One Hardcore Gamer's View of FarmVille and Other Facebook Games
When I got a Facebook account I didn't expect the constant invites to play Facebook games. I played a few and found they had little depth and weren't entertaining. It seemed the games existed only to suck you in and get your friends to play too. As a gamer for over two decades, I'm left to wonder what all the fuss over the Farmville and other games like it are about.
Does FarmVille have a story?
What's the point, to build a farm? I know the point is to interact with your friends in a different way then just on their Facebook wall. You can have your friends feed your animals or water your crops. Is this really engaging? Does it feel the same way as beating a difficult boss in a multiplayer game on Xbox Live? No, it seems like the interaction is berating your friends to watch your farm and they spam you until the favor is returned. What's at stake in the game? A wilted crop instead of the fate of the free world, like in many other video games? I think I'll pass on the farm.
Does FarmVille require skill?
I know there are plenty of great video games without a deep story, like Tetris. The difference between Tetris and FarmVille is skill. It takes skill, practice, and patience to get a high score in games like Tetris. All that is required in FarmVille is playing again and again. You get ribbons and level up, but there's no reason why anyone else with time on their hands can't do the same. There can't be a feeling of accomplishment or knowing you completed a task your friends couldn't.
You can spend real money on virtual junk.
You can buy a virtual dog for your Xbox Live avatar and I'm against that too.The difference is the lack of a Xbox Live pet doesn't stop you from leveling up quickly in Modern Warfare. However in FarmVille, real money is required if you want special items for your farm. Real money lets you get a bigger farm faster. Doing repetitive tasks needed to level up for free takes too long. If you're going to spend money to bypass the work of the game, why play it?
As someone who grew up loving video games for their story and difficulty, it's hard to see FarmVille and other games like it as more then fads. A part of me thinks it's popular solely because of being convenient on Facebook. You're on there anyway, so why not play a game? Your friends send you requests, and as a good friend, you accept. It's like peer pressure. But, where is the challenge or that feeling of pride when you accomplish a task your friends couldn't? Why waste time on a "game" that truly has no skill needed?
Does FarmVille have a story?
What's the point, to build a farm? I know the point is to interact with your friends in a different way then just on their Facebook wall. You can have your friends feed your animals or water your crops. Is this really engaging? Does it feel the same way as beating a difficult boss in a multiplayer game on Xbox Live? No, it seems like the interaction is berating your friends to watch your farm and they spam you until the favor is returned. What's at stake in the game? A wilted crop instead of the fate of the free world, like in many other video games? I think I'll pass on the farm.
Does FarmVille require skill?
I know there are plenty of great video games without a deep story, like Tetris. The difference between Tetris and FarmVille is skill. It takes skill, practice, and patience to get a high score in games like Tetris. All that is required in FarmVille is playing again and again. You get ribbons and level up, but there's no reason why anyone else with time on their hands can't do the same. There can't be a feeling of accomplishment or knowing you completed a task your friends couldn't.
You can spend real money on virtual junk.
You can buy a virtual dog for your Xbox Live avatar and I'm against that too.The difference is the lack of a Xbox Live pet doesn't stop you from leveling up quickly in Modern Warfare. However in FarmVille, real money is required if you want special items for your farm. Real money lets you get a bigger farm faster. Doing repetitive tasks needed to level up for free takes too long. If you're going to spend money to bypass the work of the game, why play it?
As someone who grew up loving video games for their story and difficulty, it's hard to see FarmVille and other games like it as more then fads. A part of me thinks it's popular solely because of being convenient on Facebook. You're on there anyway, so why not play a game? Your friends send you requests, and as a good friend, you accept. It's like peer pressure. But, where is the challenge or that feeling of pride when you accomplish a task your friends couldn't? Why waste time on a "game" that truly has no skill needed?
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
Published by Jennifer Amlie - Featured Contributor in Technology
Jennifer has been playing video games since the NES was released. The Legend of Zelda is her favorite series. She also enjoys BioShock, Gears of War, Fallout, and countless others. When she's not gaming, she... View profile
FarmVille Ribbons CheatsFarmVille cheats for achieving all ribbons such as Zoologist, Green Thumb and Architect. FarmVille cheats for ribbons allow you to get free coins and experience points.- Best FarmVille Crop GuidesUse these two FarmVille crop guides and the FarmVille calculator to help you become the best farmer on FarmVille.
- Farmville Questions and Answers Found Here: Top 3 Farmville Queens Can Answer All...I am sure by now you all heard of the hot game on Facebook called Farmville, but do you know how to fertilize a neighbor/friends Farmvillle crop? All Farmville answers can be found here.
- How to Speed Up & Fix Farmville, Frontierville, Cafe World, Zynga Online GamesHow do I speed up Farmville or Frontierville? How do I fix full screen mode in Farmville or Frontierville? What browser do I use for Zynga Games? This article should be able to answer those questions and more!
- Zynga May Go Forward with IPO3 years old, $5.5 billion dollar value, 1,300 staff on board. Zynga has grown up and is ready to make it even more surreal.
- Best of Farmville Ribbon Cheats and Guides
- Is a FarmVille Cow Worth the Coins?
- FarmVille: What Are FarmVille Dairy Farms and What's Inside Farmville Mystery Boxes?
- Free Farmville Guide
- Facebook Fans Express Frustration
- FarmVille Farm Cash for Free
- Farmville's Sweet Seeds for Haiti Charity Event Underway
8 Comments
Post a CommentI think the problem is generated from the role big business plays in every industry it touches. it takes the quality out and redesigns it to be based on the profit models.
Excellent article! As a fellow gamer, I couldn't agree more with your assessment. To me, the term "game" is a misnomer here; there is no challenge, no story, no adventure and little entertainment value, so while it might be a hobby, it isn't a game.
Speaking of games, I think it's about time I stopped posting and got back to FUS-RO-DAH'ing some bandits into submission. :)
I say it survives *because* there is no story or skill required. hehe
I think it's a good game for those who want to create a pretty farm, but like all of these games, they suck you in, as well as your friends, since you can't do very well on yoru own, and they take a lot of your time daily. If you don't harvest your crops for example, they die, so the first priority on waking is to check Farmville, ditto when getting home from work and before going to bed. I quit last week! Great article! I wrote one a few months back about the addiction factor of Evony, which also sucks the time out of your life.
good write up on this
I am not a gamer, so I will pass this article link along to my niece and nephew who are FARMVILLE FANATICS! cheers :)
Harsh words, Miss Jennifer! :p I must say, I was playing Country Story on FB the other day and I saw a cute little elephant that waters crops for you. The catch? You have to use real money to buy it bananas or it won't work! I was MAD! *lol* I dont play Farmville but I see the appeal. It doesn't have to require enormous skill to be fun :p I do think that Zynga leaving FB may be a problem though - I dont know that I would follow a game like that away from FB. Probably. :p Great work! :D
I don't understand the fascination with FarmVille...at least from what I know of it.