Foreign paper criticized "Simulation Farm" series: A harmful view of farmers' occupations

2025-07-10 20:16:32|Myriagame |source：minecraft skins

Scholars’ interpretation of video games can sometimes be novel because the principles and goals they adhere to when they come into contact with this medium are very different from most players and critics.A recent paper published in Journal of Rural Studies explores a game that is itself a phenomenal: Simulation Farm, specifically Simulation Farm 22.

In the article "Farm Video Games and "Quality Agriculture", authors from the University of Gothenburg, Simon Fullero and Thomas Dom, outline their point: "Simulation Farm 22" fuels a generally harmful view of farmers' careers - that is, by using as many large machinery and high-end fertilizers as possible, planting as many crops as possible on as many land as possible, to meet the food and clothing needs of as many people as possible at the lowest possible cost.

"The gameplay ignores environmental feedback loops such as soil health and biodiversity," the author said.

They call this concept an image of a "quality farmer" from the perspective of "productionism" and point out that this is contrary to the evolution of agriculture toward a sustainable model.Sustainable agricultural models respect the environment and aim to keep land producing food continuously, rather than depleting resources in ways that harm society and the environment.(A series of complex arguments have been greatly simplified here.)

The author spent a lot of writing to argue one point: video games (especially "Simulation Farm") have become a key medium to help people understand "how things should work."This is not too surprising to us game lovers – we have even seen Simulation Farm mention as having an impact on agricultural equipment advertising.Therefore, the author hopes that by allowing games like "Simulation Farm" to show the better concept of "quality farmers", mainstream groups related to agriculture can understand that sustainable development is preferable than a farm model that blindly pursues maximization of yields.

Perhaps what interested us the authors’ special attention to game MODs—they pointed out that although Simulation Farm itself does not really accept alternative farming models, its MOD has tried in this regard, “such as adjusting game mechanics such as crop rotation, protective farming and weather modes.”

They also specifically mentioned a highly acclaimed MOD, "Precision Farming," developed by Giants, in conjunction with John Deere and EIT Food, a European Food Innovation Initiative.It introduces some sustainable farming principles and provides players’ farms with an overall environmental sustainability score, but as the authors point out, this is still entirely limited to considering how much money you can make, how much money you can save or how much you spend.Nevertheless, its supplement to authenticity and scientific considerations is practical enough to even launch a 3.0 version for the latest version of "Simulation Farm".

As for the Simulation Farm series itself, Simulation Farm 25 achieved quite awesome sales when it was released last year – which undoubtedly cemented the series’ status as an object to academic attention, research and criticism.

• 

  "Marvel Blade" has entered t

• 

  In order to get the game to

• 

  "Soul of Sheep Hoof Mountain

• 

  Introduction to the three ne

• 

  "Need for Speed 18" will be

• 

  From working girls to inters