Dawn of New Era Begins for Producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto’s Beloved Farming Series 18 Years in the Making, Bokujo Monogatari
Torrance, Calif., (March 31, 2015) – XSEED Games, the independent-minded console publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today announced the exciting, long-awaited launch of STORY OF SEASONS for Nintendo 3DS™ family. This series, known as Bokujo Monogatari in Japan, has featured dozens of entries and sold nearly ten million units worldwide. STORY OF SEASONS catapults the cherished franchise into a new era, mixing series staples beloved by fans since its inception with new features such as online connectivity with other players and trade with visiting merchants from foreign lands.
“The launch of STORY OF SEASONS marks a very special occasion that has me filled with immense joy,” said Yoshifumi Hashimoto, producer of the Bokujo Monogatari series at Marvelous Inc. of Japan. “My greatest wish for this game is to have our fans revel in all the wonderful qualities that the Bokujo Monogatari series is known for while enjoying all the new features we’re bringing into it, creating a familiar yet evolved experience.”
STORY OF SEASONS carries on the iconic life simulation and farming RPG gameplay made famous through the Bokujo Monogatari series’ prolific 18-year history. Developed by a veteran Bokujo team and headed by acclaimed producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto, the game retains the series’ signature style while adapting and strengthening its offerings through the formation of this new IP. Newcomers can now experience the satisfaction of a successful harvest more quickly with the new Seedling mode, characters and farms can be fully customized, and longtime fans can enjoy an enhanced variety of seeds, pets, and other ways to make their farms truly their own.
A farmer’s life is hard work, but nothing is more satisfying than the successful harvesting of each crop and the growth of each animal under his or her care. The road to true happiness isn’t paved with gumption alone, however! Oak Tree Town is full of life that extends well beyond the farm, giving players ample opportunity to establish significant relationships with others and even engage in romance. A variety of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes live in the town for players to woo, with the hopes of getting married and raising a family together.
The theme of “Connectivity” expands the world and presents possibilities to players both in and out of the game. In STORY OF SEASONS, the new StreetPass™ connectivity feature grants players the ability to tour one another’s farms, cultivate crops together, and even exchange gifts. The new Safari mode allows players to visit new lands and interact with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Players can also trade with other countries in-game to help grow their crop variety and pad out their coffers, while also aiding the local economy and contributing positively to the prosperity of the entire town.
Familiar friends of a different sort are also present within Oak Tree Town, as STORY OF SEASONS has numerous decorative items available from the Super Mario Bros. franchise, including the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Super Star.
Developed in Japan by Marvelous Inc., STORY OF SEASONS is published in North America by XSEED Games, exclusively for Nintendo 3DS. The game is available in physical format at participating retailers and digitally in the Nintendo eShop for $39.99. This game has been rated “E10+” for Everyone ages 10 and up by the ESRB with the descriptors Alcohol Reference, Mild Suggestive Themes and Violent References.
More information on the game can be found at www.storyofseasons.com. For more information on XSEED Games products, please visit www.marvelous-usa.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook at www.facebook.com/XSEEDGames and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/XSEEDGames.