Software:Harvest Moon: Magical Melody

From HandWiki
Short description: 2005 video game
Harvest Moon: Magical Melody
North American cover art for the GameCube
Developer(s)Marvelous Interactive
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Tomomi Yamatate
Designer(s)Yasuhiro Wada
Artist(s)Igusa Matsuyama
SeriesStory of Seasons
Platform(s)GameCube, Wii
Release
Genre(s)Role-playing, social simulation
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (牧場物語 しあわせの詩 for ワールド, Bokujō Monogatari: Shiawase no Uta for Wārudo; "Farm Story: Song/Poem of Happiness for World") is a social simulation video game for the GameCube developed by Marvelous Interactive. It is an updated version of Bokujō Monogatari: Shiawase no Uta (牧場物語 しあわせの詩), which was released on March 3, 2005 in Japan. The updated GameCube version was released in the United States by Natsume Inc. on March 28, 2006.[1]

A European release by Rising Star Games with Nintendo of Europe handling distribution was planned, but this release never saw the light of day.[2] Instead, Rising Star Games commissioned an updated version for the GameCube's successor, the Wii instead, which was released on March 14, 2008, with Nintendo of Europe remaining as distributor.[3] The Wii version was later released on April 3, 2008 in Australia, and in North America the following year on August 25, 2009. The game was not released on the Wii in Japan. The Wii version in all territories added motion-sensitive controls for actions such as fishing, mining and foraging[4] but removed the option to play as a female character.

Besides Yasuhiro Wada, Harvest Moon: Magical Melody is the first entry without the involvement of the main developers from Victor Interactive Software.

Gameplay

The game has two main objectives: to wake the Harvest Goddess and to marry one of the townspeople. The player must gather musical notes by finishing various chores and milestones. These tasks are not revealed to the player aside from hints the player can gather based on the name of the notes in the Notes screen of the pause menu. Some are very obvious, such as the Second House note, but others are less obvious such as the Treasure Hoard note. Collecting at least fifty out of a total of one hundred notes lets the player create the titular magical melody that will revive the village's protectress. This does not end the game, which allows the player to continue collecting even more notes and building relationships with the townspeople. The player can choose to be either a male or female character in the GameCube version.[5] Each gender has a choice of ten potential spouses of the opposite sex, along with the androgynous rival Jamie who is eligible for either player gender. The player can have children, own a house and land, and mine, fish, and farm across four seasons. The game includes several minigames in which up to four players can test their skills. Players unlock some minigames through gameplay, such as unlocking the swimming minigame after attending the Beach Festival and unlocking the horse race minigame after participating in a horse race in the main game.

Story

The Harvest Goddess has turned herself to stone out of melancholy at the townspeople's disregard and a farmer named Jamie (whose gender depends on the protagonist's) is determined to save her. A year later, a new rancher (male is by default named Adam and female is by default named Amanda) comes to Flowerbud Village, where Theodore, the town's mayor, helps set up their farm. The protagonist also meets the Harvest Sprites, who request their help in reawakening the Harvest Goddess by collecting magical music notes. Jamie becomes rivals with the protagonist. As the protagonist works at the farm, they also meet various people, some which are returning characters from Back to Nature, Save the Homeland, and A Wonderful Life, and makes an effort to befriend and help them. In the end, the Harvest Goddess is revived and Jamie leaves in shame. The protagonist then marries one of the bachelors or bachelorettes and has a child (if they choose to marry Jamie, then they will both leave town, ending the game). Once all the notes are found, Jamie is devastated, but the Goddess encourages him/her to be more selfless, ending his/her rivalry with the protagonist.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCWii
Eurogamer8/10[8]8/10[9]
Famitsu31/40[10]
(Cube) 30/40[11]		N/A
GameSpot8/10[12]N/A
GameSpyStarStarStarHalf star[13]N/A
GameZone8.5/10[14]N/A
IGN8.2/10[15]8/10[16]
Nintendo Power9/10[17]N/A
ONMN/A61%[18]
PALGNN/A6.5/10[19]
RPGamer4/5[20]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic83/100[6]69/100[7]

The GameCube version received "favorable" reviews, while the Wii version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6][7] In Japan, Famitsu gave the original Shiawase no Uta a score of 31 out of 40,[10] while Famitsu Cube gave its updated version a score of two eights and two sevens for a total of 30 out of 40.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "A Truly Magical Harvest Moon". http://www.natsume.com/games/HM_mm/. 
  2. ↑ "HARVEST MOON: NINTENDO DS AND NINTENDO GAMECUBE VERSIONS TO LIGHT UP THE SKIES". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/harvest-moon-nintendo-ds-and-nintendo-gamecube-versions-to-light-up-the-skies. 
  3. ↑ "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody launches on Wii". January 31, 2008. https://www.nintendo.nl/Nieuws/2008/Harvest-Moon-Magical-Melody-launches-on-Wii-250436.html. 
  4. ↑ "Harvest Moon Magical Melody". https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Wii/Harvest-Moon-Magical-Melody-281507.html#Controls. 
  5. ↑ Harvest Moon: Magical Melody Instruction Booklet pg. 3
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody for GameCube Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/harvest-moon-magical-melody/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody for Wii Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/harvest-moon-magical-melody/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. 
  8. ↑ Kumar, Matthew (April 21, 2006). "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (GameCube) [Import"]. Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-hmmagicalmelody-gc. 
  9. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (March 25, 2008). "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (Wii)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/harvest-moon-magical-melody-review. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "牧場物語 しあわせの詩" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=3287&redirect=no. Retrieved April 9, 2022. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 IGN staff (November 23, 2005). "Gaming Life in Japan". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/23/gaming-life-in-japan-62. 
  12. ↑ Mueller, Greg (April 5, 2006). "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody Review (GC)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/harvest-moon-magical-melody-review/1900-6147189/. 
  13. ↑ Kosak, Dave (April 10, 2006). "GameSpy: Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (GCN)". IGN Entertainment. http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/harvest-moon-poem-of-happiness-for-world/700984p1.html. 
  14. ↑ Hollinghead, Anise (April 26, 2006). "Harvest Moon: Magic Melody [sic - GC - Review"]. https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/harvest_moon_magic_melody_gc_review/. 
  15. ↑ Bozon, Mark (March 28, 2006). "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (GCN)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/29/harvest-moon-magical-melody. 
  16. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (March 19, 2008). "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody UK Review (Wii)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/19/harvest-moon-magical-melody-uk-review. 
  17. ↑ "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (GC)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 203: 89. May 2006. 
  18. ↑ Mathers, Martin (May 2008). "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (Wii)". Official Nintendo Magazine (Future plc): 72. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=3720. Retrieved April 9, 2022. 
  19. ↑ Milonas, Harry (April 28, 2008). "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody Review - Nintendo Wii Video Game Review". PAL Gaming Network. http://palgn.com.au/nintendo-wii/11004/harvest-moon-magical-melody-review/. 
  20. ↑ Neufeld, Anna Marie (April 12, 2006). "Harvest Moon: Magical Melody - Review". CraveOnline. https://archive.rpgamer.com/games/harvest/hmpoh/reviews/hmpohstrev1.html. 
  • Official Bokujō Monogatari website Script error: The function "in_lang" does not exist.
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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