FarmVille for DISers

[DVCsince02]

This is a loaded question, to say the least, but I figure I'll answer. Those of you who know me on Facebook have probably seen my opinions in some form or another in my posts or comments, but I can offer a bit more elaboration here.

I think, first and foremost, that the game is a lot of fun. A lot of different ways to play, and there's something in it for everyone. I left for a long while, and recently came back to the game (in a somewhat more limited fashion) because I do think it's that interesting. I don't actively play right now, just occasionally, and mostly for the sake of exchanging items with friends, seeing how others' farms are doing, things like that. I like the interactive and friendly aspect of the game, for sure.

Tim, I was when I saw you starting to play again after you left for such a long time.

That said, here are some of the things I don't like so much.

* The company that produces the game, Zynga, engaged or even currently engages in some borderline shady practices to make money. If you've played the game you know that many elements of it require "farm$", which are only provided in-game in very limited fashion. Obtaining more requires completing special offers (which in themselves involve installation of spyware, signing up for mailing lists, or other similar deceptive and annoying things) or paying actual money. Not sure how many people here have actually paid cash, but even just doing that a few times can rack up a considerable cost. I would never do so, nor recommend it, but as addicting as the game is, some people might be willing to do so. I don't have the link handy at the moment, but there was a great video interview with the CEO of Zynga where he talked about the spyware, etc, basically laughed it off, and was pretty arrogant about it. Left a bad taste in my mouth.

Yes, many decorations and some animals require FarmCash, which you can get for free each time you level up or in a mystery box. The "special offers" were removed for a very long time after they had complaints. I've done a few of them and have had no issues. I chose ones that worked for me. Haven't cost me a penny and didn't have to download anything for it.

* The game directly/indirectly generates way too many notifications in the facebook news feed. Right now, I say that I play in a somewhat limited fashion. As part of that, I still have the app notification hidden. When I view a news feed and 50+% of the posts are about farmville, it was just too much. I'm perfectly happy for those who want that level of interactivity and involvement, but I'm just as happy that I can turn it off, too.

I agree there are too many notifications with this game, but I have had a lot of fun sharing items needed for collections, valentines, christmas, etc. Luckily the ability to hide these is simple.

* It's just a game. I think some people take it a little too seriously. Not pointing a finger at anyone in particular, or necessarily even anyone in this group, but I've definitely noticed it. "If this group gets 100,000 people then we'll all get ___" or "sign this petition because we want free farm$ for doing ___". In recent times, some of these things have been real, from what I hear, but for a while they were hoaxes and/or complete time wasters, and I'm sure some still are. Either way, though, the fact that I see people going to such lengths over what is, at the end of the day, just a game, seemed a bit much.

I find it terribly frustrating when I see my friends join those scam groups. You get nothing in return, and you've allowed them access to your profile. I hope they delete them.

* I'd rather spend the time on facebook interacting with people in other ways. Similar to the qualm about notifications, but in a different way, and kind of just empirical. One of the things I've loved about Facebook, and especially friending DISers, is hearing about the seemingly mundane updates, seeing pics, and feeling like I'm getting to know some of my fellow Disney fans (dare I even say, friends) a little better. Again, this is purely empirical and possibly speculative, but I have noticed that as some individuals have become very active with farmville updates, I don't see much in the way of "classical" social networking from some of these same folks. Again, not necessarily thinking any specific person, more just a general observation.

* Lastly, and most importantly, I think Farmville qualifies as an addiciton. Maybe not in the strict clinical sense (though Dr Phil did discuss it in an episode, for whatever that's worth), but no different than the colloquial television or video game addiction that is sometimes cited as an issue in whomever. To the PP who mentioned "I can't read I have to plow", I commend you for having the presence of mind to notice so easily that it was an issue at that point. While I don't think it's necessarily too frequent for people to be sucked into the game to that extent, it's certainly not unheard of either. Even in this thread, a few tongue-in-cheek comments have been made about "my husband asks when we can go because I'm busy farming" or "I don't know what I'm going to do when I go away for two weeks", etc. The comments themselves are presumably in jest, of course, but they are only funny because there is indeed at least some bit of truth to the statements.

I love seeing when and where my friends are traveling, what's new in their lives. It makes the distance of being apart a bit easier

As far as addiction, Facebook in general is one, not only FarmVille.

And that woman on Dr. Phil was an idiot.

Let me step back a moment and just reiterate that I don't mean any of this to offend anyone, and hope that the most pointed of my statements are taken in the same way... that I'm only trying to make crystal clear why I'm coming to some of my opinions. I certainly am not suggesting that everyone stop playing, or even anything close. In fact, I'm glad I came back, and found a way to do so that it can still be fun, without being overwhelming or addicting.

Glad you shared, and see you on the farm.

 

[timmac]

Glad to see I could at least provide a little entertainment with my over-the-top opinion

 

[chirurgeon]

I am looking for some more Farmville neighbors. I know I have some pending neighbor requests with a few DISers. Any one else who wants to be my neighbor, I'm Kimberly Barron on Facebook. And my photo is me with Chip and Dale.

I need to re arrange my farm again. I just don't have the time these days.


Kim

 

[Madi100]

I just started Farmville the day after I got sick of seeing all the notifications and blocked them. I thought I'd see what it was all about. I like video games. James hates them. But, I do enjoy them and what I enjoy most about them is accomplishing things. So, I like to level up and have a lot of crops and get the collections. Like any other game that I play, I will tire of it after awhile.

 

[Madi100]

By the way if anyone wants to add me in FB, send me a PM.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I went through about a week ago and removed neighbors that hadn't played in awhile -- so if you've started again, please send me another neighbor request. It was nothing personal, just a way for me to spend less time fertilizing everyones crops.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I found Farmville, and most other Facebook games, to be too time consuming and tedious and not fun.

Sorry.

 

[HARVEYSGIRL]

I am so happy that you started this thread. I have met some great people! Thanks for my new Farmville friends!

 

[DVCsince02]

I am so happy that you started this thread. I have met some great people! Thanks for my new Farmville friends!

We DISers are a pretty cool bunch.

 

[Cherinva]

I am looking for some more Farmville neighbors. I know I have some pending neighbor requests with a few DISers. Any one else who wants to be my neighbor, I'm Kimberly Barron on Facebook. And my photo is me with Chip and Dale.

I need to re arrange my farm again. I just don't have the time these days.


Kim

I'll friend you.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

So, for the "consumable buffs" -- I wonder if more can be earned by leaving all your horses outside the stable and then putting them in one at a time to harvest? Probably not, but I might give it a try!

 

[Madi100]

So, for the "consumable buffs" -- I wonder if more can be earned by leaving all your horses outside the stable and then putting them in one at a time to harvest? Probably not, but I might give it a try!

Let me know how that goes. I have no clue how to get that one.

 

[katieam1]

I am on level 24.

 

[The Hendies]

I am looking for some more Farmville neighbors. I know I have some pending neighbor requests with a few DISers. Any one else who wants to be my neighbor, I'm Kimberly Barron on Facebook. And my photo is me with Chip and Dale.

I need to re arrange my farm again. I just don't have the time these days.


Kim

I'll be searching you out on FB to farm with you! Now if I could just get some Disney decorations to put on my farm.....

 

[OKW Lover]

Enjoyed reading this thread. I've trashed all my FB games though. Got really high in Fashion Wars and mastered all the original tiers of Mafia Wars but it was a struggle to maintain my interest. Ultimately I just pulled out of all of them and un-friended a bunch of people game-only friends.

 

[KimDis]

I'm about to drop Cafe World. I was playing it today and it was more a chore than anything else. Waiting to see if this spice rack thing amounts to anything...

 

[katscradle]

I play FB games!
Farmtown I am at the highest level and so I just check in twice a week with that.
Farmville I am at level 44 and it is something I go into a few times a day, but not for long. It's losing it's interest for me as I am having trouble completing some collections, but I do want to get to level 70 so will not give up altogether.
Zooworld I check each morning and spend about 30 minutes.
Tiki Farm i am playing, but just don't know what to think of this game yet.
Country life is one that I am always checking on, I find it interesting as is is about the economics. there are no villas or homes ect. in this game.
Now for the ones I gave up.
Fashion wars
Mafia wars
Vampire wars
Mob wars
Sorority life
Castle age
School of wizardary
and there are probably a few others in there as well.

Now having said this I do not let this control my life.
I still go to the gym everyday.
I still help my little one with reading and homework.
I still plan dinners.
I still take the 2 hours in the car once a week to have my older son privately tutored, along with a whole host of other things.
Do I think I have a problem no, but I came home from a vacation and was very depressed and disillusioned with things. Now my hubby on the other hand hates that I play these games. This is me being me.
I still interact on FB with friends other than games.
Sorry for being longwinded!

 

[mainegal]

I tried Roller Coaster Kingdon (I think that was the name) thinking it would be fun to build an amusement / theme park.

What a bore that one turned out to be.

I am still tending to my Farmville.
I still hope to someday give it up!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Apparently I am now a "Dedicated Farmer" -- who else has this dubious honor?

The new California stuff is cute...can't wait to plant white grapes and poppies!

 

[nmoore14]

I'm level 35 and I agree with everyone on this thread. Farmville is very addicting!