The collection has built a substantial following over time, which is hardly surprising given its captivatingly addictive gameplay mechanics and inherent ability to draw players in with its unique participatory loop. The latest installment of the series debuted some time ago, but GIANTS Software is now poised to unveil another iteration with the upcoming release. This new version will boast significant gameplay changes and vital engine updates – the developer’s most substantial behind-the-scenes efforts to date. In preparation for the game’s launch, we recently had the opportunity to pose several questions to the developers about their project.
Discover what we learned from an exclusive interview with GIANTS advertising and marketing director Martin Rabl.
“Our goal was to leverage existing knowledge and expertise to deliver a seamless and engaging gaming experience for our players.”
Since its inception in the late 2000s, the game has undergone repeated improvements – driven more by our commitment to creating the best simulation experience possible rather than a desire to keep up with the latest technological trends. We aimed to leverage existing expertise to optimize our players’ gaming experience.
The GIANTS Engine, as implemented in its various game offerings, comprises a multitude of diverse gameplay components. The authenticity of the game’s visual and audio elements isn’t limited to its machines and atmosphere, but rather encompasses a vast array of details, including the sounds that immerse players, as well as the copious amounts of crop-related data, the intricacies of the in-game economic system, and the habits of both animals and non-player characters. As the driving force behind our decision to create a new instalment, we can confidently state that it wasn’t technological advancements that prompted us to take this step, but rather a desire to introduce fresh gameplay mechanics and elevate the simulation aspects: Building upon the success of, which debuted in 2021.
As technological advancements have accelerated, it’s become significantly easier to craft a more realistic and immersive gaming environment for players to fully indulge in. The enhanced capabilities of modern platforms simplify the process of working with complex shaders, leveraging native performance and enabling more demanding simulations.
The primary motivation behind our improvements is to develop a more authentic simulation of real-world farming practices. Given the diverse scope of our agricultural collection, we will initially concentrate on distinct facets such as animal husbandry and forestry, laying a solid foundation for future exploration.
One feature our gamers have persistently requested is the ability to experience realistic floor deformation. As a result, tractors tend to compact the soil beneath their tires, especially when the ground is damp. Ploughs often disrupt the soil’s surface, creating uneven terrain that can hinder smooth driving. As our collaboration progressed, it became evident that this endeavour had the potential to introduce rice paddies as a novel feature, prompting the creation of an East Asian map.
As our inaugural exploration of this innovative feature, we crafted a vibrant tapestry of Eastern Asia’s breathtaking landscapes and cultural backdrops. The versatility of the advanced GIANTS Engine is showcased through both timeless and modern set pieces, highlighting its impressive capabilities.
That could be a robust query, particularly because it authentically simulates machine behaviors, animal habits, and crop cycles in an enjoyable manner. The balance we need to strike lies between being authentic and avoiding excess costs in technology. Traditionally, our approach focuses on curving corners while prioritizing authenticity, aiming to provide a serene and low-stress expertise for all individuals.
“The primary driver behind our improvement efforts is to develop an even more realistic simulation of real-world farming practices.” Because of this, our collection focuses initially on distinct aspects of agriculture and related disciplines – such as animal husbandry and forestry.
Our team thoroughly overhauled the engine in its final iteration, resulting in significant enhancements to the sport. The graphics component comprises vital enhancements, including variable density simulations and adaptive fog effects; immersive volumetric lighting; nuanced, dynamically cast shadows; refined procedural methods that respond to environmental stimuli; and high-fidelity decal implementations on terrain and machinery surfaces, exemplified by The enhancements include: mud splatter), advanced interactive water simulation with realistic reflections; refined terrain decision-making and detailed mapping that impacts driving physics; intricately designed non-player characters; mesh compression allowing for increased mod slots on consoles; and most significantly, significant improvements to various system efficiencies.
As a result of these advancements, the world presents a more realistic atmosphere while still offering flexibility for modders and players to enhance their experience through the introduction of novel gameplay mechanics, luxurious options, and intricate details such as varied lighting setups on machines, refined machine animations, functioning vehicle dashboards, and emissive light maps.
Despite the numerous optimisations we implemented, we ultimately reached a point where it was no longer feasible to pursue further enhancements that would make the system downward compatible. The significant efficiency enhancements in PS5 and Xbox Series models compared to their predecessors, PS4 and Xbox One, are crucial; this enabled us to introduce a novel lighting system and other upgrades. If we were restricted to using machines over a decade old, with significantly reduced efficiency?
As a result, we decided to abandon our focus on retro consoles and concentrate on contemporary and next-generation trends instead?
While this change may come as an unexpected blow to our loyal customers who have invested in these legacy products, our commitment to innovation compels us to move forward, embracing the latest advancements to deliver even greater value.
During this period, we remain fully committed to staying actively involved. Once the current project is finalized, we’ll consider developing a cutting-edge mobile platform model. Though nothing we are currently discussing makes sense at all.
“Our game’s engine underwent a comprehensive overhaul in its last iteration.”
To optimize gaming proficiency, we must cater to players across platforms, acknowledging that older demographics may struggle with modern visuals and simulation complexity, which necessitates tailored solutions.
We rely on a pristine gaming experience featuring 30 frames per second, accompanied by a rendering resolution of approximately 3,000 pixels by 1,600 pixels on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with the option for upscale rendering at 4K.
