Topic: Could someone clarify the future of Harvest Moon for me?

I know that there was some change with the owners/publishers of the Harvest Moon/Rune Factory franchise but I couldn't find out anything about it through a quick look at Wikipedia.

Also, are there going to be any new HM or RF games on the Wii U? I remember reading something a while ago that the previous makers of HM might release one on the Wii U but not under the Harvest Moon name?

Thanks, guys!

Thanks for the info. Just a shame about nothing on the horizon for the Wii U. Guess I might have to pick up Rune Factory Frontier then.

Well that's not confusing at all

The confusing part comes from calling Marvelous' Farming series "the true harvest moons".

Which is no longer correct, since their games only became "Harvest Moons" after Natsume got the rights to translate and sell them.

Marvelous will continue to sell their series under a new name (Story of Seasons), while Natsume will start making Harvest Moons by themselves.

Both series are clearly taking different directions. The variety will be very good for the genre. I guess.

If you want the REAL Harvest Moon (made by the ACTUAL developer), go with Story of Seasons from now on.

If you want Natsume's "Harvest Moon" slop, go with the Harvest Moon series.

I am actually surprised that a lawsuit isn't involved over this. Since people are more familiar with the Harvest Moon name I would expect that one will outsell Story of Seasons on that principle alone. They are kind of pulling a fast one on consumers with this.

Actually, the original developer of the series is not marvelous.

Victor Interactive 4 Life.

In a way, Natsume worked with the series way before Marvelous came into the picture.

@Tops: Yeah, but if Story of Seasons doesnt sell well I think that they could use the argument that Natsume is misleading consumers by using the Harvest Moon name and that its misleading people. I have seen it before on other things but still it might hold up cause of what was in the initial contract which no one here knows.

Yeah that's pretty confusing, although from promos and stuff the two branches of Harvest Moon do look pretty great by their own merits. I wouldn't mind trying both, or at the very least Natsume's game isn't making me say "oh it's not by the original developer, also it looks like garbage".

Also, correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the RF series is on hiatus? I know their developer went down but the rights are floating around somewhere, correct?

It doesn't matter. Natsume has the rights to the name, so there can never be a lawsuit

As far as I could understand, Natsume more or less "bought" the games and their rights in other regions.

In a way, Harvest Moon is a game series separate from Marvelous's Bokujou Monogatari series... That just happened to be made up mostly by the exact same games, translated.

According to Natsume, they even helped in developing and financing the very first game, because it was not green lighted by Victor Interactive originally.

I am torn about HM: The Lost Valley. I don't care for the bobblehead look of the characters at all. Story of Seasons is a day 1 purchase.

I will most likely end up with both games, but will at least check some early reviews of TLV before buying.

For in depth explanation of it all go to fogo.com.

The Natsume community manager once used the "separate series" explanation in their forums and used Theathrythm Final Fantasy as an example, saying how it was owned by Square Enix but it wasn't developed by them.

So that's the version I accept, even if just months ago it would be bizarre to think of Harvest Moon as anything other than just translations.

Also yeah sorry, I tend to edit my messages a lot

@K8smum: I'm kinda the opposite, several of Marvelous's previous offerings have been disappointing, and SoS looks like more of the same to me. I can't wait to try TLV and see if it refreshes the series for me.

If it fails... Well, there's always the virtual console. HM2 on the 3DS is great so far, and FoMT will be released soon too.

@morpheel: Is FoMT coming to the 3ds? I've got so much love for that game! Our Cait got me hooked on it...good times.

I was disappointed in HM:ANB and am hoping SoS will take it's place for me, be more what I want.

I wish!

It's coming to the wiiu.

Well...pooh!

@tops

Why do Gba games get put into the Wii u and not the 3ds?

Natsume hasn't announced it directly, but they teased it in their social media.

@k8sMum Technical limitations. Thats why the ambassador GBA games were never released commercialy.
They are not fully implemented (no VC menu) and it was found out, that getting these games to work on the 3DS is more work than its worth.
Sure, they could make a buck or two with it, but it would also require manpower that is better suited to work on new games.

Maybe that will change with the N3DS, as its a tad more powerfull and may be able to handle these games more easily. Well see.

I totally recommend the second one