Hey everyone!
I'm the kind of player who sees vanilla Farming Simulator as just the beginning. I can't play without mods, because realism is key for me. And I've always felt that in a game about tractors, the tractors themselves are criminally overlooked. The entire wear system boils down to a single "damage" bar that you just have to refill to avoid penalties. That's not management, it's just an annoying chore.
I've tried many mods, and my favorite was the Realistic Damage System for FS22. It did the most important thing: it hid the vehicle's condition and required time for repairs, forcing you to do some planning. But even that wasn't enough for me.
And so, with no experience whatsoever, I decided to make my own mod for myself. And damn, I got hooked! I'm making it primarily for myself, but if this idea resonates with other realism fans, I'll be happy to share my work.
Here are the key ideas behind my Advanced Damage System (ADS):
1. Two New Stats: Condition and Service
We're replacing the standard "damage" bar with two interconnected systems:
Condition: Reflects the physical wear and tear of your vehicle's key components. Low condition is a direct path to unexpected and unpleasant breakdowns.
Service: Shows how well you're keeping up with scheduled maintenance (oil changes, filters, etc.). Ignoring service significantly speeds up the wear of the vehicle's Condition.
2. Your Driving Style Matters.
Vehicles don't just wear out over time, but based on how you use them. Love to push your engine to its limits, squeezing out every last bit of power? Be prepared for it to get 'tired' much faster.
3. Progressive Breakdowns
The chance of a breakdown is directly linked to the vehicle's Condition. It all starts small (a slight loss of power, increased fuel consumption), but if you ignore it, be ready for a critical failure right in the middle of a field. Specific parts break down: the ECU, the fuel pump, etc., each with its own unique consequences.
4. New Workshop Options.
You can no longer just "fix everything" at once. Now you have access to:
Inspection: A full diagnostic to identify all problems, even hidden ones.
Maintenance: A scheduled and inexpensive procedure to reset the Service counter, helping to keep your equipment in good shape for as long as possible.
Repair: To fix specific malfunctions.
Overhaul: An expensive but comprehensive solution that not only fixes everything but also partially restores the vehicle's overall Condition.
Ultimately, managing your fleet becomes a true strategic task. You need to plan when to send a vehicle for service, decide if it's worth investing big money into an overhaul for an old 'veteran', and simply 'feel' your equipment to catch the first signs of a problem in time.
Like I said, this is a personal project. But if you, like me, are missing this kind of depth in the game, let me know! I'd be happy to hear your thoughts.
Here is demonstration of the repair process, as well as a demonstration of the progression (accelerated) of the breakdown and its impact on the tractor (in this case, a decrease in power):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgAf3ffvq20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOV3TCW_9wM
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