the.com/farming sims
the genre that proves watering digital turnips is more relaxing than real life ever was.
means a video game genre built around planting, harvesting, and slowly building a farm and life on a small plot of land.
from traces back to harvest moon on the super nintendo in 1996, which took the tedium of actual agriculture and turned it into a cozy dopamine loop with a marriage system bolted on.
stardew valley solomade by one person, eric barone, over 4 years
real farmers play themmany report it is oddly accurate, minus bankruptcy
no fail statemost reward patience over skill or speed
for instance
stardew valley — 2016 indie hit that sold over 20 million copies
harvest moon — 1996 snes original that started the whole genre
animal crossing — nintendo's cozier cousin, less crops more debt to a raccoon
story of seasons — the rebranded sequel after harvest moon's naming split