The Big Farm Theory Overview

The Big Farm Theory is a new game on Facebook. It went live on October 17, 20ll. Two weeks later, the sidebar claims 10,000 active monthly users. There are over two hundred reviews*; most give the game 5 Stars and declare "I love this game." Reasons the players love the game is due to graphics, smooth animation, quick loading and fast transfer from player's farm to visit their neighbors. Application's Information page gives a description: New vision of farming for smart people! That information does not tell a potential player much about the game. It also leaves out an important piece of information: Who are the developers?

Developer's name, RedSpell, can be located at the game using link to view Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Users of the game agree to abide by the laws of The People's Republic of China. Any dispute between game user and RedSpell will be "...decided exclusively by a court of competent jurisdiction located in Haidian District, Beijing."

Players choose an avatar from among four choices of characters, two male and two female. There is a third character shaded gray with a question mark over the male or female icon. Scrolling over that icon the words "Available after the wedding" appear. A fourth character has a padlock on it.

Avatars uses energy to perform tasks. One unit of energy is generated every three minutes. A player who is out of energy can buy it with game chocolates. Players earn extra chocolates, called food, while performing tasks, and when collecting the Dwelling home bonus. Currently there is only one Dwelling home available; a cute, if small, two story home complete with rotating satellite roof dish and solar energy panels. One of the players' tasks is to construct buildings. Constructing requires various materials, mainly wood. The wood is obtained when clearing the land by chopping down trees. Breaking up rocks also provides materials.

As players advance levels, different seeds and animals unlock for use. Seeds mature into plants in as little as five minutes; most take one or more hours to mature at which time they can be harvested and sold. They all wilt if not picked within 24 hours. The animals need to be feed at certain intervals, when mature they can be sold to earn more game dollars. The animals do not die if left unfed.

The Big Farm Theory provides missions. When a mission is complete players are rewarded when with game cash, chocolates, materials, seeds or energy. An early mission is to build a lab; then do research. When the first research, Strawberry Volcano seed, is complete, player uses lab to create Strawberry Volcano seeds. A player will need to plant and harvest the new seed, because the plant will be required to research glue. This may sound complicated; it is not.

In addition to a Strawberry Volcano plant, glue requires resin and roots to create it. A player will need ten glue to continue research studies. Complaints on the application's Discussion page* had to do with how few roots are available while harvesting plants. Extra roots are available as a greenhouse bonus. But first player needs to get glass as a gift from neighbors to complete construction of the greenhouse.

Another thing that uses is energy is scaring away wolves that randomly appear while feeling trees. Players use a slingshot to do that. Soon a Yeti appears which requires several shots from the sling to scare it. A beegun will scare the Yeti away with one blast. The beegun is available for game gold. As a player advances they will be able to manufacture beeguns in their lab.

The Big Farm Theory asks: "Which one are you?" Beneath the phrase is an art picture of Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and Leonardo Da Vinci. The game does take a bit of goal setting savvy to advance on research levels and there is more to the game than described here.The smart ones may be the developers who created a game where users research and create hybrid seeds and animals. If you are up to a challenging game rather than cookie cutter Facebook games, The Big Farm theory may be right for you.
*Facebook has changed application page formats. The Review and Discussion pages are no long available.
The Big Farm Theroy Facebook page