Help me understand

[Fleshbits]

lot of people seem to be playing this game. Going by the title, I am imagining you ride on tractors and watch grass grow. Surely, that can't be fun. I am a fan of simulation games. Help me understand what makes this neat.

Does the game have goals or missions?
Can I lose somehow?
Will it fire neurons or is it mindless?

[jasonharris2]

Originally posted by Fleshbits:

lot of people seem to be playing this game. Going by the title, I am imagining you ride on tractors and watch grass grow. Surely, that can't be fun. I am a fan of simulation games. Help me understand what makes this neat.

Does the game have goals or missions?
Can I lose somehow?
Will it fire neurons or is it mindless?

no missions
you can't lose
its a fun game to relax and kill a few hours a day

[blackdrako3000]

Depending on what you are looking for in the answer, it can be a matter of perspective.

To your first question, there are missions you can do. Though, think of these as side quests because they serve no purpose other than to make money. There is no plot line to follow.

To your second question, you can lose. Though, the only way to lose is to go bankrupt which is not easy to do, unless you are playing on hard difficulty.

For the third question, that depends on how you play. Some people enjoy mindless monotonous work. These people play the game as a simulation from the point-of-view of a real farmer. Others, such as myself, play it as a management game. This style would require you to put machines in place for helpers/workers to do the work with in the specified field. Then you would just have to do the open world driving. This question is just a matter of perspective.

To make things different, whether by adding machines, maps, gameplay features, etc., there are numerous mods to add to the game. For example, Farming Simulator 19 Mods[www.farmingsimulator19mods.com] has over 540 different tractors, tractor packs, and different tractor versions to add to your game.

EDIT: I almost forgot, there is also a multiplayer function if that is more your style.

[JPSGT40]

The game has no defined "end game" or "goal". Much like flight simulators, the fun is in using all the equipment and learning how best to use it all.

There is no winning or losing. Though I suppose it would be theoretically possible to lose if you somehow managed to go bankrupt.

Much to everyone's surprise, it can actually get hectic at times -- many things needing your attention and you must make haste if you want to maximize crop yield or avoid loss/losses. You'd be surprised how often this can occur if you don't plan your crop cycles wisely, plus keep tending to your animals, etc.

I have never actually found myself bored. In fact, I frequently find myself yearning for some "down time" so I can just cruise around and enjoy all that I have created or earned.

[Mod Sloth]

It's very relaxing, if you're into it. It kinda does boil down to riding tractors and watching grass grow, but there's more to it than that - there's sowing, fertilizing, harvesting, plowing, etc... not to mention animal husbandry. There's plenty to do while that grass is growing.

There are missions, which are essentially contracts to work for other farmers. It generates a little income. But really there are no goals other than the ones you set for yourself (e.g. building up your farm, or raising more cows, etc.).

It's pretty hard to lose. You basically have to take out a $500,000 loan and use it specifically to run your farm into the ground.

Neurons? I dunno... there's a little strategy to it, but it's pretty straight-forward. Still, it soothes something in the brain.

[Buckshot]

I try to play at the most realistic settings. There is always something to do. If I am not plowing a field or seeding or fertilizing, I am tending to my animals. Just as another one posted in this thread, sometimes I find myself looking for a little 'down time'.

[JPSGT40]

There are ways to play with an "end game" in mind.

Some people like to approach each map as a game of Monopoly: goal 1 is to buy all of the plots of land that have workable fields on them, goal 2 would be to finish buying all properties on the map. When achieved, you win, and start on another map.

Some people want to achieve "self sufficiency." One meaning of this can be they achieve a balance or working their land and crops to provide all the needs of their animals, and also enough to sell for income, and also enough left over to sustain their imaginary family. Some people even take it a step further and want to do enough forestry / tree harvesting to account for any structures they build (barns, sheds, house, fences, etc.) This can really add longevity and variety to your gameplay, but is not for the casual or weak player.

But, of course, YOU will be the only one whoever knows you "won."

Then there is always multiplayer...

You can play competitively or cooperatively. Playing with others can teach you a lot and sometimes you might find yourself being the one with bright idea that helps everyone.

[hutchy481]

There is also the aspect of strategy. Where to place a farmhouse, where to place out building, where to put livestock pens, which crops to sow, what fields to buy or sell, etc.

Also finances, is it best to lease , buy or borrow money for your equipment.

[Mod Sloth]

...and let us not forget about the impending eSports league (I wish that was a joke)!

[Oneblock]

I played a single round of Fortnite and came third. I literally hid in a loft the entire game. To make progress in Farming Sim you at least have to be a little active.

Sure, a lot of activities can be automated think of it as autopilot in Flight Sim. Certain aspects of the game may "grab" you. For example I really dislike ploughing and get the AI to do it almost all the time. I do enjoy harvesting staking bales. Making spreadsheets for my animal food consumption and planing crops to keep them fed.

I have introduced 3 people to this game. Al of them thought it "odd" all have enjoyed it.

[Arcticspyder]

Originally posted by Fleshbits:

lot of people seem to be playing this game. Going by the title, I am imagining you ride on tractors and watch grass grow. Surely, that can't be fun. I am a fan of simulation games. Help me understand what makes this neat.

Does the game have goals or missions?
Can I lose somehow?
Will it fire neurons or is it mindless?

1. Yes there are missions, however the missions (plow a field, harvest a field, etc...) are more of a way to earn money and to try out different equipment! I learned by doing missions I hate beets and potatoes.

2. No real way to lose.

3. No.

For me the game is a way to relax and deal with anxiety! The game can really shine depending on the way that you play. I'm playing the game as an RPG in single player

Example: First thing I did was edit the game so that I had no money in my bank, then I played the game like I was a farmhand, I did missions until I could afford my first tractor and land. I now own two fields, a tractor, a harvester, header, plow, cultivator/planter, sprayer, and a log trailer with a crane attached.

Our MP game is played like this:

Each player is given/loaned $200,000.00 (8 Players) then the cheapest 8 properties on the Brunsfield were drawn randomly and assigned to the players. The players then bought their properties and started working the land. The challenge is to work your property until you can buy your own equipment and more land. My plot cost me $180,008.00 that left me less than $19,000.00. Out of that was my cost to harvest the field and transport the harvest to be sold, and then get the field ready for the next crop. Players are eliminated as they go bankrupt, 3 people did within the first two days!

Seriously the game is addictive! You can play in many ways, IE a logger, a farmer, a cattle baron, a horse rancher etc....

[Fendain]

I am definitely in the category of playing it as a management game.

But this game is much like any of the large scale MMORPGs out there. Where you battle baddies to get equipment improvements to go battle more baddies. In here you buy equipment to farm the fields so you can buy more fields that need more and better equipment. And there is also forestry and animals that can be added for more to do in the game.

It is hard to explain the draw of this game to one who is not in tune with this type of game. I have been trying to do that with my son (currently 39) since I started with this franchise with Farming Simulator 15.

[John787]

What games have you played that fire your neurons?

[Arcticspyder]

Originally posted by Cpt.John:

What games have you played that fire your neurons?

Pong and thumb wrestling!

[Fleshbits]

Originally posted by Cpt.John:

What games have you played that fire your neurons?

Dominions 5
EU4
CK2
Factorio
Cities Skylines
Dwarf Fortress
Cataclysm DDA
Supreme Commander Forged Alliance
M.U.L.E
Zork

[Hidden Gunman]

It's a 'zen' game. Provides satisfaction and relaxation without stress. I use it to wind down.