FarmVILLE on Facebook

[disneymarie]

http://www.timesleader.com/news/A_virtual_harvest_05-02-2010.html

 

[PrincessKsMom]

WTH is going on with Farmville? I started a co-op last night. Five people joined. Now when I go to the co-op page, it doesn't exist. Doesn't exist for my daugther either. Only lists other ongoing co-ops and ones we can join. I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens when I start to harvest, if the little tracking box pops up, but really, why is it so hard to get this stuff to work correctly?

 

[bicker]

Part of the difficulty is clearly demonstrated by how folks are having problems that other people aren't having. (It seems like the problem you described probably does not fall into this category.) As such, you're talking about something that is not readily reproducible. The fastest and most effective way to fix a problem is to reproduce it reliably, debug it, and then test it. If it passes that test, then you have a very high level of assurance that the problem is solved. If you cannot readily reproduce it, then, in the extreme, you're stuck guessing what the problem may be, taking action that you figure might remedy it, and then testing just to make sure you didn't make things worse, but since you couldn't readily reproduce the problem, passing that test doesn't give you any assurance that the problem is solved.

Contrast this to the earlier problems we (all) had joining co-ops. What was confusing initially was that some people could join co-ops while others could not. However, what became readily apparent was that people who were not having the problem were people would could "see" the starter of the co-op on their neighbor bar and for whom the start could "see" them on the starter's neighbor bar. Given that understanding, it was obvious that the Facebook-driven neighbor visibility issues was causing the problems with the co-op. As far as I know, FarmVille didn't do anything to fix that problem -- it simply went away when Facebook fixed their problems.

And that really highlights another reason why it is "so hard to get this stuff to work correctly" -- the problems you're encountering may not be a problem with the game at all, but may be a problem with Facebook. In a way, relying on Facebook makes the game inherently less robust, but without relying on Facebook, would you really have so many of your friends joining Zynga just to play games? There are games that are self-contained and not reliant on any container server. Those game don't benefit from the camaraderie and collaborative perspective that Facebook itself inspires and supports. I got interested in playing FarmVille only because I kept seeing indications of my wife playing it, on her Facebook page. I would never have been playing FarmVille if it wasn't reliant on Facebook.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Always the voice of reason Bicker.

I just needed to vent my frustrations. Also, until you mention a problem, you don't know if you're the only one, or others are having the same issues and honestly, I don't have the time to go read all the posts on their forum. Thanks again for putting some perspective on the matter.

 

[bicker]

I've updated my message. The problem you outlined is actually being seen by others. As of a change they made overnight.

Check your Job History. People are reporting that all record of previous jobs they did (except ribbons) is gone.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I've updated my message. The problem you outlined is actually being seen by others. As of a change they made overnight.

Check your Job History. People are reporting that all record of previous jobs they did (except ribbons) is gone.

Thanks. I just went over to their Forum and registered. I'm waiting for my email so I can complete the registration and see what others are experiencing.

I'm never going to get that stupid lantern tree.

 

[bicker]

You should join my co-ops... we almost always get Gold.

I'm a bit annoyed about my current co-op. I joined really just to help out. I already have the bonus, and mastery for the crop (pumpkins). Now I have a field for >450 pumpkins, and they probably won't count for anything worthwhile.

We probably weren't going to get Gold anyway. I joined without being contacted by the foreman in advance, without any plan I could see to get enough people together to ensure that we'd be fully seeded within the allotted time (i.e., in that case, the first seven hours after starting the job) and fully harvested within the allotted time. I think that's really why a lot of folks are having non-optimal experiences with co-ops -- inadequate planning by the foreman prior to starting the co-op.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thanks Bicker. Once this mess is straighten out, I just might join you.

Zyngy is also not getting any brownie points for speed. I registered right before I responded to you earlier. An hour later, still no confirmation with registration steps sent to my email to complete the registration process. I guess I erroneously assumed there was an automatic email sent when someone signs up.

I this it's time to be a Nintendo DS.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Stable Stuffing:

I keep all the regular (brown and grey) horses outside of the stable, I only keep the rare horses inside. When a regular horse is 33% or more ready, empty the stable of all horses. Then move the regular horse into the empty stable. This will make the stable ready to collect immediately. Then I add/move all the rare horses and remove the regular one.

Then the waiting begins for the wandering stallion. As soon as one shows on my feed, I get it and go to my farm. Your stable should have your rare horses and the stallion inside. Then collect from it. Sometimes I get the rare foal, sometimes I get a consumable, sometimes I get 5,000 coins.

If I get a rare foal (or consumable), I can post it to certain people's profile or all my friends and they can enjoy it.

After I collect, I empty the stable again and add a regular 33% or more ready regular horse. It will again become ready to collect, and add the rare horses back in again and wait again for a stallion. I always try to keep the stable ready to collect so when I find a stallion I can collect immediately.

I can do this about 12 times a day, or as many regular horses you have at 33% ore more ready.

Anyone can do this to get consumables too, just don't get the wandering stallion. I almost have my blue ribbon for that one. There is no limit like there is with gold eggs or calves.

Wow, thanks for typing all of this out! I don't have any rare horses tho Would I have to buy them with FV $$ ?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I have a question -- hope I can explain this correctly.

Let's say I'm friends with Bicker on Farmville. But my daughter is NOT. Bicker starts a co-op and I join. I then click the button to ask friends to help. Should my daughter be able to join the co-op, or only if she becomes friends with Bicker first?

Thanks for letting me use you in my little example Bicker!

 

[sorcerormickey]

Is anyone having luck breeding Fan Calfs? I have 6 Fan Cows in my barn and have produced 2 calfs so far - no stuffing, just regular daily collecting.

Not a single one of my neighbors has produced any so far. Has anyone been seeing any on their Feeds?

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Is anyone having luck breeding Fan Calfs? I have 6 Fan Cows in my barn and have produced 2 calfs so far - no stuffing, just regular daily collecting.

Not a single one of my neighbors has produced any so far. Has anyone been seeing any on their Feeds?

I haven't seen any so far. But, that really doesn't say much as I miss a lot of things on the feed.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

Is anyone having luck breeding Fan Calfs? I have 6 Fan Cows in my barn and have produced 2 calfs so far - no stuffing, just regular daily collecting.

Not a single one of my neighbors has produced any so far. Has anyone been seeing any on their Feeds?

The only fan calf I've seen was one of yours. I've not seen any others.

 

[bicker]

Let's say I'm friends with Bicker on Farmville. But my daughter is NOT. Bicker starts a co-op and I join. I then click the button to ask friends to help. Should my daughter be able to join the co-op, or only if she becomes friends with Bicker first?

Only the latter.

 

[S. C.]

Is anyone having luck breeding Fan Calfs? I have 6 Fan Cows in my barn and have produced 2 calfs so far - no stuffing, just regular daily collecting.

Not a single one of my neighbors has produced any so far. Has anyone been seeing any on their Feeds?

I've breeded 3 fan calfs.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Only the latter.

Thank you.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I have been having trouble tonight loading FarmVille and it's a pain. Also, a few days ago I started a co-op, and then later when I went to harvest mine didn't count. I checked and it said I was not in it, however when I went to my sons, it showed me there. When the co-op was finished, I didn't get anything. It's no big deal, but it made me kind of mad. I wish they would get all of the problems worked out.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I joined another co-op this afternoon. And guess what? It's disappeared again. I give up. I'm sorry but this is ridiculous. Won't co-op until this nonsense ends. And FWIW, I never got the email from Zynga to finish my registration process, so I would be able to post on their Support Forum.

 

[sorcerormickey]

I've breeded 3 fan calfs.

But, but, but....we're friends....I don't remember seeing them.

 

[FarmerDave]

Farmville should be up and running as normal now, has anyone tried lately? Is there any perminant information loss in your game? Please share.

It was rather frustrating as I was half way through planting a whole mighty plantation full of ghost chili when it gave up on me!

Co-Op is a very very new part of Farmville, so these bugs will be fairly common for the first few months I would assume