FarmVille: What's the big deal?

Something happened in June of 2009 that has changed the way millions of people interact with each other online. A social media game named FarmVille was born.

Over 51 million people actively play the game today. What keeps them coming back for more? We asked the heart of the FarmVille community recently. Here’s a rundown of why just a small fraction of those millions choose to harvest virtual crops and tend to animals and trees every day.

“My favorite part of Farmville? I like visiting the neighbors. I like looking at all the stuff on some farms, watching other farms grow and flourish. I also like visiting the inactive farms (they seem to give a lot of eggs).” – WaxOnWaxOff

“People value virtual property much more highly at times than actual property. This comes into play when you "win" something. It might be worth 1/1000th of a dollar in real life terms, but there's something about getting it free, winning it, or earning it…There is most probably an endorphin gain when you achieve some of these goals: mastery, good production, harvesting, leveling up. People live for these things.” – LifeOnEdge

“For me, I LOVE getting things that I wouldn't be able to get in real life, whether it's because I can't afford it (A HUGE MANSION!) or because it doesn't really exist (I LOVE MY CANDY TREES!). I also LOVE that it's my own little space that I don't have to dust or vacuum, and my kids can't come in and mess it up! Most importantly, I love the friends I have made from around the world who also share my love of the game. These are people I wouldn't have met without FarmVille. People do an awful lot of complaining about Zynga, and I agree that a lot needs to change. But when it comes down to it, the friendships I have made are more important than any complaints I might have. Just my two cents.” –Miss Librarian

“It was something to do, but it’s great to watch the farm evolving. Hate farms that have lots of rows of animals, but lots of people like this so that's fine. I want my farm to look relaxed. Maybe that's it - we can make it what we want - relaxed, competitive, crazy or totally neglected. If I lose a crop I love trying to bring it back ...like asking my friends to help unwither. I have never spent any of my own money and never will, that’s one part I hate. If I had to pay for my farm to survive I know I would walk away. I started off not paying so the spell would be broken. I love my FV friends and speak to some of them often. The joys of the farm.” – pollypepper

“I started playing FarmVille in January of 2010. And I am now at level 94. The joy of acquiring properties like the Villa, Mansion and collectable items made me play more and more. Decorating your own farm with landscaping brings out the creative side of me. My farm might not be one of those farms of the week when it comes to designing, but I’m quite proud of my effort in making and building my own farm.” – rosannaq

And the FarmVille Examiner? I play FarmVille for the love of the game. I am competitive and proud of my level 95 farm. I like collecting animals and shooting for crop mastery signs, and I love being one of the first of my neighbors to complete a new building. I look forward to the game enhancements and I can usually be found clicking on neighbor farms late at night for inspiration for my next layout. The best part for me is definitely finding new neighbors that I can consider new virtual friends.

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So what’s your take on the game? Have you made virtual friendships by playing FarmVille? Do you enjoy the creative part of decorating, the collecting of rare animals, or just simply a space that is completely your own? Let us know below why you keep coming back to everyone’s favorite virtual farming game!

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