Rising Star Games, TOYBOX and Natsume Inc. are happy to announce a new, inspired IP

Tuesday 12 March, 2013 – Following the teaser announcement of ‘Project Happiness’ at E3 last year, Rising Star Games, European publisher of family-oriented video games, today revealed the official name, Hometown Story. This kicks off with a promise made to bring a new type of game to a global audience, which Rising Star Games will be bringing to Europe to a dedicated fan base. Natsume will publish the title in North America. Check out the new trailer now.

Developed by Yasuhiro Wada, the "Father of Harvest Moon," and his studio, TOYBOX in Tokyo, Japan, Hometown Story is a joyful tale which takes players to a fantastic new world full of colour and fun. With characters designed by Atsuko Nishida, the artist behind Pokemon and music composed by Nobu Uematsu of Final Fantasy fame, the collective talent bringing this game alive on 3DS and other mobile platforms guarantees that it will delight gamers.

“We are very excited to be able to announce the game’s official name and to launch a brand new global IP alongside our friends at TOYBOX and Natsume,” said Martin Defries, Managing Director & COO of Rising Star Games. “Hometown Story will thrill and inspire our customers and it is wonderful to start a new journey with them and gain a generation of new customers through the launch of Hometown Story.”

"Hometown Story is the perfect name for a game with such a heartwarming feeling, and we’re excited to begin revealing more about the game, alongside TOYBOX and Rising Star Games," said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume.

It's an experience that will fill you with motivation and magical memories! “Hometown Story is a game and a story that’s dear to my heart – and I hope will become dear to the player’s heart as well,” said Yasuhiro Wada, CEO of TOYBOX. “Our partnership with Rising Star Games and Natsume, who share our values on a quality gaming experience, is going to remain strong as we reveal more about Hometown Story throughout the year.”

With an exciting mix of adventure, discovery, and wonder, Hometown Story will fill the hearts of gamers both young and old with an experience paralleled by only a few other games, such as the critically acclaimed Harvest Moon series.
More information about this exciting new title from Yasuhiro Wada will be revealed up to and during E3 2013.

Players can check out a full-length trailer at http://bit.ly/13PsiRk, as well as additional teaser information via Rising Star Games at www.youtube.com/risingstargames andwww.facebook.com/risingstargames

For further information, screenshots and press samples (when available), please contact:

Tyrone Walcott (Rising Star Games) for press enquiries

Tyrone.Walcott@risingstargames.com

LOS ANGELES - Nov. 7, 2012 - Today, Rising Star Games has released a new trailer for the arcade shooter Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition. The trailer features new gameplay footage of the remastered classic, and unveils the exclusive 'VKL6.02(A)P Chopper.' The exclusive helicopter features a unique design and a stockpile of powerful weapons.

Under Defeat HD is developed by Japanese arcade game powerhouse G.rev and will be released in North America for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®Network on November 27 for $29.99. The retail version of Under Defeat HD will be available exclusively at Amazon.com.

In Under Defeat HD, players will take on the role of a helicopter pilot as they are caught in a struggle between the Empire and the Union. Along with additional upgrades and features, Under Defeat HD will include destructive realism, dual stick compatibility and the new 16:9 New Order Mode. In addition to the full game disc, Rising Star Games' Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition includes:

• Digital art book
• All current DLC and patches
• Soundtrack CD featuring tracks from the New Order Mode

The new trailer and additional assets can be found here.

For more information on Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition, visit the game page.

About Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition
Under Defeat HD builds off of the classic arcade version with a new set of upgrades and modes. Some of the new features include: destructive realism, presenting a further refined iteration of the original with improved artwork, textures and shadowing; and dual stick compatibility. Under Defeat HD also includes two engaging player modes, including Classic Arcade Mode and a 16:9 New Order Mode, which takes full advantage of HD TV screens. Moreover, practice versions of both modes will also be available for players looking to refine their skills on individual levels.

Somebody once said that if you put a million monkeys in a room, each with a typewriter for an infinite amount of time, eventually by chance, they will produce an exact copy of the complete works of Shakespeare. Armed only with my dog and an old netbook from Tesco, I went about the creation of my next blog. I knew to begin with the odds were stacked against me, but it's been over a month now and still nothing of value has been taken from the creativity kennel. I guess I'm just going to have to write it myself.

It has been a busy time for everyone in the industry leading up to the annual climax of International Games Giving Day (or Christmas as some like to call it) and with so much going on you'd think we would all be locked up in the Rising Star Games towers bound to our computers being fed motivational speeches and a vision of days when we can go home and see our families again. You'll be delighted to know that isn't the case and if anything we've been enticed out the office regularly by the likes of the GMA Awards, MCM Expo and various rendezvous with the wonderful specie that populates the video games scene.

Being an MCM virgin, nothing could have prepared me for the shear intensity of the weekend. I had been mentally prepped by the RSG team that it was going to be a tremendously busy event, hard work and blah blah blah about this and that. I didn't care about all that stuff; I was there to meet people, share our games and spread the good word of Rising Star Games to MCM goers like a Japanese Jesus. How hard can it be, right?

Come Sunday evening I was conked-out, sleeping in Yen's (the marketing manager) car on the way home and it was only 7 o'clock. I am the type of person that feeds off surrounding energy and it was relentlessly abundant that weekend. I don't know where my body was finding the energy but the buzzing atmosphere and vibrant crowds commanded a constant surge of liveliness. I was having the time of my life meeting tons of fans, guiding people through our games and talking about everything we hold dear in our nerdalicious existence. I knew all too well that as soon as the event closed each day and the stimulation was cut off, I would feel the harsh realisation of the vacuum in my energy stores. And that I did.

Despite the crushing exhaustion that followed, MCM was an amazing experience and I wouldn't change it for the world. MCM is an absolute wonderland for anyone with a nerdy bone in their body. It's just too much to even try to sum up. Games, comics, film, cosplayers, souvenirs and wares, fun, atmosphere, great people. Fat thumbs up all round. Can't wait for next year.

As always, if you'd like to follow a Japanese Jesus, find me on twitter at @RSG_Spoonparty.

So long.
-Samuel

ps. Comments should be working now, but I'll need to log in and approve before they're view-able :)