PSN gardening game to exercise green thumbs

by Jason Dobson { May 31st 2008 at 1:30PM }

There's nothing we enjoy quite as much after a long evening of gaming than tending to our resident houseplants, one of which teeters on the edge of death while the other, greener replacement waits for when the original inevitably shuffles off its leafy coil. Now, however, it seems that players in Japan may soon be able to take on this diversion with controller in hand as well, as Famitsu has revealed a new PSN title from SCEJ and movie house Premium Agency called Shikitei (literally translated as "Four Seasons Garden"), that premises to let us plant a garden and watch it grow.

Watch being the operative word here, as it seems that even virtually Sony doesn't trust our green thumbs, the report revealing that the game, or "environmental simulator" according to IGN, will focus more on letting players design gardens before letting the program have its way with them. In fact, according to producer Rie Nakamura, the title will include no gaming elements at all. Fun! Still, for all of its hands-offness, Shikitei will include elements such as custom soundtracks, as well as the ability to take a stroll through the virtual eden, no doubt offering solace in the fact that this is one garden that won't meet an untimely end at our hands. At least until we turn off the power.

Tags: garden, plants, playstation-network, playstationnetwork, psn, scej, shikitei, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

rom @ May 31st 2008 1:41PM

It's a strange concept for a game, but I'm interested in seeing it in action. It might be a neat little time waster.

Maybe they can somehow let your garden be a part of your "Home". That would be interesting.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ May 31st 2008 1:56PM

My god, Home integration is definately a NEED on this app.

Noshino @ May 31st 2008 2:50PM

actually, now that you mention it, it could be true, take in mind that Aquatopia could also be used in Home...

Damn, if more of these kind of games come out and DO have the Home interactivity, then I would have to fork some bucks

voodoo_craig @ May 31st 2008 1:45PM

Like a sh!t Viva Pinata then.....

Vladdyboy @ May 31st 2008 3:26PM

Yeah lol. They should at least have birds, or bugs, or whatever. Depending on how you treat your garden certain animals will come or go. Seems like a very boring game though. Doubt even casual soccer moms would enjoy this.

Noshino @ May 31st 2008 3:38PM

its not like casual soccer moms are into gardening, but they sure are into the gardeners...

browntown @ May 31st 2008 1:47PM

Cool concept, i read somewhere its 15 bucks, too steep, 5 would have been better, u can also take pictures of ur garden which is cool.

Gideon @ May 31st 2008 2:30PM

It's "EXERCISE". Come on, Joystiq.

el serpiente @ May 31st 2008 3:05PM

I heard there was this guy who lost 30 pounds in one week playing this gardening game.

Chase @ May 31st 2008 8:19PM

-10 Jason Dobson

Cricket @ May 31st 2008 2:34PM

Hmm ... add Bushido Blade 3 into this so I can have an awesome sword fight in this garden, then we'll talk.

Noshino @ May 31st 2008 2:46PM

Being able to modify your garden with katanas would be awesome...

Jake @ May 31st 2008 2:42PM

It's for the Japanese market, they have totally different ideas on gaming. I think it will do pretty well there.

I doubt this will see a release outside Japan, as it's not your usual EU/US kinda thing.

It does demomnstrate how diverse PS3 development is however.