Harvest Moon fans – put down your watering can and pull up a chair. IGN recently had the chance to sit down with Harvest Moon creator Yasuhiro Wada and ask him a handful of questions about the creation of the series, its evolution throughout the years and his future projects with his new company, Toybox. Here’s what he had to say…
IGN: What were your initial inspirations for creating the Harvest Moon franchise? It’s a pretty unique concept, so how did that whole idea come about?
Wada: I grew up in the countryside [in Kyushu, Japan], and as a child I wanted to go outside – to go downtown! I found as I grew up I wanted to leave the countryside behind and go to Tokyo, go to the big city with all its excitement. But when I did go to the city, it wasn’t as great as I had originally thought. Sort of a “the grass is always greener” situation. When I was in the city, I started reminiscing about what was good about where I came from, what made the countryside so special. That’s where some of the key concepts for Harvest Moon came from.
IGN: What sort of things? The slower lifestyle? Being in touch with nature?
Wada: Yes, both of those exactly!
IGN: What is your favorite thing about the Harvest Moon franchise?
Wada: The fans – and the fact that they seem to be fans for life. Just like the series itself is very unique and niche, so are the fans. They are dedicated. The ones who played the original on the SNES have continued playing the series, they’re very dedicated and loyal.
Back in 1996, pre-Farmville and all that other stuff, to make a farming game was such a stretch. As we tried to bring it over from Japan to the U.S., a lot of people didn’t think it was going to work, especially back in the SNES days with all the platformers and more violent games available. This game was exactly the opposite – it was an orange among apples. But lo and behold, it did find its place, and that’s thanks to the fans.
IGN: During your time developing for the Harvest Moon franchise, how do you feel it grew from platform to platform?
Wada: There are always limitations, but going back to fundamentals, Harvest Moon always had certain key features, regardless of the strength of a particular platform. But as the platforms evolved, from SNES to N64 to PS2 and so on, the game, in turn, would get stronger, still holding true to what made it so popular. It’s the simplicity of raising a crop then reaping the benefits. That message, regardless of platforms, has stayed the same. But obviously it’s gotten easier to communicate that concept as the platforms have gotten stronger.
IGN: You said earlier that Harvest Moon fans are often fans for life – why is that?
Wada: I believe it’s the joy of playing a nonviolent game, a creative game where you build things and take care of animals.
IGN: What is your favorite game in the series?
Wada: Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life for GameCube.
IGN: Why?
Wada: I want to live in that world! [laughs] The camera was different too. The world was created so that you could look at the sky and the water and such, which was never the case in previous Harvest Moon games. It allowed you to sort of put yourself in the characters shoes, like you lived there yourself.
IGN: As a Harvest Moon player, are you personally more of a farmer or a rancher?
Wada: Normally people divide the game into two parts, like you did – the animal lover and the green thumb. But there’s also the communicator, who socializes and makes peace between the villagers. That’s who I am – enjoy a little bit of farming, a little bit of ranching, but mostly being a communicator. And also fishing. [laughs]
IGN: You mentioned Farmville earlier – how do you think its massive success has affected the Harvest Moon franchise?
Wada: I believe it’s helped by increasing the market. In Japan, the latest Harvest Moon game released for the 3DS, and it’s a huge success over there. It’s because in Japan there’s Farmville, but there are also a lot of other farming social games on their version of Facebook, Mixi. I believe the people that have played those games were more willing to go out and give Harvest Moon a shot this time around.
IGN: For our readers who have never played a Harvest Moon game, what do you want them to know about the franchise? Why should they give it a shot even if they don’t usually play simulation games?
Wada: If you haven’t played a Harvest Moon game, then you haven’t experienced this type of game before. You might have played BioShock or any first person shooter or something – and they’re all different but the same. But Harvest Moon is a completely a new experience from an action game or first person shooter or a racer. The feeling you get when you play those particular games is completely different from when you play Harvest Moon.
IGN: Last question! You recently started your own company, Toybox. So what’s on the agenda? What are you working on?
Wada: We just got up and running, but our motto is making games that make people happy for peace and for love. We’ll have more news on our first project at E3. One thing I can say is that it will not be a farming game. [laughs]
Audrey Drake is an Associate Editor of IGN.com and a proud member of the IGN Nintendo team. She is also a lifelong gamer, a frequent banisher of evil and a wielder of various legendary blades. You can follow her zany exploits on her IGN blog and Twitter. Game on!
Article source: http://feeds.ign.com/~r/ignfeeds/all/~3/mLwNT2AOfFI/1222321p1.html
Oh, and it will have over 50 PlayStation Network Trophies, including a coveted Platinum Trophy.
Spy Guy says: So it’s sorta like Minecraft in space with guns and explosions? Yeah, I can get behind that. What’s the most important thing that you want to see in a space combat game?
Spy Guy says: This reminds me of the time I infiltrated the Russian space program disguised as Lance Bass. My cover was blown when I couldn’t remember the words to Bye Bye Bye, and I had to fight my way past Vladimir Putin to escape his secret moon base.