Inside Farming Simulator 25: Exclusive Developers Interview

Introduction

Farming Simulator 25 marks a major milestone for sim game fans. As of today, 12th November 2024, players around the world are driving their agricultural machinery into the latest iteration of one of the most beloved simulation franchises. My journey with FS25 began earlier this year when I had the opportunity to visit Giants Software booth and stand at Gamescom 2024. For a game stand in consumer zone they had brought in a massive 650 hoursepower monster – CLAAS XERION 12.650 TT!

Simulation games like “Farming Simulator 25” are more than just entertainment – players are not just managing fields, but also making decisions that mirror those of real-world farmers – balancing budgets, dealing with the unpredictable nature of the weather, and even managing supply chains. Farming Simulator blur the line between education and gaming, offering players a chance to explore how interconnected the economy is with the work that happens on a farm.

Giants Software has come a long way since the early days of the franchise. With the huge success of “Farming Simulator 22”, which saw a record-breaking number of players, the team has continued to push the boundaries of what a farming sim can offer. Their dedication to realism, depth, and accessibility has secured their position as a leader in simulation games.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Wolfgang Ebert, the PR and Marketing Manager at Giants Software, along with Community-Manager Benjamin Galla Community-Manager. We talked about what makes “Farming Simulator 25” stand out, their vision for the future, and how they approached the monumental task of improving on an already beloved franchise.

Interview with Wolfgang Ebert and Benjamin Galla from Giants Software

Let’s dive right in. Farming Simulator 25 has been getting a lot of buzz lately. Wolfgang, could you start by giving us an overview of what players can expect from this new installment?

Wolfgang: Absolutely. It’s been three years since Farming Simulator 22, and we’ve made some significant upgrades, especially on the technical side. We’re still using our in-house engine, the Giants Engine 10, which has been improved continuously since 2008. This time, we’ve added features like enhanced dynamic shadows, ground deformation, realistic water simulation, and a new paint shader. And we have Benjamin to demo all new stuff for us.

That sounds incredible! Benjamin, could you tell us more about these technical improvements? What makes them stand out?

Benjamin: Sure thing. One of the coolest upgrades is the dynamic shadows and lighting. For instance, you can see the shadows of clouds passing over fields or the reflection of the sunrise on vehicles. The level of realism we’ve achieved compared to Farming Simulator 22 with the updated engine is something we’re really proud of. It feels immersive – like you’re really out on the field and enjoy the early hours of foggy morning dawns or evening sunsets, marking the end of a hard day.

The teaser mentioned new crops. Wolfgang, could you elaborate on that?

Wolfgang: Yes, we have a total of 25 crops in the game now. New additions include rice, which has both a dry and wet version, reflecting different growing techniques used in Asia and the US. In Asia, rice is grown in saplings before being planted in water, whereas in the US, they seed directly and flood the field. We also have new crops like spinach and cotton, and we expanded the greenhouse with vegetables like tomatoes and lettuce. It’s all about bringing more variety and realism to farming.

That’s fascinating. Could you tell us more about the new machinery? I know that’s always a big part of the Farming Simulator series. What’s new in that area?

Wolfgang: We’ve got over 400 machines in Farming Simulator 25, including all the big names like John Deere, Kubota, and Massey Ferguson. We even added some exotic ones, like a Japanese rice harvesters, which has steel wheels designed to handle the wet, muddy conditions of a rice paddy. And we now have goats and water buffalo as new animals – including offspring, which means players can watch them grow from calves to adults.

Benjamin: Let me add that we also introduced a new brand, J&M, with an auger wagon for rice. It’s especially useful in the US, where you need to work with large trucks to transport all that yield. In Europe, it’s usually a tractor and trailer setup, but in the US, the scale is much bigger.

Speaking of size, in previous versions of the game it was always quite challenging to follow the path in a straight line and not miss a land patch. I heard FS25 is introducing GPS technology. How does that work?

Benjamin: Yup. We added GPS steering, a feature that our community has been asking for. It helps you calculate the best lines for harvesting or seeding, making your work more efficient. It’s something many real-life farmers use to get the most out of their fields, and now our players can do the same. You just select the line, and the machine will follow it perfectly – it’s a game-changer for those who want to manage their fields more precisely. But once again, this is not our invention, real farmers using this tech for decades.

That’s a great addition for realism. Could you tell us about any new weather events in Farming Simulator 25, and how they impact the gameplay?

Wolfgang: Yes, we’ve added weather events like tornadoes and hail. It adds a new layer of unpredictability to the game. If you want, you can completely turn them off, but for those looking for more challenge, you can have these events create real destruction to your crops. It adds tension, especially for players who enjoy a more competitive element in farming.

That’s certainly going to add some drama! How does it impact the gameplay if, say, a tornado appears?

Benjamin: The tornado can destroy fields, just like in real life. It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does, it’s a powerful visual experience. You’ll see crops being ripped from the ground, and it really makes you think about risk management in farming. It’s all about giving players an authentic farming experience with a twist.

What about the machines left on a field? Will they get damaged or destroyed?

Wolfgang: They will suffer durability or wear loss, which will impact your budget. It’s wiser to evacuate them away from a tornado.

Will this damage be visible?

Benjamin: Oh, I would love to, but sadly, no. All our machines are licensed real products, and the brand owners don’t quite want to see them depicted with shattered windows or bent bodies.

That’s a big change from the relaxing, almost meditative farming of past games. Speaking of changes, what other features did you add to appeal to both new players and veterans?

Wolfgang: We’ve introduced various options to cater to different types of players. For example, there’s now an option called “crop destruction” – if you drive over your crops, you can destroy them, but only if you choose to activate this setting. We’ve also kept it flexible in terms of time management. Players can decide how fast time moves or even skip forward if they want to speed things up.

That flexibility sounds perfect for casual players. Now, what about animal husbandry? You mentioned something earlier about visual offsprings.

Wolfgang: For the first time, you can visually see the different stages of animal growth. You start with calves, watch them become teenagers, and finally adults, so three stages. It adds more depth to managing livestock and makes the farm feel even more alive.

Are there any new tools or mechanics for managing livestock in the game?

Benjamin: Yes, definitely! In Farming Simulator 25, we’ve added new tools for managing livestock, including an improved interface for tracking feed and health. There’s also a new mechanic for breeding animals, allowing you to observe distinct growth stages. The addition of water buffalo and goats brings even more variety to livestock management, and it’s fun watching them grow from calves or kids to adults.

Can you tell us a bit more about how the new greenhouse mechanics work? Are they similar to the field crops or something different?

Wolfgang: The greenhouse system in Farming Simulator 25 is a bit different compared to field crops. It allows players to grow vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers in a controlled environment. This means they don’t rely as much on weather conditions, which is great for players who want a more relaxed farming experience. The greenhouses require regular water supply and maintenance, but they provide a consistent yield. They also play a crucial role in wet rice planting, as they are used for growing rice seedlings.

What about multiplayer features? Any new updates in that area?

Wolfgang: Multiplayer has always been a core part of the Farming Simulator experience, and we’ve made some improvements there as well. We’ve optimized server performance, making it smoother for players to join up with friends and manage their farms together. There’s also better communication tools within the game, so coordinating tasks with your teammates is much easier now.

Are there any specific community requests that made it into the game this time around?

Benjamin: Absolutely! The GPS steering feature is something our community has been asking for, and we made sure to include it. Players also wanted more control over weather effects, which is why we added the option to turn destructive weather events on or off. We always take community feedback seriously, and a lot of the new features reflect what our players want.

How do you see the balance between realism and entertainment in Farming Simulator 25? Is there a particular approach you took?

Wolfgang: It’s all about giving players options. We want to create an experience that’s as close to real farming as possible for those who want that challenge, but we also want it to be accessible and fun for newcomers. So, we offer settings that allow players to adjust the difficulty and realism levels, whether it’s managing weather, crop growth cycles, or animal care.

Out of all the new features, which one excites you the most?

Benjamin: For me, it’s definitely the Japanese rice harvester. It’s such a unique vehicle, and the animations are just beautiful. It looks almost toy-like, but it does its job very efficiently. I think our players are going to love seeing it in action, especially since it’s something many people have never seen in real life, as rice farming methods differ significantly between the US, EU and Asia.

Wolfgang: I agree. It really shows how diverse farming can be, and it’s a great addition for players who enjoy exploring different aspects of agriculture.

Before we wrap up, could you both share your thoughts on the future of the Farming Simulator series? Where do you see it heading?

Wolfgang: I think we’re moving towards more realism while maintaining player choice. We’re looking at ways to integrate more technology that real farmers use, like drones, while also making sure players can customize their experience however they like.

Benjamin: Exactly. We want to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in farming simulation, always adding more detail and more layers to keep things fresh and exciting.

Finally, is there any feature that you’re particularly proud of in this installment that you think players will really enjoy?

Benjamin: For me, it’s the new ground deformation mechanics. Watching the soil react dynamically to the weight of your machinery adds an entirely new layer of immersion. It’s those small details that make the experience feel authentic and keep players coming back for more.

Wolfgang: The new level of realism, the lighting effects, shaders, and reflections on the machines – Giants Engine 10 is a fantastic tool, and we are really happy to build a game with it.

Final Words

It’s great to see how projects like Farming Simulator evolve on par with technologies and the capabilities of modern gaming platforms. Game engines have become more advanced, offering improvements across the board—from significant visual changes to more complex physics, gameplay mechanics, and living, changing environments. This continuous innovation truly enhances both the depth and immersion of the farming experience.