NextGen Farming Simulator

An immersive farming simulator in pre-development that educates and entertains, training the next generation of growers in sustainable and regenerative food production systems, bringing hope for a healthier planet, better food, and more resilient farms.

The Problem

Environment

  • Global agriculture loses 24 billion tons of topsoil annually

  • Over 50% of farmland is moderately or severely degraded

  • 60% of fertilizer applied worldwide is lost to leaching, volatilization, or runoff

  • US Midwest has lost 30-50% of topsoil depth, and ~50% of organic matter (carbon)


Demographics 

  • Aging farmers (average age of farmer is ~60, average age of land owners is 68)

  • Changing paradigms and mindsets is difficult

  • More land will be changing ownership in the next 20 years than anytime in previous history of USA

  • Most farmers and land owners are reluctant to talk about succession plans
    Who will become our future farmers? And how will they be trained?

 
Labor 
Fewer youth entering the workforce with an agricultural background
How can we train the next generation of farm and agribusiness leaders?
How can we empower the next generation with a regenerative and sustainable mindset?

The Solution…

Imagine the following components combined into an entertaining and educational gamification tool:

  • Flight Simulator-like education

  • Farming Simulator-style video gameplay to bring entertainment and simulation

  • Oregon Trail-style of decision and resource management

  • Google Earth-type maps and aerial imagery

  • Serious gamification

  • “40 Chances” book by Howard Buffett to simulate a farming career

Initial audience:  FFA and 4H, 14-18 years old, USA

The Challenge

Agriculture and video game sectors operate in different universes and have little overlap.   The agricultural industry is technically oriented and focuses simulation efforts mainly in agronomic and mechanical dimensions.  Simulations of multi-year compounding effects or gamification rarely occur.

The video game industry has a limited understanding of production agriculture challenges or market opportunities.

Current farming simulator video games for entertainment are limited to one major competitor and are focused on equipment operations.  Farming Simulator has sold over 110M copies/downloads since launch in 2008. The high-quality graphics support a very dedicated fan-base (80-90% male) to operate branded farm equipment, but do not simulate crop or animal growth. The video game contains no storyline and has limited educational components. 

Video games that are focused on training and education are typically structured as non-profits, do not capture the players’ interest and fail to gain meaningful traction.

See ‘Ag Gamification Resources’ tab for additional details and academic articles.

Gameplay to Keep Players Returning

Imagine…

  • You just inherited your grandfather’s farm in western Kansas

  • In his closet, you find photos and maps of the farm during the DustBowl

  • During the 1950-1960’s, the farm was a wheat/fallow/pasture/beef farm

  • Starting in the 1970’s, center pivot irrigation systems were put in, wells tapped the Ogallala Aquifer and crop rotations moved to a corn/soy system.

  • The aquifer level in your community has decreased slightly, but news from neighboring counties indicates there is potential for up to 70% depletion.

  • Have a fun and challenging 40-year farming career by maximizing economic and environmental metrics such soil health, water, and sustainability using directionally-correct algorithms.

  • Battle crop pests, weather, economic cycles, changing environmental and social pressures

  • Grow crops, drive equipment, watch livestock, improve the farmstead, and build your dream farmhouse and farm shop if you have extra funds. Dashboard gauges will visualize environmental, economics, sustainability and mental health.

  • Learn how regenerative practices can make farming more fun and profitable

  • Be a beacon of hope for your community by learning and implementing best practices to improve soil health

  • Leave your farm as a legacy of hope for the next generation

What other contexts should we gamify next?

  • Reducing Midwest USA soil erosion, gaming alternative cropping systems to our current monocrop corn and soybean rotation and improving biodiversity?

  • Reimagining USA’s fruit and vegetable supply reliance on California in the face of increased drought and wildfire?

  • Decreasing nitrogen emissions and reimagining livestock production systems in the Netherlands by increased cooperation between crop and dairy producers?

  • Remember the drought/flood cycle in Valencia Spain in 2024? Could we help prevent another drought and flood cycle in Valencia Spain by gamifying land use change, reimagining cropping systems and implementing regenerative agricultural practices in a Mediterranean environment?

  • I would like to ensure a reliable supply of the coffee and chocolate I love.  Can regenerative practices work in smallholder farms in Africa to increase resiliency for coffee and cacao producers? 

  • Could a group of us play this together to gamify establishment of a cooperative meat processing and marketing business? Or improving a current cooperative structure that needs to be reinvigorated with the art of the possible?

 

Our progress

☑ Concept and vision
☑ Market research
☐ Pre-development
☐ Prototype and Internal Testing
☐ Community Beta
☐ Public Roadmap and Expansion
☐ Launch Planning

Contact Us

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