Seiichi Kizu

Pack-In-Video Co., LTD

Director/Executive Producer: Harvest Moon, Harvest Moon GB, Harvest Moon 2 GBC, Harvest Moon 3GBC, Harvest Moon: Back to Nature, Harvest Moon 64

Harvest Moon

Twenty years ago, during the golden age of sports, fighting, and war games, I wanted to make a relaxing game that everyone from kids to adults could enjoy. At the time, my work and personal relationships were causing me stress, so I wanted to go fishing by the sea, till some fields, and raise some chickens in the relaxing calm of nature.

Because of this, even knowing it was an impossible dream, the feeling that I wanted to make a game involving nature instead became stronger and more and more intense.

Everything in nature has a relationship with everything else on earth. At the same time, we have to do our best not to interfere with nature, as humans impact other living things as well. Therefore, coexistence with nature became one of the themes of Pack-In-Video’s production. Legend of the River King and Reel Fishing were some of the games developed with this in mind.

The producer of Harvest Moon, Yasuhiro Wada, presented his plan to the head of an external development company. Unfortunately that company went into debt and was no longer an option. Therefore, we had to decide whether we should abandon the project or not. We decided to try to complete the game, and I continued to work with Wada-san, Yamatate-san, and Miyakoshi-san to make this happen.

I would come to the office around 8:00 a.m., and when I opened the door, I would see Yamatate-san and Miyakoshi-san sleeping on the floor. This would continue for many days!

I felt great admiration seeing the dedication the team had completing the game. Finally, after a few months, the project was completed, thanks to Wada-san, Yamatate-san, and Miyakoshi-san’s blood, sweat, and tears. With this, Harvest Moon was born.

Using Harvest Moon as a starting point, take the time in your real life to admire your garden, and plant seeds however you see fit. Use it to see the wonder and greatness of life.

Humans cannot live alone by themselves. Engage in nature in all its forms, and your life will be more fulfilling.