Farming Simulator is a series of farming simulation video games created by GIANTS Software. The game settings are set in places across America, Europe, and Asia. Players can farm land, raise animals, grow plants, and sell items made from farming.

The games have sold more than 25 million copies in total, and there have been 90 million downloads on mobile devices. The game was updated and improved every two years (except for the latest two versions) with better graphics, more types of vehicles, and more tasks for players to do.

Gameplay

In career mode, players act as farmers. Their jobs include improving old equipment and machines by harvesting and selling crops. Players can explore the map, choose which crops to grow, and use their money to buy more fields or better tools. They may also raise animals or earn money through forestry.

The game includes tasks that change each time. These tasks require players to complete activities, such as cutting grass, adding fertilizer to fields, or delivering items, within a set time. Players receive money for finishing tasks, and extra money if they complete them quickly (except in Farming Simulator 19 and 22).

Farming Simulator 14 was the first mobile version of the game to include multiplayer mode. Farming Simulator 16 added Bluetooth support. Newer console versions allow multiplayer (the older console version was the first console version of the game, based on the 2013 Titanium edition). Farming Simulator 15 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One also includes multiplayer mode.

Games

Farmer Simulator 2008 was released on April 14, 2008. It was the first official game in the Farming Simulator series. The game is called Farmer Simulator outside of German-speaking countries, but later games use the name Farming Simulator.

Farming Simulator 2009 was the second game in the series. It added new crops like corn, rapeseed (canola), and barley. It also included modding support, more machinery, and a remastered version of the same map from 2008.

This was the third game in the series. It was the first to include a multiplayer mode. A new map was added, and machinery from Deutz-Fahr, Pöttinger, and Horsch was included. These brands also appeared in the FS 2009 Gold edition. Cows were added to this game for the first time.

Farming Simulator 2013 was first released on October 26, 2012. A version for PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 was released in 2013, called Farming Simulator. A year later, on October 10, 2013, it was updated and re-released as Farming Simulator 2013 Titanium Edition. This version included all previous content, plus a new map called "Westbridge Hills" and new vehicles. Additional content was also released as DLC for players who owned the original game.

Farming Simulator 15 was released for Windows and Mac OS on October 30, 2014. It introduced forestry, washable vehicles, and 41 brands. The base game included 140 pieces of equipment, and the gold edition DLC added 160 more. It was later released for consoles on May 19, 2015.

Farming Simulator 17 was released on October 25, 2016. It included Fendt machinery, which had not been in the series since Farming Simulator 2009. Other brands like Massey Ferguson, Challenger, and Valtra were also added. New crops like soybeans, sunflowers, and oilseed radishes could be grown in the base game, unlike earlier versions where players needed modifications. Players could increase crop yield by fertilizing fields, plowing after harvests, de-weeding, or using oilseed radishes as cover crops. The game also allowed players to complete missions for other farmers. New features included drivable trains and an in-game radio. On November 14, 2017, a free platinum expansion pack was released. It added a new map, sugarcane growth, and new vehicles and tools.

Farming Simulator Nintendo Switch Edition was released on November 7, 2017. It was a version of Farming Simulator 17 for the Nintendo Switch, with the same maps and vehicles. No DLC was released for this version.

Farming Simulator 19 was released on November 20, 2018. It had a redesigned graphics engine and added horse farming, as well as oat and cotton crops. John Deere machinery was included for the first time, along with Komatsu, Rau, and Wilson trailer brands. The Platinum Expansion added 37 pieces of Claas machinery (or 41 if pre-ordered). A sixth DLC, Kverneland & Vicon, included 20 pieces of equipment. A seventh DLC, Alpine Farming, was released on November 12, 2020. It added a new map called "Erlengrat" and new licensed machinery, including AEBI, Rigitrac, and Bührer. A version called Farming Simulator 19: Ambassador Edition, which included the base game, two expansions, and six DLCs, was announced for release on June 21, 2022.

Farming Simulator 22 was released on November 22, 2021. It included a seasonal cycle, gear shifting, production chains for crops and livestock, and new crops like grapes, olives, and sorghum. Over 400 vehicles and implements were included. New features like DirectX 12 support, parallax occlusion mapping, and temporal anti-aliasing were added. A Platinum Expansion was released on November 15, 2022. It included a forestry-themed map called "Silverrun Forest" and 40 new machines, mostly from Volvo BM. A second major expansion, released on November 14, 2023, added a Central European map called "Zielonka" and new crops like carrots, parsnips, and red beet. It also included new factories, 35 specialized machines, and four new brands: Dewulf, Gorenc, Agrio, and WIFO.

Farming Simulator 25 was released on November 12, 2024. It used the new Giants Engine 10, which improved weather effects and shadow rendering. New features included water buffalo farming, rice, spinach, and over 400 vehicles and implements. An Asian-themed map was included alongside the usual USA and European maps. This version was released with the Farming Simulator 25 Limited Edition and Deluxe Edition for PC, and as a special green Sega Genesis/Mega Drive cartridge.

Farming Simulator 2012 was released for Nintendo 3DS, iOS, and Android in 2012. The 3DS version supported 3D graphics.

Farming Simulator 14 was released for iOS, Android, Nintendo 3DS, Windows Phone, and PlayStation Vita on November 18, 2013. It offered a smoother and more casual experience on mobile platforms than earlier versions. The game included 10–20 brands.

Farming Simulator 16 was released for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and PlayStation Vita on May 8, 2015. In November 2023, it was updated to include a John Deere 7230 R tractor, even though the brand was not added to the series until Farming Simulator 19 in 2018.

A game was announced for Nintendo 3DS, iOS, Android, and PlayStation Vita. It was released on June 6, 2017. It included 28 drivable vehicles and 48 pieces of equipment. The map represented the American desert and grasslands.

Another game was released for Nintendo

Esports

GIANTS Software started an Esports league in 2019. There are about 12 teams in the league, and many of them are supported by companies that make farming equipment. Instead of managing a farm, which is the goal in the game series, the competitions involve 3-player teams working together to deliver the most hay bales within a set amount of time.

Reception

The Farming Simulator series has received mixed reviews. Some critics praise the game for its relaxing experience and the variety of realistic farm equipment and vehicles. Others have pointed out that the games can feel repetitive and lack exciting features, though some believe these aspects are common in simulator games. The series is aimed at people who know a lot about farming, but it is usually enjoyed by both farmers and people who are not familiar with farming.