A scientifically-accurate farming simulation that bridges entertainment and agricultural education
Coming to Steam 2025

Field Station features real plant varieties with authentic scientific nomenclature and location-specific growing conditions. Unlike typical farming games that use generic crops, this simulation teaches actual agricultural practices while providing engaging gameplay. Designed for professional Steam distribution with full educational integration.

• 🔬 Scientific Accuracy: Real crop varieties with proper binomial naming (genus and species)
• 🌍 Location-Based: Authentic Champaign County, Illinois agricultural conditions
• 📚 Educational Value: Learn soil science, crop rotation, and seasonal farming patterns
• ⚡ Dynamic Systems: Weather events, market fluctuations, and seasonal challenges
• 🎮 Engaging Gameplay: Isometric 3x3 grid with zoom, save/load, and progression systems
• 🏆 Steam Integration: Achievements, Cloud saves, Workshop support, and community features
• 🎯 Multi-Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux via Steam with Steam Deck compatibility

Field Station will be available on Steam with automatic installation, updates, and community features.

git clone https://github.com/seheart/field_station.git
cd field_station
pip install pygame
python3 field_station.py

• Real Science: Every crop includes authentic cultivars grown in Central Illinois
• Educational Focus: Designed for classroom use while remaining fun for casual players
• Data-Driven: Game mechanics based on actual agricultural research data
• Progressive Learning: Encourages exploration of crop combinations and farming strategies

Manage a 3x3 research farm through four seasons, making decisions about:

• Crop Selection: Choose from 8 scientifically-accurate varieties
• Soil Management: Monitor quality, moisture, and nitrogen levels
• Market Strategy: Buy and sell based on seasonal price fluctuations
• Weather Response: Adapt to realistic Midwest weather patterns

Field Station is designed for educational integration via Steam:

• Steam Classroom Features: Easy distribution and progress tracking
• Educational Steam Tags: Discoverable in education category
• Workshop Integration: Share lesson plans and custom scenarios
• Biology Classes: Plant taxonomy and growth cycles
• Environmental Science: Sustainable farming practices
• Geography: Regional agricultural patterns
• Economics: Market dynamics and resource management

• Engine: Pygame for cross-platform compatibility
• Architecture: Modular object-oriented design with comprehensive testing
• Performance: Optimized for smooth gameplay with zoom capabilities (0.3x-10x)
• Save System: JSON-based persistence with versioning support

• Game Strategy: Detailed project vision, design philosophy, and development approach
• Development Roadmap: Comprehensive development plan and feature roadmap
• Game Data: Complete simulation data and crop information reference

./run_tests.sh  # Full test suite
python3 test_field_station.py  # Unit tests only

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Run tests to ensure compatibility
4. Submit a pull request with clear documentation

v0.1 Released - Core gameplay systems complete:

• ✅ Full save/load functionality
• ✅ Dynamic market system with seasonal pricing
• ✅ Extreme weather events (drought, flood, storms)
• ✅ Enhanced UI with tooltips and progress feedback
• ✅ Banished-style tile interaction system

🌱 Where science meets simulation - Developed with passion for both gaming and agriculture

For detailed information about the project vision, educational philosophy, and long-term development plans, see GAME_STRATEGY.md