Natsume, a worldwide developer and

publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today that the

company is celebrating the ten-year anniversary of its popular Harvest

Moon franchise this summer. In commemoration of the anniversary,

Natsume is launching two new Harvest Moon titles later this quarter

and offering a host of retail promotions surrounding the launches.

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness for the Nintendo DS and Harvest Moon:

Tree of Tranquility for the Nintendo Wii will both be available at

retail later this summer, and will be branded with special packaging

marking the 10th anniversary. In addition, a line of collectible plush

toys featuring the cute and friendly animal characters from the games

will also be available as a pre-order bonus/gift with purchase at

select retailers. Other special promotions surrounding the anniversary

include an exclusive 10th anniversary Harvest Moon DS Lite Kit (with

protective cover, stylus, screen wipe and more) and two new strategy

guides from BradyGames.

The Harvest Moon series began ten years ago when it launched on the

Super Nintendo. Since then, the RPG/Simulation series has garnered a

large and loyal fan base, and has appeared on most every home and

handheld console available, including GameBoy, GameBoy Color, GameBoy

Advance, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation,

PlayStation2, PSP and soon the Nintendo Wii.

The series has sold millions of units in North America, with 20

incarnations over the course of 10 years. The games are usually set in

rural towns packed with interesting and friendly characters where the

player is tasked with running a successful farm, creating a family by

getting married, having children, and befriending the people in the

town to help build up their land. The games are great for players of

all ages because they provide wholesome, non-violent entertainment

anyone in the family can enjoy.

“The concept of Harvest Moon games is simple: hard-working people

should get rewarded for what they have done. We want players to take

this concept they get in the game, and apply it to their real life,

too,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume. “We couldn’t be

happier that the series has caught on with so many fans. It’s their

tremendous enthusiasm and support that has kept the series growing and

evolving over these past ten years.”

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness (DS)

In the largest portable Harvest Moon experience ever, Harvest Moon:

Island of Happiness for the Nintendo DS tasks players with building

their own paradise as they find themselves shipwrecked on a deserted

island.

Starting off with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the

determination to start a new life, it’s up to the player to attract

settlers by making their farm robust and the island prosper, By

harvesting crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems,

gamers will help the island grow into a vibrant town filled with

people, businesses, and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Players

can take on the role of a boy or a girl while falling in love and

starting a family. For a competitive feel, gamers can also play

against other ranchers via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility (Wii)

In Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility for the Nintendo Wii, you find

yourself in a troubled island town which once prospered with life and

energy, but is now in serious trouble. The mystical Mother Tree that

once watched over the island has disappeared, and the Harvest Goddess

is nowhere to be found! The island has lost its connection with nature

and the inhabitants don’t know what to do - it’s up to you to save the

island! You must help to rebuild the island by tending to the earth,

befriending and raising animals, nurturing friendships, and creating a

family. When the giant Mother Tree is reborn, the Harvest Goddess will

return and bring prosperity to the island once again. Long-time

Harvest Moon fans as well as new players will find an exciting,

involving storyline and plenty of activities including cultivating

crops, caring for animals, and participating in festivals. All-new

controls for the Nintendo Wii Remote give players the chance to feel

like they’re really farming!

Both Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness and Harvest Moon: Tree of

Tranquility will be on display at this month’s E3 trade show in the

Los Angeles area and will be available at retail later this summer.

For more information on either of the new Harvest Moon titles, please

visit www.natsume.com.

About Natsume

Natsume Inc. is a worldwide developer and publisher that specialize in

unique and family-oriented interactive entertainment software for a

variety of platforms. Most known for publishing Reel Fishing and

Harvest Moon, Natsume is dedicated to producing quality video games.

For more information about Natsume Inc., visit www.natsume.com

©2008-07-07, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. via Yahoo Videogames