Story of Seasons

The rebranding occurred because developer Marvelous opted to have its subsidiary, Xseed Games, handle Western localization, while Natsume retained the rights to the "Harvest Moon" trademark. This transition allowed the developers to implement fresh gameplay systems. In the debut title Story of Seasons, players cultivate crops and raise livestock in Oak Tree Town, utilizing a unique trade depot mechanic to sell goods to various international markets.

The sequel, Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns, expanded this economic loop by connecting the player's homestead to three culturally distinct villages, each offering unique crops, festivals, and marriage candidates. The franchise transitioned to high-definition platforms with Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town, a remake that modernized classic Game Boy Advance mechanics while introducing inclusive features like same-sex marriage. This was followed by Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town, which received a physical Premium Edition containing a collector's plush and soundtrack. This entry emphasized wilderness exploration, crafting, and extensive farm customization, solidifying the modern identity of the franchise.