With around 82 million players worldwide, odds are at some point youâre going to be playing the hit Facebook game, FarmVille. Kotaku went directly to Zyngaâs FarmVille team for tips and tricks on harvesting your way to the top.
While Iâve merely dabbled in FarmVille myself, being more of a Petville man, itâs hard to ignore a game thatâs played by more than one percent of the worldâs population. Love it or hate it, Farmville has spread like crop disease throughout the Facebook community. Itâs a wonder thereâs no FarmVille: The Movie yet.
But rather than raging against my fear, Iâve decided to embrace it, and game developer Zynga has generously offered to help, by sharing with us FarmVille strategy tips on how to make the most of your land, your crops, and your livestock.
Check out the gallery below for Zyngaâs FarmVille advice, along with my own color commentary in italics. Feel free to click here if you donât want to do the whole gallery thing.
Make The Most Of Whatâs Around
Utilize the space on your farm efficiently by keeping your plots organized. This will increase your Experience and profit.
My brother is dangerously well-organized. Weâre like Goofus and Gallant.
Covet Thy Neighborsâ Gifts
Instead of purchasing animals and trees from the Marketplace, add some Neighbors! Neighbors can send these items as Gifts to you, for free! Donât forget to return the favor by sending one back to them. Remember, what goes around, comes around!
And then Fahey shared a portion of his Facebook friends list with potential stalkers. Good call.
Take Advantage Of Your Animals
Animals are more than just cute! When your animalsâ counter reaches 100% you can collect milk, eggs, wool, and other items that you can sell for coins!
My cats never give me milk, eggs, or wool. Hmph.
Hereâs Why You Build Them UpâŠButtercup
Buildings not only look great on your farm but constructing them can provide you with a hefty amount of Experience. Horse Stables, Dairy Barns and Chicken Coops can also be used to store your animals. If youâre lucky, you might even receive a Foal or Calf when collecting from your Horse Stable or Dairy Barn.
The more I read, the more pathetic my farm looks. Buildings?
Expand Your Horizons
Feeling cramped? If you need more room to grow, expand your farm! Additional land can be purchased from the Marketplace for Coins or Farm Cash. Remember, in order to expand your land for Coins, you must have enough neighbors! Check out the Marketplace to review how many Neighbors you need to gain additional land.
I have one neighbor. Whatâll that get me?
Pimp Your Farm With Your Rides
Vehicles can be purchased from the Marketplace to assist with your farming needs. FarmVille features a Hot Rod Tractor, Harvester and Seeder that can be used to plow, plant and harvest your farm in no time!
Everyone needs a Hot Rod Tractor.
Become A Tree Hugger
When your treesâ counter reaches 100%, you can collect various types of fruit that can be sold for coins! Fruit does not rot, so no need to worry about them withering.
Yes, my farm is a pathetic fallacy, but I have a tree!
Achievement Unlocked
FarmVille features numerous Achievements that can be obtained by completing various tasks within the game. In addition to a Ribbon to show off to your friends, you can also gain Experience points, Decorations for your farm and Coins!
If they linked these to Gamerscore, you all would play, and you know it.
Time Your Harvest Well
FarmVille features crops that are ready to harvest at varying times. Make sure to plant crops that ripen when you are available. Doing so will ensure that your crops are less likely to wither.
Look at me, plowing the land like an old farm pro!
Neighborhood Watch
Assisting neighbors with daily chores and fertilizing their crops will provide you with valuable Experience points and Coins. Fertilized crops will reward additional Experience points when harvested, so donât let them wither.
I donât know about you, but I get by with a little help from my friends. Just sayinâ.
Donât Keep Your Comments To Yourself
Want to talk to your neighbors? Leave them a comment! The new Comment Box can be used to send messages to, and receive messages from your friends. You can also easily keep track of who has visited your farm, fertilized your crops, fed your chickens and sent gifts sent to you by clicking the âvisitsâ tab in the Comment Box.
I wonder if heâll make the connection?
Save Your Coins
When starting FarmVille for the first time, make sure to save your coins. Plant and Plow in moderation for the first few levels. Gradually add more plots of land once you are more familiar with the game and its mechanics. If you add too many plots of land too soon, you may not have enough money to buy crops!
Or buy more coins! Thatâs the beauty of having money to burn. There was an economic crisis? When?
Take Shortcuts
FarmVille features various consumables that will make your daily chores a breeze. Use the âArboristâ and âFarm Handsâ items to harvest all of your trees and animals with a single click!
If all else fails, hire someone else to play the game for you.
