Scholars Evaluate Farming Simulator's Concept of 'Good Farming' and Acknowledge Modding Efforts for Agro-Ecological Improvements
Academics argue that Farming Simulator impacts perceptions of agriculture, with significant praise for modders who add sustainable features.
It’s often intriguing to observe how academics perceive video games, approaching the subject with principles distinct from those of gamers and critics. Recently, a paper in the Journal of Rural Studies examined Farming Simulator, particularly its latest version, Farming Simulator 22.
In the study titled “Agricultural Videogames and ‘Good Farming,’” authors Simon Foureaux and Thomas Daum from the University of Gothenburg discuss how they believe this game promotes a damaging view of the farming profession. They cite that it encourages growing the most crops on the largest lands with the latest machinery and fertilizers, all aimed at providing food, clothing, and care for the lowest cost.
“The gameplay overlooks the vital feedback loops of environmental health, like soil quality and biodiversity,” the authors state.
This reflects a traditional productivity-centric perspective of farming, contrasting with evolving sustainable practices that aim to preserve environmental integrity and ensure food security in the long term, instead of depleting the land.
The authors argue that video games, particularly Farming Simulator, serve as influential mediums for shaping perceptions of agricultural practices. They express hopes that by presenting improved ideas of what constitutes a “good farmer,” games can promote sustainable agricultural methods over exploitative practices.
Furthermore, they emphasize the value of mods in the game, which enhance gameplay by incorporating concepts like crop rotation and Conservation Agriculture. A notable mod, Precision Farming, developed with John Deere and EIT Food, introduces some sustainable agriculture principles, providing an environmental sustainability score for farms while still operating within profitability bounds. This mod’s realism and focus on ecological issues contribute to its continued updates and relevance.
The full paper can be accessed here. With the release of Farming Simulator 25, which set impressive player records shortly after launch, the series remains a significant topic for both academic scrutiny and consumer interest.
