FS25: Riverbend Springs Map
With the release of the pre-FarmCon24 stream on July 3rd, we now have more information and stunning in-game visuals. The latest FarmCon gameplay reveals a detailed map landscape featuring roads, rivers, fields, and forest paths. A new map inspired by North America will be available with Farming Simulator 25, set for release on November 12.
Map developers have provided details about interactive buildings that enhance the game’s realism. These buildings, such as farmer’s markets, interactive shelves, and small selling stands, feature amazing interior textures and have specific uses. For instance, the new Riverbend Springs map includes buildings that can be rebuilt through construction orders, including:
- Farmer’s market
- Interactive shelves
- Small selling stands
- Buildable farmhouses
- New fences
These interactive buildings will introduce new features for the modding community. Giants Software has confirmed that FS25 will have the most modding-friendly engine to date, offering more flexibility for modders to create and share their custom buildings. This will allow for a variety of mods that personalize the game and maps, showcasing significant improvements made by Giants Software to enhance the Farming Simulator 25 experience.
Farmer’s Market
One of the exciting new features is the farmer’s market. While it’s unclear if this will be available on every map, modders will have the capability to add it, and it will definitely be included on the US map. The farmer’s market will feature an interior with interactive shelves and small selling stands. Inside, players will find various interactive areas to sell their products, with goods appearing in baskets as they’re sold. Additionally, a selling stand by the road will offer more opportunities for interaction. Although specific details on how it will work are still unknown, this feature promises to add a new layer of realism and engagement to the game.
Map Environment
Dynamic weather fundamentally transforms the game. Realistic effects like lightning, heavy rain, and their impact on the landscape make the game more immersive. These weather conditions introduce new challenges for growing and caring for crops. For example, heavy rain creates muddy patches and puddles, softening the ground and making driving more difficult.
Dynamic ground deformation is more than just a visual upgrade; it also changes gameplay. Heavy machinery like tractors, harvesters, and trailers can create realistic ruts in the fields. Wet tires and muddy conditions will affect how you operate machinery, adding a new layer of strategy to Farming Simulator 25. Players will need to adjust their fieldwork according to the weather.
Additionally, the map’s natural elements will be updated with new trees, bushes, grass, and ground textures.
Small Productions
The second exciting new feature is the introduction of small production or mini production units. These will function similarly to the existing Production system but on a smaller scale. While we’re aware that new production types are coming to the game, the specifics haven’t been revealed yet.
If you’ve ever used the Yard Production Pack (formerly known as The Farm Production Pack), you’ll understand the concept. Omatan’s mod, the Yard Production Pack, includes mini factories that fit perfectly on your farm, allowing you to avoid investing in large-scale factories. These small production units can produce the same goods as the larger ones, such as milk products, but at a lower output and cost.
This feature adds a touch of realism, as most farms don’t have the capital to invest in full-size factories. The introduction of mini factories means they take up less space and provide a more feasible option for farm production, making it more practical and accessible for smaller farms to diversify their operations without the hefty upfront investment.
Rice Fields in the Map
The three gameplay videos from FarmCon highlight two different types of rice on the US map, along with the machinery required for their cultivation and harvest. To grow rice fields in the game, you’ll need to plant rice and harvest the mature plants. Rice fields need to be flooded with water to support the growth process. Navigating these fields presents new challenges, as the bumps in the clay make driving more difficult.
New crops have been introduced, including spinach and rice, and for the first time, there’s an East Asian map. Water dynamics have been enhanced, calculated in real-time for a more realistic experience. The updated GIANTS engine also promises improved graphics. Additionally, water buffalo will be a new breed of animal available on the Asian map. Here are some screenshots from the Riverbend Springs map presentation.
