A new publisher, Rising Star Games Limited, is starting up in Hertforshire and its promising launch portfolio contains several new iterations of the fabulous farming sim Harvest Moon. As the company's press release states:
European gamers will be treated to four new iterations of Harvest Moon. Harvest Moon: Oh Wonderful Life will appear on Game Cube and PS2 in September and October 2005 respectively, marking the series' first-ever appearance on a Sony Console. Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town arrives on Game Boy Advance in June 2004, with an all-new Harvest Moon game (working title: Harvest Moon DS) arriving on Nintendo's dual-screen handheld in November 2005. Each of these versions will offer a slightly different twist on the staggeringly popular Harvest Moon theme, and promises to introduce the series' wonderful concept to a whole new audience.
So how did a company in Hertfordshire snag such hot gaming booty? Well, Rising Star is a joint venture with Japanese publisher Marvelous Interactive Inc. and Japanese Nintendo distributor Bergsala AB.
"The firm's goal is to reduce the period between Japanese and Western release, reversing the threat of grey imports. Thanks to Rising Star's close working relationship with its development partners, there will even be occasions where the European release is ahead of the Japanese street date," they promise intriguingly.
Also among the company's offerings are updated versions of Bubble Bobble and Space Invaders for the Nintendo DS (each with new gameplay modes), and a hack and slash adventure for the PS2 entitled Sword of Destiny. This is not to be confused with Spear of Destiny. Although a hack and slash title involving a mid-eighties rawk band seems like a great idea. Sadly it may never happen.
Anyway, any new publisher entering this industry and promising to bring us fresh Japanese goodies as quickly as possible should be welcomed with open cheque books - although, speaking as a gamer, there will always be room for grey imports in an industry obsessed with regional control.
Harvest Moon is lovely, isn't it?
