Elmcreek - Preview of New US Map in Farming Simulator 22
At FarmCon this year, you will see more of Elmcreek, our new map inspired by the North American Midwest landscape. If you missed our thorough talk below, you can look at it to be even more excited about the 22nd of November release of Farming Simulator!
Florian Busse, a senior designer from GIANTS Software explains how Elmcreek arrived, why the farm layout, why the fields are like they are, and more! You can also find the most important facts and brand new impressions below!
What's different from Ravenport?
In Farming Simulator 19, the most obvious difference compared to Ravenport is the US map: the flat landscape has no coastline. Elmcreek has a hidden canyon with a cave that contains large rocks, seamlessly embedded in the countryside.
Also in the "flat" area you will see slight increases and decreases in height. This means that you can drive under our railway line, which passes right through the country with its underpasses, and even drive over them when you cross the railway bridge or certain other bridges on the map that cross rivers and streams.
What else is there to discover?
The focus of Elmcreek is on vast areas of farmland. It is essentially a large industrial area with some residential areas and companies. The infrastructure is still reminiscent of a large city on the map. A gas station, several small businesses, residential areas, even a baseball stadium and a bowling center are located. But also, if you pay close attention, there are some spots to discover that are even special to the seasonal cyclesin the game.
How does the farm layout look like?
We decided to put the farm in the center of the map, so players can stretch across every corner and have every chance of creating their own unique farm. In order to achieve this, we reduced the number of additional decorative buildings in the agricultural area and decided to open and accessible buildings. In this way, you have more space for your own buildings without those you don't have to get in.
The interior of both the garage and the barn has multiple levels. You can drive into and store your cars in the buildings. The storage room for pallets, large bags or other items required for farm operations can also be used. Most doors will fit forklifts, small vehicles, and many other mods you have installed.
What about field shapes and sizes?
At the start of your career, the fields may look small. But remember: you won't have much money in the beginning. And the larger the area, the higher the costs. In total, Elmcreek contains 81 predefined fields, more than we had previously. However, we still have the larger areas typical for the region. And as always, you can merge or create fields at your own discretion. Use a plow to create fields and use your imagination to create your own unique Elmcreek landscape.
Looking at the map, you will notice that there are many different field shapes. Some have rounded edges, some have been totally different in shape. This is a more authentic alignment with the infrastructure and a trustworthy integration. That also means: you're going to have to be more efficient and do more. You will have to cut trees, combine fields and adjust the shape of the field to help you. You determine the best way to be efficient in your farm.
How does it work in multiplayer?
You will see farms you can use in multi-player mode if you explore the map and go to its corners. They have the same layout as the starting farm in the vicinity of small fields. The surrounding fields make it an ideal starting point with later expansion opportunities. Naturally, you can build your own farms, but you want them on any land on the map you own.