Farming Simulator is a farming simulation video game series created by GIANTS Software. The game features environments inspired by locations in America, Europe, and Asia. Players can engage in farming activities, raise animals, grow crops, and sell items produced from farming.

The games have sold more than 25 million copies in total and have been downloaded over 90 million times on mobile devices. Originally, the game was updated and improved every two years, except for the most recent two versions. These updates included better graphics, more types of vehicles, and additional tasks for players to complete.

Gameplay

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

Missions are created randomly and require players to complete tasks within a set time, such as cutting grass, adding fertilizer to fields, or delivering items. 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. The latest console versions support multiplayer, while earlier console versions (from the previous generation) had the game’s first console release, which included all features from the 2013 Titanium edition. Farming Simulator 15 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One also includes multiplayer mode.

Games

Farming Simulator 2008 was released on April 14, 2008. It was the first game in the Farming Simulator series.

Farming Simulator 2009 is the second game in the series. It added new crops, such as corn, rapeseed/canola, and barley. It also included more machinery and support for custom modifications. The map from 2008 was reused but improved.

This is 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 machines were also in the FS 2009 Gold edition. Cows were also added to this game.

Farming Simulator 2013 was first released on October 26, 2012. A version for PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 was released in 2013. It was 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 and added a new map called "Westbridge Hills" and new vehicles. Additional content was also available as downloadable add-ons for players who owned the original version.

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 2009. It also added Massey Ferguson, Challenger, and Valtra. New crops such as soybeans, sunflowers, and oilseed radishes were added to the base game. Players no longer needed to download modifications to grow these crops. New ways to increase crop yield were introduced, such as fertilizing fields, plowing after harvests, and using oilseed radishes as cover crops. Players could also complete missions for other in-game farmers. New features included drivable trains and an in-game radio. On November 14, 2017, a new expansion pack was released. It added a new map, sugarcane, and new vehicles and tools. This expansion was free with the season pass for all platforms.

Farming Simulator Nintendo Switch Edition was released on November 7, 2017. It was a version of Farming Simulator 17 for the Nintendo Switch. It included the same maps and vehicles as the original game. No downloadable content was added for this version.

Farming Simulator 19 was released on November 20, 2018. It included a redesigned graphics engine and new crops such as oats and cotton. It also added horse farming and John Deere machinery for the first time. The Platinum Expansion included 37 pieces of Claas machinery. A sixth DLC, the Kverneland & Vicon DLC, added 20 pieces of equipment. A seventh DLC, Alpine Farming, was released on November 12, 2020. It included a new map called "Erlengrat" and new licensed machinery. Farming Simulator 19: Ambassador Edition, which includes the base game, two expansions, and six DLCs, was released on June 21, 2022, for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Farming Simulator 25 was released on November 12, 2024. It features the Giants Engine 10, which improves weather effects and shadows. New crops such as rice and spinach were added, along with water buffalo farming. Over 400 vehicles and implements are included. An Asian-themed map is included in addition to the usual USA and European maps. It was released with the Farming Simulator 25 Limited Edition and Deluxe Edition for PC. It was also released as a special edition 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 devices than earlier versions. It included 10–20 brands of machinery.

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

Esports

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

Reception

The Farming Simulator series has received different opinions from people. Some praise the games for their feeling of calmness and the many realistic machines and vehicles included. Others have said the games are too repetitive and do not have enough new ways to play. However, some people believe these features are normal for a simulator. The series is aimed at people who know about farming, but it is usually enjoyed by both farmers and people who do not farm.