June 11, 2015 / admin / 1 Comment
As I posted yesterday, Saitek is due to announce today the pre-order process for their add-on hardware for Farming Simulator. The development effort was a team effort between GIANTS (developer of Farming Simulator) and Saitek (well known developer/manufacture of gaming equipment). Unfortunately, the news which broke yesterday from Saitek left more questions than it provided answers. There was no mention of cost or product availability. But I’m sure this information will all be provided today when the pre-order process opens up.
I wanted to share a few brief thoughts before I actually learn of the cost/availability for the product. I’m writing this article early on Thursday morning with the expectation the pre-order process will launch sometime today as Saitek indicated yesterday. So here goes…
First, I think this announcement and partnership between Saitek and GIANTS is good news for the Farming Simulator franchise. Regardless of the cost, quality etc. of the Saitek product….I don’t think Saitek would waste their time to spend $$$ in R&D (research and development) to bring a product such as this to market if they didn’t feel there would be some longevity to the Farming Simulator franchise beyond FS2015.
Second, from the picture included in yesterdays email announcement, I’m not really sure what to make of the overall quality impression that image leaves me with. To me it just doesn’t look like it will be priced in the range of say the Logitech G27 ($240 USD per Amazon). It also doesn’t appear to be of the same level of quality as the Logitech product.
Third, it most likely won’t function with other driving type games. Also, at the present time it is unclear if this is for PC only or if this device will also function with the console platforms. So again the price point can’t really be anywhere near the G27 for it to be successful.
Drum Roll Please…..
The announcement has just hit and here are the details….
The full kit (including steering wheel, pedals and vehicle side panel is $299.99. The Steering wheel and pedals only is $149.99 and the side panel only is $149.99. See the Saitek website for pre-order info. It looks like general availablilty of the product is Fall 2015 and this is ONLY for PC and Mac. You can read all the specifications here (no need for me to type it all again).
The price of this is somewhat surprising to me. But if the units are plug and play, ready to go and all truly function the way the information claims then perhaps it is justified. After all, even if you purchase the Logitech G27, you still need to purchase a joystick to get the same functionality. So this may really just be geared for the hard-core farming simulator enthusiasts who don’t tend to play other driving games or don’t mind having multiple driving setups for different driving games.
Will I buy this product? Right now the jury is still out. I’m going to think it over, spend more time reading through all the information available and also wait until after next weeks E3 Conferencein Los Angeles where Saitek states the hardware will be on display. Unfortunately, I will not be attending the conference, but hopefully there will be some coverage of this product available somewhere.
In closing, while we know a little more today than we did yesterday. At this point we’ll have to wonder just how easy or difficult the setup will be. If the setup is “plug and play” then I would say…HUGE BONUS for this product. Time will tell. Perhaps Saitek would consider sending me a demo unit to try? I’ll ask as all they can say is no. But then again, I’m not that well established in the FS2015 blogsphere. But I’ll ask anyway.
Until next time….
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
June 10, 2015 / admin / 0 Comments
I’m curious if anyone else is planning to pre-order tomorrow? I guess we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out what the pre-order price will be. But I will admit that I’m curious about this and may just pull the trigger.
What about you?
If you were not aware of this announcement, then follow this link and sign up for their email mailing list. This is all I did a few weeks ago. Hopefully you’ll receive the email tomorrow announcing the pre-order process is live.
Once I find out all the details on pricing and timeframe for availability, then I’ll post another blog posting (most likely tomorrow)
Finally, check out a brand new community geared towards all things simulation (including Farming Simulator). It’s free to join and we’d love to have you. The new community is called PC-SG. Stop by and say hello.
Until next time…
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
June 5, 2015 / admin / 0 Comments
If you tell any hardcore flight sim enthusiast that Microsoft FSX, Prepar3D or even X-Plane is just a game, they’ll tell you that YOU are wrong. Flight simulation is NOT a game, it is a simulator. But can the same be said about Farming Simulator 2015?
I started my virtual farm endeavors about three months ago. In this span of time I’ve learned much about virtual farming. I’ve farmed on the default maps using just the default “in game” equipment and I’ve experimented with mod maps and mod equipment. Just like Flight Simulator, Farming Simulator is greatly enhanced by all the add-ons or mods (modifications) which are developed by those who enjoy the world of virtual farming. In my opinion, the key success to the Farming Simulator franchise is the mods. Take them away….and I believe the game goes away as well.
The topic of this blog posting is whether or not the software application Farming Simulator 2015 is “just a game” or whether it is is more…
In the short span of time I’ve been writing blog articles devoted to Farming Simulator, I’ve made many references and comparisons between Farming Simulator 2015 (FS2015) and Flight Simulator (FSX/P3D etc.) Of course, each application represents something completely different from the other.
Now I’m sure some Harvard educated individual with a PHD might tell you the key differences in what makes up a simulation versus “just a game”. For me, (and my non-PHD education) I’ll just say that I consider a simulation as a tool to provide some level of instruction, guidance, training etc. Or more simply put, through participation and study with the simulation…knowledge, skill and perhaps luck is gained which “might” be applied in the real world.
But wait….I’m not saying that having flown a Boeing 737-800 in P3D will automagically allow me (or anyone else) the ability to fly the aircraft in the real world. I’m simply saying that through repetitive use/practice AND the appropriate real world training/instructor program, one could go from FSX to a real world pilot. The same could be said with experience on the VATSIM network (VATSIM is the virtual air traffic ATC for the flight simulation hobby). Because VATSIM is mostly based on real-world procedures, a teenager who spends most of his teen years developing his skills controlling on VATSIM could (if they have the interest) take that experience into the real world and become an air traffic controller. I actually know several real life examples of this happening. Same with pilots…
So…back to Farming Simulator. Is it just a game? Or could it be more?
Again, with about 90 days of experience I would say it is both. Or perhaps allow me to rephrase and say it certainly could be both. Like with Flight Sim, if someone is using the application to simply fly around and not caring about process and procedures, then probably to them it is just a game. However, to someone who properly flies the aircraft, who follows the correct procedures and can safely navigate from point A to point B and safely land…then they probably consider it a simulator or simulation.
Now in all honesty, Farming Simulator (and the equipment available to use) is somewhat lacking with respect to allowing better simulation and immersion. Comparing it once again to FSX or P3D (and especially with regards to some payware aircraft), FS2015 is truly lacking. In FS2015 there really is no negative impact to how one drives a tractor versus flying the A2A Cessna (as an example). There also really is no negative impact with weather and one can drive all over their planted crops and no damage will be caused to either the crop or the equipment.
But….could someone like myself (a middle-aged, IT Professional) spend time with FS2015 then go out and purchase some land, purchase some equipment and become a farmer? I’d say absolutely yes. But I remind you of my background which I shared in my first posting. While today I’m a middle-aged IT Professional, in my past I spent four years in high school gaining agriculture experience through the FFA program. I raised livestock. I’ve driven tractors and I also once held a class A commercial drivers license (CDL) in the Great State of Texas. But I realize I’m the exception to the rule. But I do believe some value could be gained and applied from FS2015 to the real world. So yes…Farming Simulator 2015 can very much be considered a simulation and that is how I refer to it.
Regardless of how you view Farming Simulator 2015 (Game or Simulation), it is wonderful fun and I enjoy it very much. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll go harvest some wheat and feed the cows.
Until next time…
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
June 1, 2015 / admin / 0 Comments
Another Farming Simulator 2015 game tip. This post is primarily geared to those playing either the default maps (Bjornholm or Westbridge Hills) or any other map where the soil mod hasn’t been incorporated. For me personally, I have yet to experiment with the soil mod, but it is something I’m interested in when the right map comes along.
Just like in real life conditions, our virtual farm fields need extra nutrients to grow crops. For those starting out in the game you have a few different options to consider. All fertilizing options do the exact same thing with regards to crop yield and there is no benefit to using more than one method on the same field. In other words, using two or more different types of fertilizer will not further increase the crop yield. But simply applying one fertilizer option will double your crop yield versus not using fertilizer at all. Bottom line…fertilizing is a MUST down on the farm!
Before we get started breaking down the different types of fertilizer and the equipment needed for the job, allow me to briefly explain what crops can be fertilized. This will be easy and is best said that all crops with exception to grass can be fertilized to increase their yield. If you are going to plant a field (or already have a field planted) in grass, no fertilizer type will aid in the growth or yield produced. This is unfortunate, but it just just how Giants developed the game. So fertilize everything else (wheat, barley, canola, corn etc. etc.) but don’t waste your time, money and fuel to place fertilizer (any type) on grass as it will not make any difference.
Finally, let’s briefly discuss when to fertilize. Which ever type of fertilizer you decide to use (see below) the time to fertilize will more or less be the same. Applying fertilizer can be done either before sowing or anytime after sowing up to the final growth stage. I typically apply fertilizer immediately after sowing/planting. You’ll easily be able to tell where you’ve applied fertilizer as the soil will be slightly darker in appearance.
Types of Fertilizer
For the default maps (again Bjornholm and Westbridge) you basically have three options to choose from regarding the types of fertilizer you have available to use. These are granular or powder type fertilizer, liquid fertilizer and finally manure. You know….the byproduct from the cows. However, in the very initial stages of game play….we really must rule out the option of using manure. Manure (both solid and liquid) most certainly can be used as fertilizer and the cost for the fertilizer itself will be free….but again in the early stages of game play you simply will not have enough available to do the job. In addition, as I’ve described in a recent blog post regarding “Compost…Another Lucrative Business” you may be better off selling both the liquid manure and solid manure versus using it as fertilizer.
Granular Fertilizer
Of the three fertilizer types, the white granular fertilizer is the easiest to apply to your fields. The Amazone ZA-M 1501 with a 3,000 liter capacity is generally supplied as starting equipment on the default maps of Bjornholm and Westbridge Hills. This spreader can be mounted to any three point hitch and has a wide coverage of 26,0m. As you accumulate more wealth, the pull-behind Amazone ZG-B 8200 model should most certainly be considered as the capacity more than doubles to 8,200 liters.
Liquid Fertilizer
Just a reminder, this blog posting is geared to those playing the default maps or any other map where the soil mod hasn’t been applied. The soil mod does change how fertilizer and other soil treatments are applied for optimum results. For the purpose of this blog article, we are strictly discussing maps where the soil mod is not in place.
The process for applying liquid fertilizer is much the same as the granular type. However, different equipment is used. In the default “in-game” store you’ll find the Amazone UF 1801 sprayer. This sprayer is designed to mount on the rear of the tractor. An additional storage take can be purchased which mounts to the front of the tractor. The main rear mounted sprayer when unfolded has a working width of 24,0m. This can become a challenge on maps with smaller fields or those with fences, gates and trees near by. Again, there is no advantage to using liquid over granular. They both provide the same yield when applied to the field.
Manure
As previously stated, the use of manure for fertilizing purposes in the early stages of farming really isn’t an option. First, the cost of the equipment is considerably more expensive than the spreader or sprayers. Second, the amount required to cover even a small field will be more than what can be made from a few head of dairy cows. Unfortunately, of the three default livestock (chickens, dairy cows and sheep) only the dairy cows produce manure. But as you grow your farming empire and add more and more dairy cows…the manure will start to pile up (literally) and can most certainly be used as fertilizer.
Manure is essentially broken down into two types. Solid manure and liquid manure or slurry. Both types (along with granular and liquid fertilizer) when applied by itself will double the crop yield. Remember, the best we can do is double the yield. Applying all available fertilizer types is only wasting time, fuel and money and will not increase the yield beyond double.
The in-game equipment for both solid manure and liquid slurry will work well in applying to the field. The cost of the equipment is in proportion of the capacity. In the case of slurry, a large 55,000 liter capacity storage trailer can be used to store slurry near the field to decrease the travel time to refill.
Just as a reminder, consider reading the blog article I wrote a few weeks ago titled “Compost – Another Lucrative Business”. This may get you thinking about better ways of using manure and slurry to increase your income versus using it for fertilizer.
In closing, regardless if you are just starting out or have been farming in your virtual world for some time, there really is no excuse not to fertilize. I hope this article has provided you the information you need to make the decisions on what type of fertilizer to use and the equipment required to perform the job. “Down on Jerry’s Farm” I use the white granular fertilizer and own both the three point hitch mounted spreader and the pull-behind model.
Until next time…
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
May 30, 2015 / admin / 0 Comments
Happy Saturday Everyone…Just a quick and out of cycle blog posting for your reading enjoyment.
I absolutely fell in love with Ringwoods Farm map I’m currently playing. I’ve spent hours and hours and even more hours playing this wonderful map. While I’m looking at the possibility of starting another map soon (perhaps States V6 if I can figure out the whole soil mod thing) but I absolutely can’t wait for the release of Black Rock Valley. Black Rock Valley is currently in development and is being created by the same individual who created Ringwoods. Yes I’m talking about the very talented and extremely busy Stevie.
I’ve had the fortunate pleasure to get to know Stevie through both this blog and his new Facebook page where he posts almost daily status updates on the new map. I’ve also downloaded and incorporated many of his mods into my farming empire. Everything I’ve downloaded, installed and used just simply works. No fuss, No mess and NO ERRORS! This guy is truly an asset to our Farming Simulator Community. As a matter of fact, when I’m in the need of a modded piece of equipment, I first check Stevie’s extensive collection of mods hosted on the Modhub websitebefore I look anywhere else. They are just that good!
Again, I’m really excited about his new Black Rock Valley. I invite you to follow along with his development process via his Facebook page. At the present date/time he’s been working on the new map for about 12-15 days. He’s really made much progress, but I also know he has many, many more hours to go before he’s ready to release it. Just enjoy the almost daily progress postings on his Facebook page and get ready to have some farming fun once Black Rock Valley is ready for prime time.
Until next time…
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
May 29, 2015 / admin / 0 Comments
In the initial stages of building your farming empire, grass will be a key element. Most maps provide an almost endless supply and you’ll need to quickly get started mowing in order to provide feed to sheep and dairy cows. In addition, you may want to cut grass to kick start your silage making process. Finally, cut grass does have value and a loading wagon full will bring you some quick cash for a little bit of effort. But after some time you might want to consider corn as the better silage producing solution especially if you plan to keep a large population of livestock on the farm.
But regardless, mowing grass will always be a task you’ll need to routinely do if you plan to raise livestock. Your sheep population will work at 110% with grass and water. But your dairy cattle will need a little more than just grass and water to get them up to 110% production. Actually…a lot more! You’ll need the important TMR or total mixed ration. In terms of Farming Simulator 2015, TMR is a mix of hay, straw and silage. You can use the “in game” mixing wagons to load your hay and straw bales along with silage. From what I’ve read in the forums, the mixture is typically one bale of hay, one bale of straw and four buckets of silage.
If you are playing on the Ringwoods Farm map (like I am) or have installed one of the placeable mixing station mods, then all you really need to do is fill the mixing station and it will mix and portion the correct blend of materials to make TMR. The mixing station which is pre-installed on the Ringwoods Farm map (there are two) will hold 50,000 liters of hay, straw and silage. A full station easily supports my 75 dairy cows and 25 calves with much to spare.
As I use these mixing stations to support my growing livestock population, I do not need to bale hay or straw. I typically will pickup the straw from my wheat and barley harvests and store that material in my large shed. In addition, I grow most of my corn for chaff production and will send a portion to the BGA bunker and the other half to my south farm bunker to ferment into silage. But of course I still need a steady supply of hay for TMR.
As I said at the top of the blog posting, there is an almost endless supply of grass on most maps. Most fields will have fairly large borders of grass and mowing the grass areas along side the roads is also a great idea. I routinely drive a tractor with a front mounted mower pulling the small Euroboss pickup wagon. However, I also have a small field planted in grass. This field is located near my cow farm and on average will yield about 60,000 liters of grass or hay.
Using the windrower to gather up the grass for easy pickup.
Now what I’m going to tell you next was learned somewhat by accident. I had been mowing this field every day in order to build up a stockpile of hay. I would cut the grass, tedder the grass to turn it into hay, rake the hay into windrows with the windrower and then finally collect it with my large loading wagon. But one day after I mowed, I got distracted with harvesting cotton and sunflower and failed to finish the rest of the steps. Once I completed the rest of the tasks on the farm it was getting near dark so I bumped up the time to fast forward to the next day. As the sun was rising on my brand new day I set out to complete my usual tasks. Low and behold, I realized I had left cut grass on field 10 and new grass had of course grown. Of course, this is what would happen in real life.
The large 50,000 liter loading wagon makes quick work in picking up grass, hay or straw.
I climbed into my tractor and mowed field 10, I then ran the tedder over it, raked it and picked up the hay. I was pleasantly surprised to learn the yield had almost doubled from 60,000 on a single cut to 99,356 liters with the double cut. Considering it takes the same amount of time to tedder and rake the field regardless if it’s been cut once or twice and only slightly longer (due to more trips to dump the grass/hay) this seems to be an easy way to almost double the yield.
Dumping grass to add to my growing stockpile of grass/hay, straw and silage.
I haven’t tested if I cut the grass each day for three days, four days or five days if the yield will continue to increase. But if I don’t have time to cut, rake and gather one day…I do typically mow and then will mow again the next day and complete the process. This of course would likely NOT be the process in real life. But then again this is just our virtual farming world and what ever we decide to make of it.
I hope you enjoy this tip and I hope it helps you. Thanks for reading!
Until next time…
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
P.S. I did conduct another test where I mowed field 10 for five consecutive days (around the same time each day) then I ran the tedder over it, raked it and picked up the hay. The result of this test was only 100,156 liters of hay which is only slightly more than the two day test I had conducted last week. So unfortunately instead of getting five times the yield, I still only received two times the yield. This end result probably best illustrates actual real-life results where the cut grass would eventually impede the growth of new grass. Bottom line: You can certainly cut the grass the first day then cut the second day again (or second growth cycle) then tedder, rake and pickup and receive the extra yield for slightly less work. But any more than twice is just wasted effort on the part of mowing. You won’t get any benefit from it.
May 26, 2015 / admin / 0 Comments
In addition to all the new fruit types available on the Ringwoods map, the ability to create compost and sell it can add up the virtual dollars, pounds, euros etc. in the old bank account. A few blog postings ago, I shared “How to get rich quick” using the Ringwoods map. The beauty of the Ringwoods map is at the very beginning you have just under 1 million dollars in equipment available to you. As I pointed out in the blog article, all this equipment is in the “free and clear”. You can sell it to generate some quick cash to then re-invest in different equipment. Go read the “How to get rich quick” using the Ringwoods map for all the details.
Once you find yourself with a few dairy cows and you’ve invested the effort in stockpiling all you need to sustain them for a while, their byproduct (along with a few other things) can all be hauled up to the CMC Composting Plant to be turned into compost. Once the compost is ready (the machine does all the work) you then just backup your tipper and haul it to the sell point (located behind the Garden Center). Unlike the Chaff –> Silage –> to $$$ process which requires you to move the silage from the BGA bunkers to the silage receptor, the compost process is much less complicated. Also, unlike the previously mentioned BGA process, all you really need to complete the task is a tractor and tipper. I’d recommend picking up the Kroeger Trailer Pack. This trailer pack mod was created by Stevie (developer of the Ringwoods map). These trailers will haul anything and everything you’ll need to start your compost business. Also, while you are grabbing trailer mods. Go ahead and pickup the Kotte Universal Pack (by Farmer Andy) These tankers will carry any liquid (water, fertilizer, fuel, liquid manure) around your farm. More about the tankers in just a minute.
Again, once you are a little more established with your farming empire and have several dairy cows (beefs, pigs and fattening chickens help as well) they will start to produce both solid manure and liquid manure. Now I realize that both can also be used as fertilizer. However, as the game doesn’t really care what type of fertilizer is used on the fields and manure (both types) require a very large amount to cover even the smallest of fields, I simply prefer to use the other fertilizer methods. Again, you can (and should) harvest the solid manure from all your animals and haul it to the CMC Composting Plant. I tend to do this once I have accumulated a trailer full (45,000).
Dumping a load of solid manure at the CMC Compost Plant.
The manure is moved into the large mixing station to be further processed into compost.
A fully automated process. Just dump and go.
Next, as I have time I use my large 50,000 liter loading wagon to pickup the straw from my wheat and barley harvests and I stockpile a few hundred thousand liters in my silo. So for every trailer full of solid manure, I also transport a full wagon of straw to the CMC Compost Plant. However, the CMC Compost Plant will accept potato, sugarbeet, chaff, silage, grass, straw, woodchips and manure. While I haven’t calculated it all out, I’m guessing for my operations….everything but manure is much more valuable to sell or use than turning into compost.
As I previously stated, the CMC Composting Plant is much more of a friendly process than the BGA. The Ringwoods Compost plant has a backup ramp to tip/offload both the straw and solid manure and on the other side you simply pull your tipper under and the newly created compost will pour right into the trailer.
Once the mixture is turned into compost, just pull up and the plant will offload into your tipper.
A full load of compost being delivered to the sell point located directly behind the Garden Center.
Normally speaking, compost may not make you a millionaire all by itself. However, considering the process as I’ve described in using manure and straw where the only cost to you is gathering it and transporting it to the CMC Compost Plant, the average value is around $516 per ton. But if you time it right, you may catch a high demand scenario where it could be worth a lot more. Recently the Garden Center was paying 1.6 times during a 24 hour high demand situation. This meant for every 45,000 liter load I moved from the CMC Compost Plant to the Garden Center I earned about $23,000 per load. Not a bad payout considering.
Finally, if you are playing the Ringwoods Farm map don’t forget you have a manure selling point located at the BGA Plant. This is where I haul my liquid manure using the Kotte Universal Packtanker trailers. These really nice tankers will transport a variety of liquid types including fuel, water, fertilizer and of course liquid manure. I don’t exactly recall just how much a tanker full of liquid manure will net you. But again…considering all you need to do is pump it from your storage facility to the sell point. The money is too easy to turn down. Every penny counts in your farming empire.
I hope this information helps you and you’ll return again soon.
Until next time…
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
May 22, 2015 / admin / 0 Comments
I’ve been computer farming with Farming Simulator 2015 for a few months now. During all this time I’ve only ever grown and harvested the default plant types of wheat, barley, canola, corn (both for selling in the shops and for silage production) along with potatoes and sugar beets. I recently began farming on the brand new Ringwoods Final v1.8 map created by the very talented Stevie. I had spent almost a month on his v1.7 but that map still only allowed the default type grains and fruits. This new Ringwoods v1.8 includes sunflower, soybean, oats, sorghum and cotton. Check out the latest update with version 1.81 available here.
Starting over with a cash injection to cover purchasing new equipment and all the fields I owned in v1.7, I began planting my crops on the new v1.8 map. I started with the basics of wheat, barley and canola. I then planted the field closest to the BGA with corn. I planned to split the harvest between the BGA bunkers and the bunker at the south farm location. This would allow me to get a jump on silage production for my dairy cattle. Of course I also needed some of the straw from the first harvest of either wheat or barley. Going into multi-task mode, I also managed to mow, tedder, rake and collect the loose hay again with the goal of jump starting my total mixed rations (TMR) production. Once the first crops were ready to harvest I was up early to make a good start in getting it all done. The hard work paid off, the dairy cattle are performing at 110%.
Next I set out to do some experimentation with the new fruit types I have the ability to plant and grow on this new map. I planted a small field in cotton and sunflower to start off with. I’m really looking forward to harvesting the cotton. In real life I drive from Colorado to Texas to visit family. Cotton is grown in much of the panhandle and far northwest Texas region. Generally on both sides of the road and as far as one can see are cotton plants. Depending on the time of year we visit, you can also see the large bales of cotton sitting around. In addition, the area is covered in loose pieces of cotton. It’s all very cool to see.
Harvesting the new cotton crop with the New Holland CR10.90
I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to go about harvesting the new fields I planted in cotton and sunflower. But I quickly found out all I needed was my trusty New Holland Combine and the 9m header I use for corn. This header will also work for sorghum and soybeans. Of course, the oats will be done with the same header I use for the grains (wheat, barley, canola). Having the ability to harvest all these new fruits is keeping me busy and I’m enjoying the variety. I’ve dedicated the jumbo sized fields of 8 to wheat, 15 to canola and 16/17 to barley. I’m then growing the new fruit types of cotton, sorghum, sunflower, soybean and oats on the smaller fields throughout the map.
Early morning sunrise down on Jerry’s Farm. This field of sunflowers will be ready to harvest soon.
If you are interested in growing something other than wheat, barley, canola etc. Check out the Ringwoods Farm map and try your hand at these new opportunities.
Until next time…
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
May 20, 2015 / admin / 0 Comments
The new blog is starting to become a hit. The daily visitor stats are increasing and I would like to thank all who have shared links. This isn’t a fancy blog site, but Farming Simulator blog sites (especially in English) seem to be rare. While a lot of folks are creating wonderful content on YouTube and Twitch, sometimes the written form is often appreciated. For that, I’m happy to continue to write and share here. Please continue to tell your farming friends.
Stevie has once again released an update to his awesome Ringwoods map. This is the map I’ve been playing for several weeks now. The latest version is 1.81. Stevie states this will be the final update to the Ringwoods map. Version 1.8 was released just a few days ago and is the current version I’m playing. 1.81 includes some minor changes and fixes which don’t impact my game play, so for now I’m going to continue farming on Ringwoods 1.8.
Regardless if you are just starting out or have been virtual farming for years…if you want a full-featured map, check out Ringwoods. In addition, I’ve come to know Stevie through exchanging comments back and forth regarding Ringwoods. Stevie is a wonderful modder and truly an asset to our virtual farming community. If you are looking for high quality and error free mods, you may check out the full list of mods Stevie has posted on ModHub. I picked up a few new ones myself.
Don’t forget, check out this blog article if you are interested in using Ringwoods to help you “Get Rich Quick”. Just this morning I harvested another load of chaff for the BGA bunker. Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching….
Until next time…
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
P.S. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter.
May 18, 2015 / admin / 0 Comments
Well…I guess nothing new is really coming for any of us who have been playing Farming Simulator 2015 on PC and Mac. But if you have been waiting for the console version of FS2015, your wait is almost over. Yes…the wonderful world of Farming Simulator 2015 will release on PS4, PS3, XBOX One and XBOX 360 on 19 May. While I don’t own any of these console platforms, I won’t be able to experience game play but I assume it will all be the same as what we experience on PC and Mac. Although I’ve heard the ability to add mods may not be available for the console versions. If this is true, then this is truly bad news for console players. The ability to install mods (or modifications) is truly cool. While the default game is certainly fun. The ability to load different maps, equipment and utilities such as Courseplay takes Farming Simulator 2015 to a completely different level of play. Of course, mods do from time to time cause issue with the functionality and stability of the game. This may be part of the reason mods may not be allowed initially. From what I understand the console platforms require Sony and Microsoft to approve any mods or DLC made available and again this might be part of the reason mods won’t be readily available at time of launch. In my opinion it is for these types of reasons that game play on a PC is far superior to that of the consoles. But that is another discussion for another time…
Anyway….I’m sure the launch of the console versions will also mean we may be even closer to the official release of the 1.3 patch. The patch is currently in public beta, but I’ve steered clear of it. However, I’m certainly hopeful the 1.3 patch addresses many things. The biggest issue I’ve found is just with drive dynamics. While it’s been a while since I’ve driven a tractor in real life across a field, I don’t recall the drive dynamics being anything like they are in the game version.
I certainly hope everyone had a fantastic weekend with your virtual farms. I have more blog postings coming over the next few days. Thanks for reading!
Until next time…
Happy Farming!!!
Jerry
