Farm Town
Encyclopedia
Farm Town is a free, Flash-based
browser
multiplayer simulation game
for the social network
platforms Facebook
and Myspace
. It is social media
developed by software company Slashkey in early 2009. The game version number is undisclosed; however, updates have been made available every few months and the current (as of August 2011) online version has 260 levels but is still labeled as beta phase.
; the company has done no marketing.
, its availability through successful social networks allowed it to attract 14 million registered users as of July 27, 2009. The following day, Farm Town was cited as the most popular application on Facebook with growth of nearly 300,000 new users per day. According to Jerome Paradis, each monthly application user is worth from $1 to $2 in revenue to an online game that is successful. Based on millions of users, the application should be very profitable for developer Slashkey. To play Farm Town on Facebook or MySpace, you must log onto the social network site first.
and receives a tract of land with five plots planted with potatoes in various stages of maturity and one plot plowed but unplanted. Farm layout (including buildings, decorations, field layout, etc.) is the responsibility of the farmer. The farmer then begins the basic activities of plowing, planting and harvesting crops.
It costs a farmer 20 coins to plow each acre of land. Each farmer must plant their own plots, but the only expense is the cost of the seed, which varies by crop from 15-300 coins per acre and plants mature after growing from 2 hours to 4 days. The value of a crop at harvest ranges from 47-704 coins per plot.
The game encourages cooperation with other players. For example, it costs half the price per plowing to hire workers to assist with plowing and harvesting; on the contrary, the farmer actually gets a 25% bonus for having someone else do the work. Players can also establish a buddy list
which indicates when friends are online and enables messaging. Harvesting and storing crops earns more than harvesting and selling immediately. In Farm Town, animals won't leave their farm if they aren't fenced; they don’t have to be fed and never damage crops. Trees bear fruit that never spoils. As the player accumulates experience and coins, they rise to higher levels which reveal more options, permitting the purchase of more land, improvements and buildings. As of November, 2011 there are 285 levels.
The game developers periodically add new crops and items to purchase, keeping the game interesting. As of August, 2011, the maximum farm size was 576 (24x24) plots. As of November, 2011, players may have up to 12 farms.
For example, harvested olives can be taken to an oil factory and turned into olive oil. Then, this oil and harvested potatoes can be taken to a snack factory to make potato chips.
In summer 2011 a different type of facility was introduced, one that offered services rather than products (such as the music conservatory, modern school, bed and breakfast, and sports arena). These facilities are stocked with finished products from different facilities.
Production of products and services can be speeded up by posting requests for help by neighbors. Separate requests are needed for the production facilities and the service facilities. When neighbors work a facility, they receive products and experience points.
As an aid, harvests and products in your inventory that are usable in some type of facility have a help button ("?") that will direct you to where they can be utilized. As of August 2011, most harvests are usable in some type of facility.
. These products can later be used in facilities to make different products.
Other animals, such as dogs, bulls, donkeys, and squirrels, currently serve no main purpose in the game and are intended as decorations only.
Since November, 2011, Farm Town has now made it possible to purchase up to 12 additional farms, accessible with rhombus icons at the top left of the farmer's Flashplayer window. Each new farm starts at 12x12, and can be extended to 24x24 by using Farm Coins or Farm Cash. Items and farm equipment can be stored from one farm, then taken out of storage and placed on another farm.
A user can acquire game coins or FarmCash via three different ways (without harvesting, etc.):
1. By spending real money through Paypal
or other payment services.
2. Businesses offer free Coins or FarmCash for taking a survey or requesting product information, others require a purchase of their products and services.
3. Every time a user advances one level in the game, he/she earns 1 FarmCash.
Amount of fuel given is dependent upon: Level, friends, friends helped (visiting and taking care of friends farms), active friends, fuel gifted by friends, and fuel produce by a farmer's oil pump and refinery. You receive 10 units of fuel for each item in the first 4 categories, 300 units for each fuel tank sent as a gift by a neighbor and 500 units for each fuel tank produced by a refinery (e.g. Own level 10 + 10 friends + 10 active friends + 8 friends helped + 4 fuel tanks gifted = 1580 units of fuel).
Fuel is free but can only be obtained once per farm day. Refueling will remove any unused fuel units still stored on your farm.
attack on the Farm Town game. During the game a message or advert would show saying one needed to purchase an Anti-Virus program and run a scan on the user's computer. This led to users giving out personal information and credit card details leading to bank theft. Users are advised not to click on the link and are asked to update and scan their computer with a trusted Anti-Virus program.
Farm Town Guru also has a forum community alongside all of their Guides & Tips.
Adobe Flash Player
The Adobe Flash Player is software for viewing multimedia, Rich Internet Applications and streaming video and audio, on a computer web browser or on supported mobile devices. Flash Player runs SWF files that can be created by the Adobe Flash authoring tool, by Adobe Flex or by a number of other...
browser
Browser game
A browser game is a computer game that is played over the Internet using a web browser. Browser games can be created and run using standard web technologies or browser plug-ins. Browser games include all video game genres and can be single-player or multiplayer...
multiplayer simulation game
Simulation video game
A simulation video game describes a diverse super-category of computer and video games, generally designed to closely simulate aspects of a real or fictional reality.-Sub-genres:-Construction and management simulation:...
for the social network
Social network
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
platforms Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
and Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
. It is social media
Social media
The term Social Media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0,...
developed by software company Slashkey in early 2009. The game version number is undisclosed; however, updates have been made available every few months and the current (as of August 2011) online version has 260 levels but is still labeled as beta phase.
Overview
At that time, 11 servers were required to support the web traffic, and another one or two more were added each week. All the growth has come from player invitations and word of mouthWord of mouth
Word of mouth, or viva voce, is the passing of information from person to person by oral communication. Storytelling is the oldest form of word-of-mouth communication where one person tells others of something, whether a real event or something made up. Oral tradition is cultural material and...
; the company has done no marketing.
Application
The game was finally added to the Facebook Application Directory in June 2009 and debuted as the fourth most popular game on Facebook. Despite its lack of complexity and advanced features compared to standalone MMORPGsMassively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
, its availability through successful social networks allowed it to attract 14 million registered users as of July 27, 2009. The following day, Farm Town was cited as the most popular application on Facebook with growth of nearly 300,000 new users per day. According to Jerome Paradis, each monthly application user is worth from $1 to $2 in revenue to an online game that is successful. Based on millions of users, the application should be very profitable for developer Slashkey. To play Farm Town on Facebook or MySpace, you must log onto the social network site first.
Gameplay
Each user creates a personal avatarAvatar (computing)
In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities. It can also refer to a text...
and receives a tract of land with five plots planted with potatoes in various stages of maturity and one plot plowed but unplanted. Farm layout (including buildings, decorations, field layout, etc.) is the responsibility of the farmer. The farmer then begins the basic activities of plowing, planting and harvesting crops.
It costs a farmer 20 coins to plow each acre of land. Each farmer must plant their own plots, but the only expense is the cost of the seed, which varies by crop from 15-300 coins per acre and plants mature after growing from 2 hours to 4 days. The value of a crop at harvest ranges from 47-704 coins per plot.
The game encourages cooperation with other players. For example, it costs half the price per plowing to hire workers to assist with plowing and harvesting; on the contrary, the farmer actually gets a 25% bonus for having someone else do the work. Players can also establish a buddy list
Contact list
A contact list is a collection of screen names in an instant messaging or e-mail program or online game or mobile phone. It has various trademarked and proprietary names in different contexts....
which indicates when friends are online and enables messaging. Harvesting and storing crops earns more than harvesting and selling immediately. In Farm Town, animals won't leave their farm if they aren't fenced; they don’t have to be fed and never damage crops. Trees bear fruit that never spoils. As the player accumulates experience and coins, they rise to higher levels which reveal more options, permitting the purchase of more land, improvements and buildings. As of November, 2011 there are 285 levels.
The game developers periodically add new crops and items to purchase, keeping the game interesting. As of August, 2011, the maximum farm size was 576 (24x24) plots. As of November, 2011, players may have up to 12 farms.
Facilities
Starting in 2010, facilities have been available as items for purchase. These facilities take various produced items and turn them into manufactured goods. (Before this, harvested items were simply sold at the marketplace.) Additionally, some of these manufactured goods can then be used at secondary facilities to make more products. This process produces products that are more profitable than simply selling the raw materials, but it takes more time. Once a production flow is established, the profits are more noticeable.For example, harvested olives can be taken to an oil factory and turned into olive oil. Then, this oil and harvested potatoes can be taken to a snack factory to make potato chips.
In summer 2011 a different type of facility was introduced, one that offered services rather than products (such as the music conservatory, modern school, bed and breakfast, and sports arena). These facilities are stocked with finished products from different facilities.
Production of products and services can be speeded up by posting requests for help by neighbors. Separate requests are needed for the production facilities and the service facilities. When neighbors work a facility, they receive products and experience points.
As an aid, harvests and products in your inventory that are usable in some type of facility have a help button ("?") that will direct you to where they can be utilized. As of August 2011, most harvests are usable in some type of facility.
Fishing
Farm Town players now have the ability to fish at their farm and earn profit. Players can fish in their sea coasts, rivers, ponds, or lakes and sell the caught fish at the marketplace, or use the fish at the sushi restaurant or seafood restaurant (two of Farm Town's facilities) to earn even more profit. Players can also hire others to fish at their farms, or use a fishing boat to catch up to 27 fish at one time.Animals
Starting June 2010, certain animals, such as cows, goats, sheep, llamas, hens, turkeys, horses, and rabbits can be distributed into any of five buildings: the wool shed, the dairy shed, the chicken coop, the rabbit hutch, and the stable (which turned from a decoration to a facility in July 2011). Wool, milk, eggs, feathers, and hair can be collected from them in a way similar to FarmvilleFarmVille
FarmVille is a farming simulation social network game developed by Zynga in 2009. It is similar to Happy Farm, Farm Town,, and older games such as the Harvest Moon series...
. These products can later be used in facilities to make different products.
Other animals, such as dogs, bulls, donkeys, and squirrels, currently serve no main purpose in the game and are intended as decorations only.
Map
The Map icon on the Farm Town toolbar displays four subsequent icons as destinations.Marketplace
A fruit stand image facilitates a trip to the Marketplace, where harvested crops and products are sold. Other players also congregate there for the opportunity to hire or be hired to harvest or plow, which earns coins and experience points (XP). The marketplace is also where animals, trees, flowers and all other objects can be sold. Also farmers can trade and sell crops to each other in lieu of selling them to the "mayor".Realtor Office
A "For Sale" sign signifies the Realtor Office, where the available options to increase farm size are displayed. Those opportunities only occur at odd-numbered levels from 15 to 25 and cost from 20,000 to 80,000 coins.Since November, 2011, Farm Town has now made it possible to purchase up to 12 additional farms, accessible with rhombus icons at the top left of the farmer's Flashplayer window. Each new farm starts at 12x12, and can be extended to 24x24 by using Farm Coins or Farm Cash. Items and farm equipment can be stored from one farm, then taken out of storage and placed on another farm.
Bank
Game components, including seeds, buildings, trees, paths, animals and etc. are normally purchased with Coins earned while playing the game, or received as gifts from a neighbor. Another option for adding operating funds is to visit the Bank, which is symbolized by a large dollar sign. Beginning in September 2009, a virtual currency called FarmCash was introduced to the game. "Premium" items (including some facilities) were added in the Marketplace that cannot be purchased with Coins.A user can acquire game coins or FarmCash via three different ways (without harvesting, etc.):
1. By spending real money through Paypal
PayPal
PayPal is an American-based global e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers to be made through the Internet. Online money transfers serve as electronic alternatives to paying with traditional paper methods, such as checks and money orders....
or other payment services.
2. Businesses offer free Coins or FarmCash for taking a survey or requesting product information, others require a purchase of their products and services.
3. Every time a user advances one level in the game, he/she earns 1 FarmCash.
Fuel station
A fuel pump signifies the fuel station, where owners of farm equipment can go to refuel their vehicles.Amount of fuel given is dependent upon: Level, friends, friends helped (visiting and taking care of friends farms), active friends, fuel gifted by friends, and fuel produce by a farmer's oil pump and refinery. You receive 10 units of fuel for each item in the first 4 categories, 300 units for each fuel tank sent as a gift by a neighbor and 500 units for each fuel tank produced by a refinery (e.g. Own level 10 + 10 friends + 10 active friends + 8 friends helped + 4 fuel tanks gifted = 1580 units of fuel).
Fuel is free but can only be obtained once per farm day. Refueling will remove any unused fuel units still stored on your farm.
Malware attack
In 2010, there were reports of a malvertisingMalvertising
Malvertising is the use of online advertising to spread malware.Because advertising content can be inserted into high-profile reputable websites, malvertising provides malefactors an opportunity to "push" their attacks at cautious web users who would not normally visit unknown external URLs, by...
attack on the Farm Town game. During the game a message or advert would show saying one needed to purchase an Anti-Virus program and run a scan on the user's computer. This led to users giving out personal information and credit card details leading to bank theft. Users are advised not to click on the link and are asked to update and scan their computer with a trusted Anti-Virus program.
Forums
Facebook has a forum devoted to Farm Town and several moderated forums are provided for the game by developer Slashkey. There is a forum to help new players ask questions, a forum that identifies "Known Issues, Glitches & Bugs", one for support, Farm town News & Announcements, Feedback & Suggestions, a Social forum, and a non-English forum. In addition, there are a number of unofficial Farm Town forums.Farm Town Guru also has a forum community alongside all of their Guides & Tips.
See also
- FarmVilleFarmVilleFarmVille is a farming simulation social network game developed by Zynga in 2009. It is similar to Happy Farm, Farm Town,, and older games such as the Harvest Moon series...
- Happy FarmHappy FarmHappy Farm is a social network game, or massively multiplayer online game, based on farm management simulation. It is played predominantly by users in Mainland China and Taiwan, and is the most popular MMOG in terms of players...
- Harvest Moon (series)
- Social network gameSocial network gameA social network game is a type of online game that is played through social networks, and typically features multiplayer and asynchronous gameplay mechanics. Social network games are most often implemented as browser games, but can also be implemented on other platforms such as mobile devices...
External links
- FarmTownGuru.com, Farm Town Guides, Tips & Tricks.
- Slashkey Website, Farm Town developer.
- FvLegends.com, FarmVille Guides, Tips & Tricks.