Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley Announced by Nastume

[Osuchin]

It makes sense that they wouldn't clarify things.
They wouldn't want too much information to be released at once.
And they can't account for things that were outside of their control.
This reveal for the most part was just that, a reveal.
A teaser to spark anticipation for what they will discuss at E3.

And as previously stated most of the confusion being generated is by third party assumptions.
Apart from those, hardcore fans will learn about it and base their opinions thusly, and the casual players won't care.
Which the announcements was made on Twitter, where most of those viewing are those that a searching for anything that pops up.
Not a large gaming venue, where many of those looking may not even be familiar with the series let alone know the intricate details behind it.

Please just wait for their announcement at E3, when they intend to release info, before you start demanding it.

[RopeMaidenKirie]

Oh, I wasn't implying they were trying to sell that it was the aforementioned "Connect to a New World" persay, but rather I was trying to express discontent with the neglect of clarifying that the series will no longer be translations of the BM series that Natsume labelled as Harvest Moon. That's all.

Ninja'd by Muse. v w v

Exactly how I feel. Can't wait until this is all just overwith so the fandom can stop clawing at each other. This is like Neil vs. Allen fans on steroids not that I'm not guilty of bias. I think we all are.

[Crystal Power]

They still should have clarify that bit, yea they could save other information for E3. But if you ask me since this was a just a reveal give it even more reason to why they should clarify what this game really is.

But whateves, hopefully E3 clears this mess up. It's only a few more days too. :- )

[Osuchin]

They why not ask them for clarification? Rather than making statements that they should clarify something they probably don't know needs clarifying.
As I said it shouldn't be expected for them to explain the presumptions of the fans, when they don't even know what they are.
You can't expect them to be searching for complaints people have about the game immediately after they announce the game.
So go onto Twitter or their forum and ask for them to, if you feel so strongly about it.

[RopeMaidenKirie]

I feel like people kind of have the right to voice their concerns over this. They are legitimate concerns right now and they are waiting apparently to clarify them. Of course people are going to be worried and upset. Just like some people are ecstatic over the news there are going to be dissenting opinions. Just like with SoS.

[Osuchin]

I'm not saying the concerns aren't legitimate.
But I am saying you can't expect an answer from someone who wasn't asked the question.
If people want Natsume to clarify it, then it should be brought to them that it needs clarifying.
And there very well might not clarify it, as they are waiting until E3 to announce more.
But it doesn't hurt to asking, and bring it to their attention that it needs clarifying.

[Getaris]

Well, CeeCee kind of confirmed that they would discuss this game's relation with the Bokumono series (or more correctly, the lack of it) during the e3 in Q&A thread.

[RopeMaidenKirie]

It's been asked multiple times on their Facebook with no answers, so yeah it has been asked. Also been brought up in another thread on their forums with no response. They just aren't answering it until E3 which is their prerogative and all and, but yes people are going to stay concerned until then.

[Crystal Power]

They why not ask them for clarification? Rather than making statements that they should clarify something they probably don't know needs clarifying.
As I said it shouldn't be expected for them to explain the presumptions of the fans, when they don't even know what they are.
You can't expect them to be searching for complaints people have about the game immediately after they announce the game.
So go onto Twitter or their forum and ask for them to, if you feel so strongly about it.

I did make a comment on their facebook, but you see I shouldn't have to do that because now it is to late and people are already being mislead. Hopefully they clear things up at E3.

Besides, I know Natsume, they don't really interact with their fans as much as they can and answer all the question. I even see they skip a few questions asked on their forum. I wrote Nastume once with criticism and they ignored me, I then later wrote them with praise and they replied. So me writing them (As I already did). Might not make much a difference...

I know after reading some of my posts I was coming off as a jerk to Natsume and you're upset about that, I've calmed down a bit now. But I still believe this reveal and how they "so far" is marketing this game is not being handled right.

I feel like people kind of have the right to voice their concerns over this. They are legitimate concerns right now and they are waiting apparently to clarify them. Of course people are going to be worried and upset. Just like some people are ecstatic over the news there are going to be dissenting opinions. Just like with SoS.

Thank you. :- )

[cinnamon_yuki]

Glad that E3 is only a few days away or I would be stalking different video games sites to get more info.

I already asked CeeCee if we could get some info, like you guys said, they will provide more info during E3 but she hinted that she might give us some small info in relation to it for the next couple of days.

[jojorod]

Let's all just be honest here...

While these raises concerns and confusion among fans, we're all excited that we're getting two farming games:
One official localization (Story of Seasons, XSEED), and a new entry (HM: Lost Valley, Natsume).

[RopeMaidenKirie]

Competition will be very good for the genre, I do agree with that :D

[Guest]

So far the Q&A answers are yes/no/maybe and wait for E3. Solid Q&A.

No kidding, you'd think they'd be competent enough to be "battle ready" as they went into this announcement; there was obviously going to be a lot of doubt and hate once they did it, so you might as well have some promotional art and screenshots on hand in an attempt to dispel said doubt. Maybe have that community manager informed to the extent that she could answer any reasonable question.

Instead they stumble right out of the gate by having nothing; no art, no screens, no gameplay trailer, not even a decently written piece that would entice people even somewhat. I know I called for a "wait and see" approach in my previous post, but the PR blunder that is this announcement does not inspire much confidence.

You'd wonder whether they were actually ready to make this announcement today already, or that they did this now because XSeed announced their localised CNW as Story of Seasons before Natsume anticipated them to (next week at E3 presumably). The result of the latter scenario of course being that Xseed would have an extra week or so to inform people that their game is the actual Harvest Moon game we were expecting, which wouldn't be to Natsume's benefit.

Instead they still let themselves be caught with their pants down like this anyway, having literally nothing of note to show or say even a week before they are to have their reveal... it shouldn't have been this difficult to throw together a decent press release and a handful of representative images between the SoS reveal and now.

Long story short: the problem isn't the lack of public clarification, or "misinforming" people as some fans try to paint it. Natsume owns the Harvest Moon brand, and of of course they're going to use it while it's still worth something - deal with it. The issue is the disappointing reveal by a publisher that has nothing to show, but everything to prove right now.

My personal expectation so far, taking all of this into account, is that all this will be a sign of things to come. The Lost Valley likely will be a sub-par product intending to sell just on the Harvest Moon brand combined with the confusion surrounding it now. The casuals will probably be "tricked" into purchasing just it just this once, after which the SoS brand will overtake it permanently.

Prove me wrong, Natsume; step up your game.

[Purple Emperor]

Can I just vent my feelings of confusion and frustration for a little bit? I could be wrong and I'm sorry if I offend anyone...

This all comes off as a bit dodgy to me, like they handed over Connect to a New World to XSEED and wouldn't let them use the name so they could use the name for The Lost Valley. It's dodgy because fans will be expecting Marvelous AQL quality but in reality they're using the name of something that will be completely different and people might look at Story of Seasons and think 'Is this some Harvest Moon knock off?'.

There's just so much confusion as to why there's now going to be 2 'Harvest Moons', one through Marvelous and XSEED and the other Natsume, like whaatt? I'm not complaining, I love farming games with a passion but I sort of feel like I'm being screwed with or someone's taking advantage of all the confusion a little bit here.

Story of Seasons is definitely coming home with me but not sure about The Lost Valley until more information is released, but I still have high hopes...

[Getaris]

They could've keep their mouths shut before the e3, but instead they decide to tease with the reveal of a new game.

And it worked, they probably won a LOT of publicity with this. People will be all over them in the event.

And you say they aren't "battle ready"?