I suppose I should never underestimate just how busy the summer months can be for me. The summer of 2016 has been no exception. While the US Labor Day holiday is officially behind us, and Labor Day is somewhat the official end of summer. I’m not 100% sure when things will slow down for me.
Since returning from our European vacation, I’ve been busy with business related travels and other projects. I did find some time over this past long weekend to enjoy some Farm Sim 15. I’m still farming on the Sosnovka map which was part of the FS15 Gold expansion pack. I figure I’ll continue with this map until Farming Simulator 17 is released. Speaking of FS17, I did pre-order a few months ago. I received an email from Steam which enticed me to pre-order to receive the Challenger MT700E Field Viper and the Valtra T-Series Cow Edition. (see below). I figured I would give FS17 a shot and didn’t want to miss out on these two free tractors.
The release date of FS17 is still over a month away (releases 25 October 2016) and while I’ve watched a few YouTube trailer videos, I’m still not 100% sure if we’re going to see anything that different between FS17 and the current FS15. Sure, FS17 will feature two new crops (sunflowers and soybeans) and one new animal type (pigs). But those of us who play FS15 on the PC platform have had those and more through the wonderful world of mods. Of course, the really big news with FS17 is now console players will get access to mods.
Here are a couple of YouTube videos showcasing FS17. But the big question I have regarding these videos. Are these actual game play or still CGI teasers?
While I didn’t own FS13, the move from FS15 to FS17 will be a new experience for me. Things like how long it takes for the mod developers to catch up will be a topic I’m keen on following. For example, Courseplay is one of my must-have listed mods. FS17 won’t be complete until Courseplay has been made available. Will the FS15 version (4.01) work in FS17? At one point I heard the Courseplay developers were on hiatus. Does anyone know if they are once again active?
Finally, I’m somewhat surprised the YouTube channel for Cattle and Crops has not been very active in recent weeks. With Giants releasing videos every few weeks (and less than two months to release) I would think Cattle and Crops would also be keeping us excited. But looks like the last video from Cattle and Crops was over 3 months ago.
I’ve been busy. Actually…that is a lie! I’ve been extremely busy. But this is just how the summer months are for me. Plus my wife and I are just a few weeks away from our European vacation. She and I both have jobs where we are the only individuals who do what we do. Meaning….we have no backup. We work extremely hard before a break or vacation and then work extremely hard once we return. Anyway…
Yesterday, Giants released a video preview (well they call it a trailer) for the upcoming Farming Simulator 17. When I first watched it, I had just come back from a two hour long meeting (that translates into two hours of wasted time which I’ll never get back) and I thought WOW….but then I realized it was all CGI or computer generated imagery. Sigh….
Like you, I’m excited about the release of FS17. I really am. While FS15 was my introduction to this franchise, I’ve read forum posts and blogs from frustrated fans who expected a lot more with FS15 than Giants delivered. So….I’m somewhat skeptical in exactly what FS17 will be when it releases towards the end of October.
FS15 is a great game. But it has issues. Will these issues be addressed in FS17? What is really new with FS17? These are valid questions but you won’t find the answers in the below preview. BUT….Giants is certainly willing to take your money now. Of course, we can speculate right?
From what I’ve seen, it looks like there could be a few new things with FS17 that wasn’t included in FS15 (at least without mods). It appears we will see a few new equipment brands in FS17. We may also see some new animals (perhaps pigs) and it looks like a few new crops may also be added. But these are all things that we had in FS15 through the modding community. But wait….I know folks who play on the console platforms don’t have access to mods. However, it appears this may be changing with FS17. “Among the many new features to be announced in the coming months for Farming Simulator 17, we are happy to unveil that modding support – which is exceptionally popular on PC – is making its grand debut on consoles!” WOW….this is great news for console gamers.
OK…I realize the end of October is still over four months away. But I’d really rather see video of actual game play instead of the CGI preview they released. Yes, the CGI stuff looks amazing. But I really, really, really doubt FS17 is going to look anything like this CGI preview. What will it look like? I think it will look like FS15, but hopefully slightly better.
Bottom line. I think console players will be over the moon with FS17. I think those of us on PC will be less impressed only because we’ve had access to mods all this time and we all know that mods are really what makes Farming Simulator beyond awesome.
Enjoy the preview. I’ve got to get back to work now.
I’ve been searching for a way to enable BOTH my Logitech G27 wheel/pedal/shifter unit AND my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick in Farming Simulator 15. I’ve worn Google out and have read through many forums. I’ve also watched several YouTube videos. Unfortunately, much of the information available is either in a non-English language or more geared towards FS13. Some videos and forum threads discuss the need to edit the inputBinding.xml file and some even mention the need to install 3rd party software. I’ve also read through so many comments from fellow FS15 enthusiasts who are so frustrated and fed up, that they just gave up on trying to get it all to work.
Let’s face it. Giants SHOULD have done a better job implementing wheel support in FS15. Simply put…I believe they dropped the ball. If you are going to develop a driving based game and call it a simulator…YOU NEED TO OFFER WHEEL SUPPORT. Yes, FS15 can be controlled via the keyboard or a simple XBox type controller. Some folks are 100% happy with this setup. However, if you want to take this game to the max and truly push the limits…(and feel good about calling it a simulator) then offer better wheel support like is offered in Euro Truck Simulator 2 or American Truck Simulator.
Now that we’ve got that all out of the way, I absolutely love Farming Simulator 15. While I play a variety of simulation based games like the previously mentioned ATS/ETS2…I also enjoy Car Mechanic Simulator 2015, Train Simulator 16 and Flight Simulation (P3D). At the present time I would have to say that Farming Simulator 15 is my favorite. I believe it is my favorite because there is so much variety in the game play. FS15 allows us to operate tractors, combines, front loaders, bale hay, manage livestock and of course chop trees down in forestry.
The operation of most vehicles in FS15 is pretty straight forward with the G27. Press the gas pedal and the vehicle goes forward, turn the steering wheel and it turns. However, the operation of other functions not so much. For example, if you are operating the telehandler or the wheel loader…the operation of the front bucket is a little clumsy with the mouse. Actually it can be downright frustrating. Considering one spends good money on the G27, the need to use the mouse or keyboard to operate the front bucket really blows away the immersion you are attempting to achieve.
Most know the forestry aspect of Farming Simulator 15 is a very good way to generate a lot of money when first starting out on a new map. But operating the crane to pickup logs to load the trailer with the mouse or keyboard is just as frustrating as I previously described. Perhaps more so.
In the real world, these equipment functions are managed by pulling a lever or two and in some cases using a joystick (or two). I purchase the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick over a year ago in an effort to use it for handling the functions of operating the front bucket or grabbing logs. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get it to work alongside my G27…..UNTIL NOW!!!
As I mentioned at the top of this piece, I’ve searched, I’ve watched and I’ve read in an effort to make this work. I’ve started threads on many of the popular FS15 forums asking for assistance…and basically heard nothing but crickets. So in an effort to assist others who may find themselves in my situation…I’ve decided to document what I did to get both my Logitech G27 and Extreme 3D Pro Joystick to work in Farming Simulator 15.
The video below is just a little over 12 minutes long. In this span of time I demonstrate what I did to get my hardware working. During this video I setup the basic assignments for the wheel, pedals and joystick. Both the G27 and the joystick unit offer many buttons which can be programmed in the same manner I demonstrate in the video. You just need to decide what you want programmed.
Thank you for watching this video. It is my desire to help as many people as possible. Please share! Also please visit my blog site Planes, Trains & Automobiles (and Farming Too!) for more helpful how-to articles, mod reviews and other simulation adventures. You may also Follow Me on Twitter.
October has been an important month in the Farming Simulator franchise. As it has historically been the month in which the new version of Farming Simulator has been released. Farming Simulator 11 was released on October 29, 2010, Farming Simulator 13 was released on October 25, 2012 and Farming Simulator 15 was released on October 30, 2014. Unless Giants runs into delays, we should expect Farming Simulator 17 to become available this coming October. That’s less than 8 months away. WOW….can you dig it?
Here’s my Top 10 List of improvements/enhancements I’d like to see in Farming Simulator 17.
Better Wheel Support
Of all the things I could think I would be interested in seeing in the new FS17, better wheel support was on the top of my list and I would almost be willing to bet that it is probably near the top of your list too. Especially if you use a steering wheel to enhance your FS15 game play.
FS15 was my first entry into the Farming Simulator franchise. I have absolutely no experience with FS11 or FS13. But it is somewhat apparent (at least to me), that Giants really, really, REALLY missed the boat with regards to wheel support in FS15. While it is very much possible to do everything that needs to be done with a mouse and keyboard or like a XBox stile controller, this is a simulator. If Giants is to be serious about calling this game a simulator, then it truly needs better wheel support in FS17. I’m not suggesting a little bit better….I mean a lot better. If FS17 isn’t on par with that of Euro Truck Simulator 2 and/or American Truck Simulator (with regards to wheel support) then in my mind, I don’t see the need to upgrade. Period!
Considering one of the more popular wheel units (Logitech G27) has been available since 2010, and only a small portion of the buttons work in FS15 and even the wheel and pedals is very problematic at the best of times in FS15 suggests to me that Giants didn’t take wheel support serious enough with FS15.
Final thoughts about wheel support and FS17. Yes…Giants did team up with Saitek and co-developed the Farming Simulator wheel, pedals and console controller. Before I purchased my G27 (spring 2015) I debated on waiting until this unit was available. I’m so glad I didn’t wait. I’ve watched plenty of YouTube “Unboxing” videos and the lack of quality really shows with this controller. While it is “Plug and Play” and automatically configures itself to the FS15 game…I’m really, really glad I own the Logitech G27. But just because Giants partnered with Saitek shouldn’t mean they should only care about Saitek users. Time will tell….
Better First Person or “In Cab” Experience
I almost rarely drive any of the equipment from inside the cab or in first person view. The reason for this is because the first person view along with functional mirror use is seriously lacking in FS15. While I hate to keep comparing FS15 to games like ETS2, but considering ETS2 was released in 2012 and features a wonderful first person “in cab” experience with functional mirrors and it’s a year older than FS15, it just proves that FS17 needs to really step up their “game” in this area.
Vehicle Mechanics
I personally think it would be cool if the equipment needed to be serviced. I’m not necessarily calling for a “Car Mechanic Simulator 15” process….but something better than what we have in FS15. So in FS15 we pay a price per day for equipment maintenance. This is automatic and we’re not required to do anything. The only maintenance we are required to do is re-fuel and occasionally wash the vehicles. I think this should be expanded into more. For example, (referring to ETS2 or ATS) over time our trucks develop a certain amount of “wear and tear”. This can be caused by crashing our truck into something or it can also just be from driving. In ETS2/ATS we are required to drive our truck to a repair shop or dealer for this repair work.
In FS17, it would be great if this type of function could be implemented. I’d suggest two different approaches. First, initially all work would need to be done at the dealership and at a higher price. Then, a good option for a placeable object would be a repair shop. Let’s face it, most farmers are extremely good at being self-sufficient. Then in purchasing a placeable repair shop, the work done would still have a cost (oil, filters, tires etc.) but the cost would be lower as the work would be handled by the farmer.
TrackIR Integration
I’m going to call out TrackIR integration as an area I hope Giants puts into FS17. While it is true you can get TrackIR to work with FS15 through their mouse look emulator, it’s not the same as what we enjoy with other simulation games. I believe with a better first person experience AND TrackIR, it will truly make Farming Simulator 17 a great simulation game.
Better Camera Support
While this may be available from mods, I’d like to see better camera functionality in FS17. We should have the ability to pre-set various camera views which can either be selected by keyboard or controller button assignment or simply cycle through the list. If you are familiar with Flight Simulator X (FSX) or Prepar3d (P3D) and the add-on called EZDok. EZDok is a 3rd party application (mod) which allows the user to establish a series of camera views (internal or external). You might have one view setup from the pilot perspective, another view of the CDU, a wing view etc. etc. Unfortunately the camera view in FS15 tends to have a mind of its own unless you correct that with a mod.
Better Game Physics
I think we all hope to see improvements in this category with FS17. I’d like to see the issues which causes a tractor to leap off the ground when connecting an implement be a thing of the past. Also, I’d perhaps enjoy forestry work if the logs didn’t jump around as if they were possessed.
More Crop Types
While mods certainly offer us a “sky is the limit” experience regarding crop types. For those who enjoy this game on the console platform, I’m sure they would love to have more crop types from the standard barley, canola, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets etc.
More Animal Types
Like with crop types, I hope FS17 brings us a bigger variety in the animal husbandry department. Having the opportunity to raise elephants, giraffe and the occasional monkey should be at the top of Giants list of priorities. Of course, I’m joking…I’m just checking if you are paying attention. I suppose with exception to goats, horses and perhaps emu/ostrich…most typical barnyard animals are represented in the FS15. I’d like to see Giants enhance the visual textures and perhaps offer a wider variety of textures. I’d love to raise Longhorn cattle on my farm/ranch.
Better AI Traffic
OK…I’ll admit that AI traffic is a pain in the backside in all areas of simulation based games I enjoy. To me this is a very low priority as I’m happy to just leave my AI traffic turned off. Yes, this means I don’t see other cars/trucks driving around…but then again, most maps I play I’m more focused on the actual farm aspects of harvesting, planting and raising my livestock and don’t really care about seeing other cars. But I know some people really are hoping for better AI traffic, so I’ve included it on my list.
Better Textures (Ground/Dirt especially)
Of course there is a fine line to walk with regards to just how much can be done and not seriously sacrifice computer performance. For the most part the crop textures look pretty good in FS15. But the field/dirt could use a bit of a upgrade. But as far as I’m concerned there are much bigger areas of need and the reason why I’ve listed this one last on my list.
Well….What do you think? Is this a valid top 10 wish list? Or is this a pipe dream?
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