independent-minded console publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today confirmed STORY OF SEASONS will be released exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS in North America this winter. Developed by the veteran team behind the fan-favorite Bokujo Monogatari series and headed by longtime lead producer, Yoshifumi Hashimoto, STORY OF SEASONS represents a new beginning for the beloved series which has seen dozens of entries and sold close to ten million copies worldwide.
“Story of Seasons represents a new chapter in our amazing tale,” said Yoshifumi Hashimoto, Head of Development at MarvelousAQL. “We are creating a new experience that will carry on the spirit of Bokujo Monogatari, and in doing so, will fulfill our loyal fans’ expectations and desires while ushering in a new generation of games to come.”
Released under the title Bokujo Monogatari: Tsunagaru Shintenchi in Japan earlier this year, which literally translates as Farm Story: Connect to a New World, STORY OF SEASONS carries on the iconic life simulation and farming RPG gameplay made famous through the Bokujo Monogatari series’ 18-year history while infusing new and exciting features into the experience, marking a key milestone for the franchise. Fans will appreciate the evolution seen in STORY OF SEASONS as the game retains its signature style while adapting and strengthening its offerings through the formation of this new IP.
Players will create a fully customizable character, selecting gender, hair style and facial features as desired. They will then take on their role as the newest resident of Oak Tree Town, a small settlement filled with promises of new beginnings, hard work and significant relationships. In the process of tending to crops, animals and the many other aspects of everyday farming life, players will amass the resources necessary to customize and expand their farms – from livestock and seeds to décor and layout – granting total freedom to shape their homestead as they wish and fit virtually any play style.
In STORY OF SEASONS, traditional farm-building mechanics are combined with all-new multiplayer and StreetPass connectivity, granting players the ability to tour one another’s farms, cultivate crops together and even exchange gifts. Further adding to the roster of new elements, STORY OF SEASONS has decorative items available from the Super Mario Bros. franchise, including Super Mushroom, Fire Flower and Super Star.
Developed in Japan by MarvelousAQL, STORY OF SEASONS will be published in North America by XSEED Games, and will be released in winter exclusively for Nintendo 3DS. STORY OF SEASONS will make its US debut at the E3 2014 expo in XSEED Games’ West Hall booth #5436.
For more information on XSEED Games products, please visit www.xseedgames.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook at www.facebook.com/XSEEDGames and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/XSEEDGames.
About Marvelous USA:
Marvelous USA, Inc. is the US-based publishing operation of MarvelousAQL Inc. XSEED Games, its brand for unique and innovative console, PC and handheld games, has been in operation since 2004, publishing over 50 compelling titles from Japan. Marvelous USA is a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based MarvelousAQL Inc., a publicly-traded company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. More information on Marvelous USA can be found at www.marvelous-usa.com, and more information on XSEED Games can be found at http://www.xseedgames.com.
